Lakewood Mother of Five Successfully Treated at Monmouth Hematology-Oncology Associates/Monmouth Medical Center After Rare Cancer Diagnosis

In 2014 S.H. was a healthy mom of four from Lakewood, 32 weeks pregnant with her fifth child. A week later at 33 weeks pregnant, she was admitted to Monmouth Medical Center (MMC), an RWJBarnabas Health facility, where they continued to monitor her for a few days before determining that she needed to deliver the baby. She remembers being nervous, but knew that the NICU at MMC was rated highly and her husband and friends assured her she and the baby were in good hands.

The doctors did one final examination, and S.H.’s OB/GYN, Anthony Giovine, MD, found a mass. Knowing that this was delicate situation, a mother in pre-term labor, S.H. was told that they were going to safely deliver the baby and then biopsy the mass they found.

Later that day S.H’s fifth child, a healthy baby boy was safely delivered. Two days after delivery she received the news she had been fearful of, she was diagnosed with cervical cancer. Her exact diagnosis was small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma, a rare and aggressive subtype that accounts for only 1% of newly diagnosed cases of cervical cancer. These cancers form in the hormone-producing cells of the body’s neuroendocrine system. While these tumors are typically seen in the lung, they can also be seen occasionally in the cervix, prostate and gastrointestinal tract. As a result of this cancer being so aggressive, treatment is often equally aggressive with a combination of chemotherapy and radiation used.

“I remember them telling me about my diagnosis, I had a newborn and four other children, but they said to me, you are going to be fine, despite the rare diagnosis, those words stuck with me,” says S.H.

Dr. Giovine remained calm and assured both S.H. and her husband that he would make sure her care was coordinated and that the specialists at Monmouth Medical Center- Thomas Hackett, DO (specialist in gynecological oncology), Sang Sim, MD (specialist in Radiation Oncology) would work directly with S.H. and her husband to discuss a treatment course of action, but of course he understood they may want to seek another opinion.

S.H’s husband, also S.H., consulted with some friends of his, and having lived most of his life in New York, decided to seek a second opinion from a highly rated hospital in New York City, where he was told the situation with his wife was dire and there was not much they could do. He left that appointment devastated, but remembered that Dr. Giovine had given S.H. a referral to see a physician with offices close by to his home in West Long Branch and Lakewood.

S.H. was given a referral to see Seth Cohen, MD, at Monmouth Hematology-Oncology Associates, PA, in Lakewood. Dr. Cohen, Regional Medical Director of Oncology Clinical Research at Monmouth Medical Center and Monmouth Medical Center, Southern Campus, made her and her husband feel at ease right away. His office is a division of Barnabas Health Medical Group, a multispecialty group practice affiliated with RWJBarnabas Health. “Right away he gave me a good impression. He smiled, he was extremely calm. He said we are going to take care of you, you have a young baby at home you need to do your best to relax and take care of yourself,” says S.H.

Her husband recalls Dr. Cohen saying I want to see you back as a healthy mother that is my goal. “When I heard him say that, I knew that this was the doctor for my wife and that we had moved to Lakewood for a reason. Those words assured me that this was what he was working towards, allowing my wife to return to herself. He knew her tumor was rare, he knew the treatment would be tough, but he and his entire staff were always smiling, always showing the best character, and radiating positivity. We have never met someone like him, he is out of this world, just an amazing doctor,” says S.H. (husband)

S.H’s (patient) treatment course consisted of three months of internal radiation and chemotherapy, and in November 2014 she finished treatment and has remained in remission since then. Both Dr. Sim and Dr. Hackett at MMC saw S.H. every week during her treatment and both she and her husband sing their praises. Their positivity, energy, and patient friendly approach helped guide S.H. and her family through what was a very exhausting and painful time in their lives. They both said the entire MMC health system was absolutely amazing and they were in awe that this was a health system right in their back yard. S.H. (husband) noted that one thing he learned through this experience aside from reaffirming his wife’s strength was that you don’t need to go to large cities to receive excellent care, and he hopes to spread the word throughout his community just how highly he recommends both MMC, and Dr. Cohen at Monmouth Hematology Associates, PA.

