New Milford Hospital Staffers Detail Personal Survivor Stories

NEW MILFORD — Alice Leonard of Torrington has a habit of walking into a situation and leaving it better than she found it.

A scheduling coordinator in nursing at New Milford Hospital and a licensed paramedic, Leonard said her family life changed forever when her husband was diagnosed with cancer, specifically non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, in 1999.

“From that moment on, we looked at our lives differently. We thought, ‘We don’t have all the time in the world.’ It seemed that everyone we talked to had been touched by cancer,” explained Ms Leonard.

Now a survivor of more than eight years, Heath Leonard has seen his wife stimulate hope not only close to home, but also throughout New England and for cancer survivors everywhere.

In 2002, she answered a call for volunteers for the first American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Northwest Hills. Alice called family members and said, “We’re doing this.”

Nearly everyone took her seriously — her mom, husband and children, siblings and their spouses, nieces and nephews, and others. The next year, she joined the planning committee having had such a positive experience, and supported Relay For Life for the next four years — the last two as a co-chair.

This year, her family’s participation hit an all-time high with two teams comprising nearly 30 relatives.

“Those who don’t walk help us get organized, and make sure everyone is well-fed,” Ms Leonard explained.

This year, as Ms Leonard headed into her fifth volunteer year, she was asked to apply to the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life New England Task Force. With many applications received, Ms Leonard became one of only 20 volunteers selected to join the task force, which also includes four Cancer Society staff members.

During her three-year term, she will help cultivate volunteers throughout the New England states.

“The task force strives to motivate volunteers and develop training for them to support outreach with the American Cancer Society. I am very proud to have been accepted to the task force, and for the opportunity to work with the society’s staff and volunteers,” said Ms Leonard.

On her first assignment in September, she traveled to Dallas for an international leadership summit on cancer advocacy, education, and outreach. There, she gathered ideas to bring home to support New England Relay For Life events, and to help individuals and families facing cancer.

“I met people from all over the world, and gained loads of insights, ideas, and experiences to make Relay For Life even better,” said Ms Leonard.

“I am most excited about making a difference in Litchfield County, where we have three events planned in New Milford, Shepaug, and Northwest Hills,” Ms Leonard added. “I am excited to be a resource. I had the choice to be sad all the time or to do something positive. I am glad I chose the latter.”

At 49 years of age, Anne Waldman, RN, of New Milford was physically active, watched her weight and ate a healthy diet. Her cholesterol was normal, and she seemed an unlikely candidate for the heart attack that hit her suddenly as she returned home from a family outing in 2004.

The tall, veteran operating room nurse with gentle eyes spoke calmly as she described the situation.

“The chest pain was sudden, and I could feel it going down my arm. I was inclined to act quickly, but I realize that many people do not. They deny their symptoms,” Ms Waldman said. “Now, I preach to my coworkers. I tell them to eat healthier and to listen to their bodies. I hope they are taking me seriously.”

Now 52, the mother of two daughters is well-versed in working through health problems one step at a time. She underwent emergency angioplasty in 2004, receiving two stents to restore blood flow in her heart.

When she was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2005, she literally worked through the illness.

“Cancer was a different experience,” Ms Waldman said. “The treatment was 18 months long, and I felt that God was testing me. With cancer, there was so much I didn’t know; I had to put it in a separate place. I didn’t want it to be a part of my life.”

Ms Waldman feels differently about cardiovascular disease.

“Heart disease has motivated me to do more as a nurse and as a person,” she explained.

Following a subsequent angioplasty to correct another heart blockage earlier this year, Ms Waldman learned about a prestigious national seminar from a coworker in Cardiac Rehabilitation at New Milford Hospital.

Through a formal application and series of essays, Ms Waldman became one of only 60 women selected by WomenHeart — the National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease — to attend its 6th Annual Science and Leadership Symposium at the renowned Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., in October.

This competitive leadership training for women with cardiovascular disease includes four days of seminars, workshops, advocacy, and media training to develop skills for community education and outreach. In addition to prevention and treatment of heart disease, Ms Waldman also will learn relaxation techniques such as tai chi and yoga.

Once home, she is expected to share what she’s learned through community education.

Jackie Markham of Kent conceived of the idea for WomenHeart after she had a heart attack in 1993 and had her life saved at New Milford Hospital. She co-founded the organization in 1999, and it has now helped tens of thousands of women with heart disease through education, support and advocacy. Jackie is now on the board of New Milford Hospital and continues to serve WomenHeart in as president-emeritus.

“I sent applications to our Mayo Seminar to Joe Frolkis, president/CEO, and Sue Iovino, COO at the hospital, hoping that they would be circulated, and that someone would apply,” Ms Markham said. “I’m thrilled that Anne was accepted. Based on her experience, courage, and passion to help others, both Anne and the community will benefit from her attending the seminar. We hope we will attract other women in our area to apply in the future.”

While sponsorship from New Milford Hospital and WomenHeart will help Ms Waldman toward her goal, it is her desire to help others that is sure to make her succeed.

“When you have a passion for something, it usually comes easier than something you are told to do. I have firsthand experience and want to help other women who are facing heart disease,” Ms Waldman said.

“I stepped right out of nursing school and into the OR,” she added, “It’s been a very gratifying career, but this new opportunity to educate others really has me excited.”

WomenHeart is the only national patient advocacy organization serving the eight million American women living with heart disease. It provides support, information, and advocacy to improve quality of life and health care — including early detection, accurate diagnosis, and proper treatment.

WomenHeart offers support networks in nearly 40 US communities, as well as national educational seminars and membersh                          ip conferences. For information, call 202-728-7199 or click on: www.womenheart.org.