Though diagnosed in 1997 with multiple sclerosis (MS), an autoimmune condition that can cause weakness, numbness and lack of coordination, Woodfork had never experienced any of those issues. But during post-surgery rehab to help strengthen her legs, her physical therapist noticed weakness that indicated something wasn’t right. Woodfork was admitted into the intensive care unit for heart and respiratory failure.
After slowly recovering, she went back to rehab to prepare for the next step in her cancer treatment: radiation.
“A friend recommended I get care in a major metropolitan area, closer to thoracic cancer experts,” she said. “Because I’m from Massachusetts originally, I considered Mass General, but I knew I would get great care much closer to home at Fred Hutch. I met with Dr. Jing Zeng, who was such a good listener. Very professional and kind. She recommended proton therapy.”
Zeng specializes in radiation oncology for thoracic cancers and was the past medical director of Fred Hutch Cancer Center – Proton Therapy.
“I recommended proton radiation for Ms. Woodfork because the location of the cancer is right in front of the heart,” said Zeng. “With proton radiation, we can significantly reduce the radiation dose to the heart, as well as other normal organs in the region, such as the lungs. With less radiation hitting the healthy tissues, we hope patients will have fewer side effects from radiation treatment, such as heart-related problems, both short-term and long-term.”
Woodfork’s insurance initially denied her therapy.
“But the appeals coordinator did a wonderful job and was able to reverse the denial,” she said. “My treatment was covered.”
She started proton therapy in July 2024 and felt the process was relatively easy. She experienced some irritation in her throat during treatment, but her overall health is improving. The hardest thing about the process? Getting up on the table due to her weakened core muscles.
“The radiation techs and the nurses were fabulous and incredibly helpful,” she said.
While in Seattle for treatment, Woodfork was able to connect with several former students she’d advised over the years.
“I used to attend their baseball games and now they gave me rides to and from treatments and took me out to dinner,” she said. “It was so tremendously helpful."
Woodfork finished proton therapy in August 2024 and while her follow-up scans are clear, she has experienced some changes to her voice. She still does physical therapy for her MS symptoms and said once she’s feeling fully recovered, she plans to return to her passion: travel. Number one on her list is Laos. She’s been a few times to neighboring Cambodia and now wants to further explore the region.
Her advice for others?
“We’re at a point in society where there is a lot of questioning of science and expertise,” Woodfork said. “There’s this sense of ‘I know better.’ But you need to trust the science. Things felt iffy before I got to Fred Hutch, but I talked with the doctors and the staff, and I felt like they were a group of people who understood, who listened and who had the expertise to get the right thing done.”
And she also reminded others that silver linings do actually exist.
“I can actually say that COVID saved my life,” she said.
