Oncology doctor treats patients with kindness

December 19, 2005

By JOANIE BAKER
Index-Journal staff writer

At the end of the day, Joanna Sadurski can take off her starched, white lab coat with the navy blue M.D. appliqued on it.
But she can’t take being a doctor off her mind.
It is on her mind when she wakes up at 5 a.m. and exercises on the elliptical machine and when she’s pouring cereal for her kids’ breakfast before swooping them up to go to school.
Even at 3 a.m., when the region’s only oncologist wakes up in the dead of night intuitively thinking she should check on a patient in the morning, being a doctor is always on her mind.
Sadurski has been thinking about medical practice and patient care since she was a little girl swinging her feet beneath the dining room table as she listened to her parents, both doctors, discuss surgeries and patient conditions in her native home in south Poland.
She hasn’t been able to get it off her mind ever since.
That can be difficult for a Self Regional Medical Center doctor who sees as many as 30 patients a day. Especially when her daily battle is with tumors and sometimes incurable cancer areas that are best dealt with by relieving the pain.
“She can never just walk out and say, ‘Oh, I don’t have anything to do’ because her work is just constant,” Nina Trent, an oncology nurse, said.
Trent said she has worked in oncology for 35 years and appreciates the difference that comes with working beside a woman doctor.
“We talk about clothes and hair color and then we get to work,” Trent said. “There’s a little more camaraderie.”
Sadurski said with the help of her nurses and co-workers, she feels at home whenever she is at the hospital. But perhaps that is because she spends up to 12 hours a day making sure she can see as many patients as possible.
Since January, the medical oncologist/hematologist has served six counties by herself. That means almost every cancer patient has been touched by Sadurski, and will continue to be until the expected new oncologist arrives in February.
Though Sadurski could use eight armholes in her lab coat, she only has two to reach out to patients with. But co-workers say she uses them to touch her patients with the same personable approach as if she only had to see five patients a day.
“She goes to people’s houses with Hospice even when she’s off,” Trent said. “She calls patients she’s not even treating anymore to see how they’re doing.”
Oncology nurse Tracie Williamson said Sadurski’s job is not easy, but the doctor has never lost touch with her compassion.
“If she does give bad news, she just dreads it,” Williamson said. “But she always hugs them and lets them know she cares. She’s going to wake up at 3 a.m. and think, ‘I wonder how so and so is,’ and she’ll come in at 8 and say, ‘Call so and so and check on them, will you? Call and make sure he’s OK.”
And to Gloria Daniels, that difference is evident not only in the way Sadurski deals with her husband James Daniels when he is being treated for prostate cancer, but it is even more evident in the way her husband responds to the doctor.
“He’s more open with her,” Gloria said. “He was telling her about how his blood pressure goes up when he goes to other doctors but when he comes here, it’s normal.”
James said he feels better with Sadurski because she really seems to know what she’s doing.
“Joanna is not going to go stale in her job,” said John Pettett, director of Cancer Program at the Cancer Center at Self Regional Medical Center. “She is up on the latest treatment and is always on the cutting edge, keeping our program on the cutting edge.”
Down the hall, on the right, through a doorway there is another woman who also stays quite busy. Kelly Rexrode who works as Sadurski’s scheduler said the doctor is “above busy.”
“The first thing that ever stuck out to me about her was that when she would send her orders out for things to be scheduled, at the bottom she would write ‘please,’” Rexrode said. “That’s when I knew what she was all about. There’s no intimidation there. She’s like a friend. Just like one of the girls.”
But much of Sadurski’s scheduled 10-12 hour day involves weaving in and out of patient rooms delivering a cornucopia of messages to patients who often become friends of hers during their chemotherapy treatments and check-ups.
Sadurski said the most difficult part of her job is to relay bad news to patients, especially young patients, which she said can be heartbreaking.
“If you analyze and hit the right medicine for the right patient and are able to relieve their symptoms, it’s a really good feeling,” Sadurski said. “But if you know there’s nothing else you can do, and you’ve exhausted all options, I like to look ahead and help them through the dying process. People aren’t afraid of actual death but are afraid of the dying process.”
Sadurski has seen many patients come into the program who are not able to afford their care and have even sold their farms and properties just to keep receiving treatment.
“It makes you realize how precious life is and how many things you will go through for that minimal benefit of chemotherapy,” Sadurski said. “It makes me think a lot.”
Though that is difficult, it’s learning about new developments with which to treat patients that keeps her going.
Of course, seeing a patient overcome the odds doesn’t hurt either.
After just a second of thought, Sadurski recalls a 36-year-old patient who was given six months to live after being diagnosed with lung cancer. After undergoing chemotherapy treatments, the patient began taking a new pill. On her next scan, there was no cancer to be found.
“That very moment is what makes oncology so beautiful,” said Sadurski, who admits she herself has changed since she began working in oncology.
“I think I became less concentrated on little things because we should enjoy every second of our lives as the unexpected could happen at any moment.”

