Press Releases November 05, 2009
First Smilow patient creates excitement, hope
María Rosa Menocal thought she had a lingering cold last summer until she was diagnosed with a rare mucosal melanoma in the base of her nose. After surgery eight weeks ago by Clarence Sasaki, MD, section chief, Otolaryngology, she was scheduled for her regimen of radiation therapy.
At 9:32 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 26, Professor Menocal, the Sterling Professor of the Humanities at Yale University, walked through the revolving doors of Smilow Cancer Hospital, becoming its first patient.
Arriving with her “entourage” of family and friends, Professor Menocal was escorted inside by Johnnie Presswood, specialist, Protective Services, where her radiation oncologist, Roy H. Decker, MD, PhD, greeted her with a bouquet of flowers. Crystal Haynes of WTNH Channel 8 News, which had covered the cancer hospital since it was only an architectural rendering, was on hand to interview her.
After her interview, she and Dr. Decker went downstairs to Radiation Oncology where she will receive treatments that last 15-20 minutes, five days a week for the next six weeks. The radiation precisely targets the site of the tumor while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
At the conclusion of her treatment, the irrepressible professor exclaimed to all that “the machine didn’t squish me!” She then rejoined her family and friends, scooped up her bouquet and headed back – on foot – to the Yale campus.
