“If it wasn’t for Dr. McKenzie, I’d be dead”, is what Agostino Romano said after his experience at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. Mr. Romano has been a patient of Dr. Katherine McKenzie for the last four years. He was first seen by her to treat perforated appendicitis in 2021. During this time, Dr. McKenzie observed that Mr. Romano wasn’t responding well to standard treatment. She suspected an underlying malignancy and investigated further. Dr. McKenzie diagnosed Mr. Romano with a rare and aggressive cancer called Burkitt’s lymphoma.
Mr. Romano received treatment for the cancer and has been in remission. He returned to see Dr. McKenzie for surgery, an abdominal wall reconstruction with a component separation in 2023. He recovered and is doing well. He continues to see Dr. McKenzie every four to six months. He is back at work and has been able to resume his passions which include cooking and sharing Italian food. He has even made trips to see his family in Italy.
“I wouldn’t go to any other hospital. I’ve formed a bond with them,” Mr. Romano said of Dr. McKenzie and her team. Born in Italy, Mr. Romano lives with his wife of 30 years in Ozone Park, Queens. Despite the surgeries and cancer diagnosis, Mr. Romano keeps a positive perspective: “I have nothing but great things to say, even in the dark times.”
All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.