An unexpected diagnosis allows time for closure

The patient, as Monica Lederman could see, had trouble getting comfortable.

She sat gingerly in her chair, leaning right, then left, back and forth, trying to find relief.

Lederman, a physician assistant at UCHealth Urgent Care – Garden of the Gods, picked up on her patient’s distress right away.

The woman told Lederman she had a nagging pain in her joints and her back was bothering her. She said she’d been in and out of clinics for a multitude of medical issues, including a headache and a blood clot in her leg, but assuaging the pain had, so far, been elusive.

“What kind of took me off guard is a lady of her age and her demeanor had lived a long enough life to know what pain feels like and how to manage pain,’’ Lederman said. “I thought, ‘Well, after reviewing previous x-rays that were negative I needed to help her get to the bottom of whatever it was that was causing this discomfort.’’’

A physician assistant for 18 years, Lederman sees dozens of patients a day. Months after the woman came to the urgent care, though, she can still picture the patient. She was in Room 3.

Upon first glance, Lederman noticed her discomfort. They more they talked, Lederman thought that something just wasn’t adding up medically.

“Every day, I see patients and I always do my best to listen. I always try to listen to hear them. You don’t listen to respond because there is a big difference in listening to respond and listening to hear and to understand.

“With this patient … I couldn’t quite connect the dots as to what was going on. I just kept asking questions and kept trying to listen and understand.’’

Lederman decided more images were needed, then turned to her patient and said: “So, I’m concerned about a blood clot in your lung. You’ve already got a blood clot in your leg, so I want to send you over to the ER for further testing to see if you may have a clot in the lung causing this unrelenting pain.’’

The patient went straight to the emergency department at UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central. Less than 24 hours later, the woman was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer, a shock to the woman’s husband, family and friends.

Lederman, who had grown up on a dairy farm in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, learned to care for people – and animals – at a young age. Her parents helped others often and led by example. Her dad would help his Amish neighbors cut hay; and her mom always delivered a homemade meal to a neighbor who had surgery or had given birth to a new baby.

A UCHealth employee whose mother accompanied the patient to the urgent care, wanted to recognize Lederman for the difference her kindness had made.

“Monica gave her a gift by assisting with the detection of her cancer. This diagnosis allowed (the patient) two weeks to say her goodbyes to her husband and closest friends and family. It allowed for closure, as much as you can obtain in such a short amount of time.’’

“It allowed for (the patient) and my mother to decorate her home for Fall one last time. Had this not happened, last goodbyes and last hugs would not have been able to happen, and she would not have experienced those last unforgettable embraces.’’

“My family is forever grateful.’’