Joliet Woman Still Enjoying Life Thanks to Successful Cancer Treatment at Silver Cross

Patricia Vann doesn’t remember where she was headed when she slipped on the front stairway of her Joliet home and broke her leg. But as painful as was the injury and the recovery, that fall may have saved her life. 

As they were treating her leg, doctors at Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox found cancer in the bones of her limb. Cancer was no stranger to Vann. 

“I had been treated several times for the past 15 or 20 years at Silver Cross for breast cancer,” she said. “It would go away, it would come back, I’d get radiation and chemo and it would go away. 

“I didn’t have any symptoms of cancer in my bones. And the regular mammograms I had showed nothing.” 

After she was sufficiently healed from her broken leg, Vann began getting radiation treatment and chemotherapy under the care of Dr. Sunil Narula. He specializes in oncology and hematology at The University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center, now celebrating 10 years at Silver Cross’ Carolyn J. Czerkies Pavilion. 

“Dr. Narula saved my life,” Vann said. “He is just so wonderful. And the staff at Silver Cross was wonderful. I met so many new people and made so many new friends.” 

And since Vann no longer can drive, she said having the regular cancer treatments so close to home also was a godsend. 

“It’s just a little ride up the road, and they take such good care of me. 

“I did just go for a scan, and they found a little spot on my breastbone. Dr. Narula said they would zap it with some radiation, and that should take care of it. 

“I really have been so blessed with Silver Cross. I need a wheelchair because of my leg injury. But I can bathe myself, get dressed, cook. I go to an exercise class and bingo a couple times a week. 

“I was at death’s door a couple times. But, thanks to Dr. Narula and Silver Cross Hospital, I’m still enjoying life.” 

For more information about cancer care at Silver Cross, please visit silvercross.org or call 815-300-1400.