Cancer Fighters Thrive is a quarterly print and online magazine bringing readers practical, innovative and inspirational information about cancer treatment and survivorship.
Issue link: http://cancerfightersthrive.epubxp.com/i/259111
36 cancer fighters thrive | spring 2014 cf thrive. com BRIAN WYATT Interventional Radiology Technologist Cancer Treatment Centers of America Tulsa, Oklahoma W hen Brian Wyatt meets cancer pa- tients in his work as an Interven- tional Radiology Technologist, he can relate to a thing or two about the challenges they may be facing. Wyatt was diagnosed with stage IV nasopharyngeal carcinoma when he was 16, at the end of his sophomore year in high school, and it was his journey with cancer that led him to his current career. "With my history as a cancer survivor, I had always wanted to work with cancer pa- tients," Wyatt says. "I wanted to encourage patients who are battling cancer by telling them that it can be beat and that there is life after cancer." Wyatt's passion to help other patients led him to pursue an associate's degree in radiologic technology directly after high school. He later received a bachelor's degree in radiologic technology from the Univer- sity of Oklahoma and just recently fnished his second bachelor's degree in a radiolo- gist physician's assistant program. After working in interventional radiology at two other hospitals in Oklahoma, Wyatt joined CTCA in Tulsa in 2004. Now Wyatt works directly with patients, placing PICC (peripherally inserted central catheter) lines and assisting with various tasks within the Interventional Radiol- ogy Department. He is inspired by the opportunity to work closely with patients and share both his professional skill and his own hopeful story. It is gratifying when patients tell him that he has made a differ- ence in their feelings about a diagnosis. "I have had several patients fnd me and thank me for talking to them during a procedure," Wyatt says. "One man told me that he was devastated and scared about what was go- ing to happen after he was diagnosed. As I worked with him, I talked to him and told him my story of survival. He later told me that the calmness in my voice and my shar- ing my story changed his whole outlook and approach to fghting cancer." Wyatt says it is also rewarding to work in an environment wherein patients are cared for by a team of experts working together. CFTHRIVE.COM Did you know you can subscribe to Cancer Fighters Thrive through the website, cfthrive.com? You can also access many delicious and nutritious recipes, find cancer resources and read exclusive articles you won't find in the magazine. Log on now for more information. Blueberry Millet Oat Muffns BEHIND THE SCENES cftSp#23vky.indd 36 2/3/14 11:16 PM