Iris Mathis was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009. Her cancer eventually resurfaced, and Iris was diagnosed a second time in 2019.
“When I first came in and was diagnosed the second time, I was terrified because I didn’t know anything about chemo or what the treatment plan was going to be," she says.
Iris was cared for by BMC medical oncologist, Dr. Naomi Ko and nurse practitioner Nebulla Stephen. They made sure that no question was left unanswered.
“Dr. Ko made me feel more secure and took the time and the patience to really talk with me," she says. "If I was ever in doubt about something, she made sure that she got the answer I needed and she would never waver about getting the information for me”
When speaking on exceptional care, Iris was quick to praise Dr. Ko’s warmth and goodwill. Being treated simply as a patient is never enough.
“She don’t treat you like a patient,” said Iris. “She really treats you like family and she takes the time to talk to you, she’s never in a hurry to get through a conversation ... I love her spirit, I love her kindness.”
“She don’t treat you like a patient,” said Iris. “She really treats you like family and she takes the time to talk to you, she’s never in a hurry to get through a conversation ... I love her spirit, I love her kindness.”
Iris is currently going through treatment, as BMC continues to be with her every step of the way.