Along With Outstanding Care, Christi Found Empathy and Kindness at Northwest Medical Center
3/3/2025
Two years ago – a few days after her diagnosis of Stage 3 breast cancer – Christi arrived at Northwest Medical Center’s radiology department alone, on a Saturday, for a scan to determine if her disease had advanced to Stage 4, or metastatic, breast cancer (MBC).
Christi herself was trained as a radiology tech, so she understood the stakes that day. MBC means that breast cancer has spread to other, distant parts of the body, such as the bones, lungs, liver, or brain. According to the American Center Society, the 5-year survival rate for patients with this kind of cancer is about 32 percent.
“I was scared and unsure of what the outcome would be, with so many things running through my head,” Christi recalls. “And since the department was technically closed, I was literally the only one in the waiting room.”
While Christi was filling out paperwork, MRI tech Justin Campacci came out and sat in the seat next to her.
“He didn't say anything and he didn't need to,” she remembers. “He just sat next to me until I was done with my paperwork and ready to go back with him. I didn't know him, but his just sitting next to me made me feel a little less alone.”
Two years later, Christi still thinks about and appreciates the empathy Justin showed that day.
“I know the brief encounter with the imaging specialist in the beginning can seem insignificant and as though it will probably be quickly forgotten in the grand scheme of things, but as a cancer patient with a new diagnosis, I can tell you this was one of the moments that stood out and meant the most to me out of all the administrative staff, techs, nurses, doctors and specialists I would routinely see and get to know very well over the next 18 months,” she says. “Radiology is the entrance to a scary medical experience where things are still uncertain, and comfort and empathy is needed the most.”
Christi is happy to report that after a year and a half of treatment, she is doing great, and is cancer-free. She’s able to do things she loves, including CrossFit workouts.
“Thank you for being part of my team!” she says to the staff at NMC – and especially Justin.
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