Daniels is happy with his position

GHS grad enjoying role duty at Winthrop

December 19, 2005

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal sports writer

Most college basketball players switch schools because they are looking for more playing time. Otis Daniels made a switch in the middle of his collegiate career and now receives less time on the court — and says it was the best move for him.
Daniels enjoyed an outstanding career at Greenwood High School, averaging more than 18 points per game his senior season and playing alongside 2001 Mr. Basketball Brandon Freeman.
After graduating from Greenwood, the 6-foot-5 forward was a two-year starter at Gardner-Webb.
But after two seasons, Daniels decided to transfer to Winthrop University because of his desire to play for coach Gregg Marshall, who has led the Eagles to five NCAA tournament appearances in seven seasons.
However, in transferring to the more successful Winthrop program, Daniels had to accept a new standing as a role player, coming off the bench for short stretches to provide depth for the Eagles.
The senior is averaging 4.4 points and 2.8 rebounds per game, while playing 14 minutes per contest.
“I have no regrets about transferring here from my previous institution,” Daniels said. “At Winthrop, I knew we’d be playing big-time opponents and have a great team and coaches. It’s been everything I hoped for.”
Daniels said he initially had frustrations dealing with being a role player. After leaving Gardner-Webb, Daniels had to sit out the 2003-04 season and it was during that time he realized his function at Winthrop would be different than the one he had at Gardner-Webb.
Sitting a year didn’t slow his game.
Daniels played in all 32 games for Eagles last season, averaging 7.9 points and and 3.1 rebounds per contest.
He helped Winthrop win the Big South Conference title for a berth in the NCAA Tournamen, where the Eagles fell to Top 10 powerhouse Gonzaga in the first round, 74-64.
“Coach Marshall helped me understand how important what I do is to this team,” Daniels said.
“When I come in, I’m expected to bring the energy to another level. I have to use my athleticism to give us a spark.”
Winthrop has already played a pair of big-time opponents this season.
On Dec. 3, Daniels and the Eagles took on No. 18 Alabama in Tuscaloosa and put a scare in the Crimson Tide, falling just short of the upset in a 60-57 loss.
Wednesday, Winthrop took on another SEC opponent. This time the Eagles faced in-state rival South Carolina. Daniels said his team had the game circled on its calendar for quite some time.
“No disrespect to the teams in the Big South, but (the South Carolina game) is the one we’ve been looking forward to,” Daniels said.
Unfortunately for Daniels and the Eagles, the Gamecocks notched a 68-54 win over Winthrop.
Daniels popped in five points and grabbed two rebounds in 15 minutes of action off the bench.
Winthrop has two big matchups remaining - a visit to Auburn Dec. 29 and a contest at No. 5 Memphis Jan. 8.
Daniels said he is proud to be a part of a team that is not a “cupcake” opponent to schools from bigger conferences.
“I always wanted to play for a school from the SEC or ACC growing up,” Daniels said. “Instead, I’m part of a team that plays against those schools. And we don’t just play them, we feel like we can, and should, beat those teams.”
The high-leaping small forward said he has enjoyed playing for Marshall. Daniels said the aspect he most enjoys about playing for Marshall is the coach’s ability to prepare players for life after basketball, as well as the game itself.
As for that life after basketball, Daniels said he is keeping his options open. He is majoring in sports management, and said he would like to get into coaching. He said a conversation he had with former Gardner-Webb teammate and Abbeville native Josh Chiles, now a graduate assistant coach at Furman, turned him onto the idea of coaching.
“I talk to Josh all the time,” Daniels said. “He’s the one that got me thinking about coaching. I think it’s a possibility.”
Daniels said his beginnings playing basketball in Greenwood have parlayed into the positive aspects of his game today. He credited playing AAU basketball with preparing him for the college level in that he had to learn to share the ball offensively with several other good players.
He said playing at Greenwood with Freeman was also good for his collegiate career because be learned to play with a solid spot-up shooter, which comes in handy now as he plays with standout Winthrop guard James Shuler, who averages 14.2 points per game.
Daniels said the Eagles’ goals for this season are clear.
“Nothing against the other teams in the conference, but we feel like we’re the favorite,” Daniels said. “Winthrop always has a big target on our back. We get everybody’s best shot in the Big South. But we wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Opinion

