During the course of Rev. Enoch Fuzz’s journey, pastor of Corinthian Missionary Baptist Church, we have often written of the many ups and downs with each day and each week. It has been five months since his diagnosis of stage 4 lung cancer. The challenges he has faced have not been easy and sometimes not because of reasons that one would imagine when found in this type of situation. These are the words of Rev. Enoch Fuzz:
“Having been healthy all my life, I never thought I would be facing these challenges,” explained Rev. Fuzz. “We all take health for granted and we shouldn’t. This journey had many challenges, which started when I couldn’t get appropriate care due to lack of insurance. My doctor had to stand her ground and push for me to get a biopsy, PET scan and the oncologist to get involved in my care. Dr. Thomas advocated for me, pushed others to get the diagnosis and care. We prayed together for a miracle. Even when oncologists at NGH refused to see me, she pushed for biopsy and a diagnosis. Now as the cancer is shrinking and I am trying to coordinate care, it has been difficult due to the broken health care system where there is a lack of communication between physicians. I was in pain, and trying to get meds was extremely difficult—being placed on hold or even sitting uncomfortably in a clinic only to have no answers from one oncologist who walked out without a word or note.
“My doctor, Dr. Rachel Thomas, always pushed others to do the right thing so that I could get the care I needed. I realized not many physicians advocate for the people. Physicians should advocate and fight for us because we don’t know the system. We need doctors for this community, my church family and others, to receive the best care. We need doctors who will respect us even if we don’t have insurance. They should help us and guide us since during this Covid situation it is worse. If we get sick we can’t have family around. We need doctors and other healthcare workers to treat us like family, since we are not allowed to have any during our visits. I want people to ask questions and advocate for themselves. If you or your family members received wrong medications ask questions. If someone had poor outcome, ask questions. Question everything. It is your right. I am grateful for my short Indian doctor who made sure I was treated like family. I know she will fight for me and I will be around to preach God’s word and help this community understand good healthcare is a right. If you didn’t get care, pick up the phone and call the physician, administrator and then consider lawyers. But get answers or pray you will have Dr. Thomas as the attending physician. Stand up for healthcare. Make your physicians accountable.”
Continue to pray for Pastor Fuzz’s health and his healing. Readers are also encouraged to check on him through his Facebook posts and continue to follow Rev. Enoch Fuzz’s journey, ‘Cancer: My Journey in Time’ by reading each week.