Even today when S.H. sees Dr. Cohen for her check-ups she said he makes all the difference in keeping her outlook positive. His optimism and smile never falter. She could reach out to him with any question at any time, day or night, and he would and still does get back to her. The entire hospital staff and physician office staff was there for her and always followed up. S.H. sums up her experience with Monmouth Hematology-Oncology Associates as an extremely positive one, with the end result leaving her beyond happy. While she hopes visiting Dr. Cohen’s office will soon be a distant memory, she would never hesitate to send anyone in need of help his way.

For more information or to make an appointment with Monmouth Hematology-Oncology Associates, call 732-222-1711 or visit https://www.rwjbh.org/mhoa.

About Monmouth Hematology-Oncology Associates

Monmouth Hematology Oncology Associates, a partner of the Leon Hess Cancer Center at Monmouth Medical Center, and division of BHMG, has been delivering the highest level of care for individuals with cancer and blood disorders from more than 30 years. Its renowned, fellowship-trained physicians are on the leading edge of oncology research, biological treatments, monoclonal antibodies and clinical trials. Its services include chemotherapy, supportive care, biological treatments, patient education and access to clinical trials. The practice offers office hours in West Long Branch at 100 State Highway 36 and in Lakewood at 456 Chestnut Street.

[Submitted by Monmouth Hematology-Oncology Associates]

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8 COMMENTS

  1. Really true about Dr. Seth Cohen, he recently treated me for breast cancer,a real mentch! May Hashem send a refuah sheleimah to all cholei Yisroel.

  2. Dr. Giovene is the best. My wife used him for our last 3 (4 ?, 5?) Kids and he’s such a nice, humble guy even tho he has an insanely busy practice. May Hshem continue to grant these Docs the strength, wisdom, insight and passion to continue to do their holy work of helping the population.

  3. I consulted Dr. Cohen before surgery because I had a pre- existing condition, he was was such a mentsch and eager to help and coordinate things with the surgeon. He is top notch and I’m glad he’s nearby to help people who really need his expertise.

  4. I think posting articles of this sort are the HEIGHT OF IRRESPONSIBILITY. When it comes to treating serious illness, there is no place for commercials advertising a product. We are dealing with people”s lives and the only people that they should be consulting is experts in the field not websites that advertise provincial doctors as if they are world renowned specialists. I am surprised at the lack of responsibility.

  5. “We have never met someone like him, he is out of this world, just an amazing doctor,” Really true!
    He’s a real Mentsch without the NY Doctor style ego. He cares, he’s devoted and is exceptionally skilled. Best of all he has no qualms about sending you for a second opinion.
    He is a gift to those who unfortunately need his services. Its a big chesed that he has offices here. V’hameivin Yovin.

  6. longtiime lakewood
    it looks like you a personal agenda against our local docs
    there is nothing wrong to publish and let the comunity know whats goimg on local in our aera and we dont have to travel to the city for any type of treatment.when we have big docs local (looks like you dealing with some organzation that gets kick backs from the city docters)

  7. I’ve wanted to write this comment a few days now and dont know how to put it in words. When i first had to see Dr. Cohen i called the office spoke to his great assistant Merrisa and conveyed that i wanted to see the Dr. now. They didnt have to stop what they were doing just because i was in a panick but they did. She called me back shortly after that the doc said to come now. I did and with his full scheduale evident from the people in the waiting room, he took me in and gave a full ear. As if he was doing nothing else he calmly caringly and patiently put me at ease and set my needs in motion. Just last week at the end of a vist I had to have a hospital time set up. When the assistant told him they were booked for the day he told her to call again and get it set up. I dont know an appropriate one word that would encapsulate my compliments but i can surely say this Dr.is one awsome guy.

Comments are closed.