Getting Patients Like Lynne O’Reilly Back to Her Active Life and Full Schedule is What St. Joseph’s Strives for Each and Every Day

Lynne O’Reilly didn’t have time to get sick. After retiring, the former advertising executive was enjoying traveling to see her children and grandchildren, meeting friends for lunch and dinner, and volunteering at her church, where she runs their ladies’ group, The LAFFS Ladies: Ladies with Active Families and Full Schedules. Turns out that’s a perfect description of Lynne.

But in the summer of 2024, a surprising cancer diagnosis threatened to take it all away from her. Lynne started to experience tingling in her legs that eventually spread to the rest of her body.

“I wasn’t in pain, and it didn’t stop me from doing anything, but obviously it made me very worried,” she shares. “I went to my primary doctor who referred me to a neurologist.”

Although her appointment was only a few days away, as the tingling worsened, so did Lynne’s nerves. She wound up going to the emergency room at St. Joseph’s Hospital.

A CAT scan revealed a mass on her right lung. A biopsy confirmed a frightening diagnosis: stage 3 small cell lung cancer that had also spread to Lynne’s lymph nodes. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S., but now more patients than ever are living longer, healthier lives after being diagnosed with the disease.

Lynne was inspired to choose St. Joseph’s Hospital because of the unwavering support she received during a previous hospitalization. Over twenty years earlier, St. Joseph’s Hospital was there for Lynne when she’d suffered a stroke in her 50’s. She had no doubt they’d get her through this challenge, too.

For three months, St. Joseph’s Hospital became her home away from home. She was treated with a combination of chemotherapy and radiation, and Lynne appreciated the sincere caring her doctors demonstrated.

“My doctors kept me informed of every detail, explained the plan for my care clearly, answered all of my questions, and treated me with such warmth and compassion that I knew everything was going to be okay,” says Lynne.

Lynne credits her oncologist, Dr. Luiz Marconcini with making her feel comfortable and supported throughout the process. “He found my cancer and explained everything to me immediately. I had full confidence in his ability and his honesty.”

And while Lynne is quick to credit the expertise of her medical staff, she is equally enthusiastic about her interactions with everyone from housekeeping to reception to the maintenance staff – even complimenting her daily meals!

“Every single person there honestly cares about you as a person. Of course, no one wants to be in the hospital for three months, but I really couldn’t have asked for a better experience.”

Two weeks before Thanksgiving, Lynne was given an incredible blessing when she learned her cancer was gone.

“Can you imagine that?” Lynne asks with a smile on her face. “That’s why I am so grateful to St. Joe’s and would never go anywhere else. They have never let me down.”

Today, Lynne feels “fabulous”.  Each month she returns to St. Joseph’s for bloodwork, immunotherapy treatments and every four months she gets a CT scan and brain MRIs to ensure she is doing well. Even those visits are a pleasure according to Lynne, filled with coffee, hugs, and friendly chit chats with the nurses and other team members. Lynne was so thrilled with her outcome that she brought treats for her care team to express her gratitude for their care.

Thanks to St. Joseph’s Hospital, Lynne is back to doing all the things she loves and even planning a trip to Europe.

“As far as I’m concerned, I’m a walking talking miracle, so I am making the most of every minute. I couldn’t be more grateful to St. Joe’s not only for the excellent medical care I received, but for the support they gave me during one of the most difficult times of my life.”

Visit our website to learn more about Beyond Gratitude, the St. Joseph’s Hospitals Foundation grateful patient and family initiative.