Mission Moment: Providing The Best Experience Possible To Our Patients

PATIENT PROFILE – PETER PATTON

“MIDDLESEX HOSPITAL SAVED MY LIFE.”

Most people would be discouraged after five hospital admissions in one year, treatment for cancer, a mysterious fungal infection, multiple drug trials and weekly blood tests. But Peter Patton recounts his year-long health struggles with a smile, and a deep sense of gratitude, saying “Middlesex Hospital saved my life.”

A geology professor at Wesleyan University, Peter regarded himself as fit and healthy. He spent countless hours studying rivers as a fluvial geomorphologist, with students and for his own research; fly fishing on the Salmon River or during trips to Alaska; and tending a flower and vegetable garden with Elsie, his wife of 40 years. But a bout of diverticulitis led to the discovery of a cancerous colon polyp, surgery, and an unexpectedly slow recovery. Turns out, a long ago fungal infection, probably contracted in the field, had become a serious condition. While fungal infections can be rare, Peter’s infection was even more unusual as it was found in his adrenal glands and had the potential to spread to other organs.

It took numerous biopsies, pathology studies and drug trials to identify and begin to have an impact on the infection. Throughout that time, Peter became an Internet sleuth, researching historical cases of fungal infections and presenting them to his physicians for input. “I had great conversations with all of my doctors. They were willing to listen to me and were even open to my suggestions as to which direction my treatment should take.”

When recalling his stays as an inpatient at Middlesex Hospital, Peter emphasizes the incredible staff. “I can’t get over how wonderful they were. The staff was so good-natured about working with someone who is so ill, in such pain. They developed such a rapport with me and the other patients on my unit. And the food was amazing. I still remember the sugar cookies!”

Peter feels incredibly lucky to have been able to access world class care at Middlesex Hospital. “I sought a second opinion but was given the same advice I was getting at Middlesex. In the past, the attitude was that you had to go to Boston if you had something serious. But now we have the resources here. I am grateful to the team of doctors and caregivers at Middlesex Hospital who work so closely with each other.”

After months of intensive medical care, Peter continues to see his team of doctors for monitoring visits, along with routine primary care. Now, he can delve into the next chapter of his life and career. With plans to retire at the end of the 2017 academic year, he has already begun research about a Wesleyan University alumnus and founder of the Geology Department in the 19th century, William North Rice