OXNARD : Illness Gives Nurse Insight to Patients

After being in the health-care profession for more than 20 years, Linda Dobson thought she was tuned in to the anxieties of her patients. That is, until she became a patient herself.

In December, 1989, Dobson, a nurse at the St. John’s Surgical Center in Oxnard, was diagnosed as having breast cancer. In May, she learned the cancer had spread to her bones.

Dobson said her disease, her continuing chemotherapy and radiation treatment, and the associated side effects, have enlightened her.

“I understand the patients’ nervousness,” Dobson, 46, said. “It’s helped me to be empathetic. I thought I was before, but I understand much more now.”

It is Dobson’s concern for people, said her cousin, Sue Chadwick, that inspired family members, friends and other county residents to donate money to the American Cancer Society in her name.

The grass-roots fund-raising effort, which Chadwick helped kick off last May, raised $2,370, more than double the original goal. Much of that money came from the sale of buttons honoring Dobson.

A check will be presented to the Ventura County chapter of the American Cancer Society at tonight’s board meeting at the Financial Plaza Hilton in Oxnard. The money will go toward research, education and patient services, said Sharon Satterfield-Jones of the cancer organization.

“Linda is a very caring person--she just cares about people,” Chadwick said. “My theory is, when you care about people, they are going to care about you as much, if not more.”

Dobson spent the early days of her own illness caring for someone else. Her father, Jeremiah Dobson, also was diagnosed with cancer in 1989.

“I knew someone had to take care of him,” she said, “so I had to get well.” Dobson’s father died in 1990. Her mother died of breast cancer in 1989. At this time, bone cancer is not curable.

Today’s Cancer Society dinner-meeting will begin at 6 p.m. Admission is $25 and is open to the public. The Hilton is located at 600 E. Esplanade Drive.