With a grateful heart, Chaplain Chad McCain expresses his appreciation for compassionate Centra Caregivers after a challenging diagnosis.
As a chaplain with Centra, Chad McCain is there for patients and families during some of their darkest hours.
He never expected to be a patient facing a serious diagnosis and in need of support. Then he found a lump in his neck.
“I thought it was just from a cold,” said Chad, who served as Navy chaplain and pastor before joining Centra. “One thing led to another. I had a biopsy, which turned out to be follicular lymphoma,” a form of non-Hodgin’s lymphoma.
The father of three remembers where he was when he received the news. “It was a Thursday,” he shared. “I was on my way to Acute Rehab to support the stroke group held there. I don’t remember the rest of the day.”
After Chad’s diagnosis, a plan was put in place by his team at Centra Alan B. Pearson Regional Cancer Center that included monitoring and, eventually, chemotherapy.
He credits God, Caregivers at Pearson Cancer Center and his fellow chaplains with getting him through one of the most challenging periods of his life.
“They saved my life, even beyond cancer,” Chad said. “The nurses and staff were there for me, they cried with me, helped me and answered all my questions, calls and emails. They were there in some of my darkest and loneliest hours. I want to give them a shout-out and my deepest gratitude for their care and help.”
One moment in his cancer journey Chad says he will never forget is ringing the bell in the beautiful courtyard behind the cancer center to signal the end of chemotherapy. Although it was “a day of mixed emotions,” he was thankful to be done – and thankful for those who walked along with him on the journey.
“My chaplain colleagues Emily and Christina showed up on my last day of chemo,” Chad said. “They sat with me, cried with me, prayed with me, laughed with me.”
As a chaplain who now also has the experience of being a patient, Chad wants patients and families to know this: “You are never alone, even when it feels that way. There are people in your corner.”
A chaplain is available around the clock at Centra to support patients and families. Chaplains can provide support in crisis situations, visit with patients and families, provide bereavement ministry, act as a liaison and more.
Reflecting on his journey, Chad shared that it is important to him to practice gratitude. He recently shared his story and appreciation for Centra Caregivers as part of that practice.
“I have learned,” he said before pausing. “No, scratch that, I am learning that gratitude is a good practice – in good times and bad, in want and in plenty. It is important to me to try to be thankful and content no matter the circumstances.”
Have you or a loved one received excellent care at Centra? Saying ‘thank you’ and expressing your appreciation by sharing your personal words of gratitude can uplift your dedicated team of Caregivers, be a powerful part of the healing process, inspire generosity and impact patients.
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