One problem for schools: teachers are overloaded

December 19, 2005

Education gets a lot of attention in South Carolina. It should. After all, education is the key to success and, most of the time, happiness.
There are a lot of problems, too, in and of our schools. They are talked about all the time so there really is no surprise to anyone.
There are always questions, though, and they cover just about everything, from alpha to omega. One question often heard is about an extra penny in sales tax that’s been around for years ….. ever since Richard Riley was governor. At the time, that extra penny was expected to be the savior of public education. We now know, of course, that didn’t happen.
Then came the “education lottery.” That was predicted to be the answer to all school funding problems. From all indications, the lottery has been a prolific revenue producer.

SO, NOW, THERE’S ANOTHER question on the minds of a lot of taxpayers. Why are there still problems in fundamental funding of education?
That’s only one problem, though. Another is the effectiveness of teachers. Outside of those who aren’t up to standards, teachers generally do a good job. Considering what they are asked to do, they do amazingly well.
First of all, teachers are asked to do too much. They are so overwhelmed with paper work, testing and all the other mandates of government they have precious little time to do what they’re there for. That’s teach the things that help students learn. Learning, remember, is what it’s all about ….. or is supposed to be.
Then there’s that little matter of the classroom and the environment in it. Teachers, in too many instances, are used as glorified babysitters. That, too, is an imposition that needs addressing.

THEN, TO BE SURE, THERE’S the discipline question. Teachers should be tougher, right? That, of course, is what many of us think. They should be in control of their classrooms, it’s as simple as that.
Yeah, right! Get tough. Lay down the law. Act with authority. Don’t take what unruly students hand out.
That sounds good. So, go ahead and hand out discipline. First, though, be prepared ….. and have a lawyer handy. The way things are today, a teacher could get sued over what used to be routine discipline.
Spare the rod and spoil the child? That kind of common sense once prevailed in our schools. Discipline, it seems, wasn’t the problem it now is, either. Now the problem is lack of discipline ….. and overloaded teachers.

Editorial expression in this feature represents our own views.
Opinions are limited to this page.

Obituaries

Bertha Bates

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Bertha R. Bates, 96, of 2221 Manse St., formerly of 3312 Ridge Road, Hodges, widow of Edward Bates, died Saturday, Dec. 17, 2005 at Carolina Health and Rehab in Columbia.
Born in Laurens County, she was a daughter of the late James H. Henderson and Ella C. Dendy Henderson. She was a member of Mount Pisgah Baptist Church, Brooklyn, N.Y. where she served as former Chairman of the Usher Board. She was a member of Piney Grove A.M.E. Church where she also served as former Chairman of the Usher Board and was a member of Gate City Chapter of O.E.S. No. 2 Brooklyn, N.Y.
Survivors include a stepdaughter, Grace Thornton of Long Island, N.Y.; a brother, Ernest Henderson of Charlotte, N.C.; a sister, Ethel H. Taylor of Columbia; two stepgrandchildren, reared in the home, Edward Wayne Bates II of Atlanta and Lynn Preston of Hilton Head.
The family is at the home of a sister-in-law, Edvina Henderson, 3315 Ridge Road, Hodges.
Services will be announced by Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home, Greenwood.

