April 11, 2003

Dear Dr. Mongan,

My mother, Elinor Toebes, was a cancer patient at Mass General for a year and a half. Unfortunately, she finally succumbed to the disease last year. She had a very rare and aggressive form of uterine cancer. Thanks to the wonderful care received at the MGH, my mother's quality of life was near 100 percent during her entire illness until the last several weeks of her life. From day one of her diagnosis, she could never get over the compassion and care that she received from every person at the MGH she dealt with. One of my mother's requests to me during her stay at the MGH was to write a letter expressing her gratitude.

My mother had many ups and downs during her illness, as I am sure all cancer patients experience. Most of the "downs," however, were mental anguish rather than physical pain. As far as I know, my mother never really had any bad reactions to the radiation or chemotherapy, thanks to her iron constitution and the advances in the treatment of side effects. Her wonderful doctors — including Najimosama Nikrui, MD, Richard Penson, MD, Thomas Delaney, MD, and Joan Gallagher, MD — helped her not only with her treatment but also her anguish. I accompanied my mother on several of her visits and witnessed how wonderfully the physicians comforted my mother as much as possible. Their bedside manner is second to none and something I will never forget.

I also must single out Marie Elena Gioiella, the social worker assigned to my mother from day one. Marie Elena was very special to my mother and provided her with support and friendship. Marie Elena also helped my wife and I deal with the harsh reality of my mother's condition.

Once a month, my mother's three-day trip to the MGH for her chemotherapy treatment — "Camp Chemo" as she called it — became a part of our lives. Every time I called her or visited the hospital during her numerous stays, she always commented on how hard the nursing staff on Bigelow 7 worked. They were my mother's angels, and she grew quite attached to them. Not until my mother's last hospital stay did I fully understand all that they did for her. From providing fantastic medical attention to making her laugh, the nurses always maintained the utmost respect for my mother. The nurses even found time to talk to me when I would call during the night — truly remarkable.

From the bottom of my heart and my wife's, we extend the warmest wishes and the deepest thanks to the staff at Mass General. Your care allowed my mother to become a Nana and spend precious time with her grandson, Benjamin. For that, there are really no words that say enough.

Sincerely,
Stephen C. Toebes