Mildred Clark

Mildred Leon Clark, 79, of 726 Pucketts Ferry Road, died December 17, 2005 at her residence.
Born in Greenwood on January 19, 1926, she was a daughter of the late John Robert and Julia Gertrude Shirley Clark. She was formerly employed with the Dixie Store and Cambridge Drug Store in Ninety Six and was a member of Siloam Baptist Church.
Survivors include her brother John Vernon and his wife Peggy Clark of Ninety Six. She was preceded in death by sisters, Ethel Phillips, Lois Phelps, Margie Rushton, Doris Attaway, Edna Turner and Elizabeth “Lib” Calhoun.
Graveside funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 PM Monday at Bethlehem Cemetery with Reverend Johnson Dorn officiating.
The family is at their respective homes.
Memorials may be made to the Siloam Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Siloam Baptist Church, PO Box 373, Ninety Six, SC 29666, in memory of Miss Clark.
For additional information and online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is serving the Clark family.
PAID OBITUARY

Marcella Mundy

Marcella Anderson Cox Mundy, 79, of 118 Woodhaven Court, widow of Albert Carroll Mundy, died Sunday, Dec. 18, 2005 at St. Francis Hospital in Greenville.
Visitation is 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services.
The family is at the home of Robbie and Kellie Sweezy, 116 Pine Circle in Lakewood Heights.
Services will be announced by Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

Wilma Wardlaw

Services for Wilma Wardlaw are 2 p.m. Tuesday at Springfield Baptist Church, Edgefield, conducted by Bishop Emanuel Spearman, assisted by the Revs. Andrew Harris, Doris Brooks, Jerry Brown, Fannie Clark and Annette Edwards. The body will be placed in the church at 1. Burial is in Springfield Baptist Church Cemetery.
Pallbearers are Greg Harris, Terrence S. Butler, Gerald Coats, Greg Wardlaw, Bryant Wardlaw and Roy Parks Jr.
Flower bearers are Vernel Fuller, Tamika Wardlaw, Evette Hart, Marie Cunningham, Angela Butler and Connie Martin.
The family is at the home.
Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home is in charge.

‘Lowrie’ Williams

ABBEVILLE — James “Lowrie” Williams, 80, of 293 Cochran Road, husband of Kathleen Fleming Williams, died Saturday, Dec. 17, 2005 at his home.
Born in Abbeville County, he was a son of the late James Gillespie and Sara Gilbert Williams. He was a retired textile employee with the Harris Plant in Greenwood, a mason and a member of the Clinton Lodge No. 3 AFM where he served as the lodge chaplain. He was a member of the Due West Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife of the home; a sister, Dot Fleming and a brother, Charles Williams, both of Abbeville.
Services are 4 p.m. today at the Due West Baptist Church, conducted by the Rev. Bob Philyaw. Burial is in the First Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.
Visitation is 1:30-3:30 p.m. today at The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to Hospice Care of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Ave., Greenwood, S.C. 29646.
The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.chandlerjacksonfh.com

Julia Hall Williams

Julia Hall Williams, 83, of 1308 Oglesby Ave., widow of Rev. W. B. Williams, died Saturday, Dec. 17, 2005 at the home of her daughter.
Born in Ninety Six, she was a daughter of the late Wallace Hall and the late Mary Robinson Hall. She was a member of Weston Chapel A.M.E. Church, Missionary, Triblock Community Club and the Minister’s Wives Alliance.
Survivors include two daughters, Bonnie Joe Sanders, Chicago and Mary W. Richardson, Due West; two sisters, Leda “Candy” Brunson and Lola Pratt, both of Washington, D.C.; seven grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Robinson & Son Mortuary, Inc.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at robson@nctv.com