Barnes didn't necessarily want to go out of county. But he received excellent care in Tampa. He also felt quite at home, having seen several Citrus residents who were at Moffitt for cancer treatment or followup care. Among the familiar faces were Walt Connors, the former court clerk and downtown Inverness business owner. There are myriad treatment options for cancer, from chemotherapy to radiation to surgery to drug regimens.
Some patients keep a brave face and manage to function in society.
Leonard Pedreira volunteered in schools and continued to drive a car until days before he died. Others don't fare nearly as well, as the fight reduces them to shells of their former selves. When you watch someone die a little bit each day, that's rough. Mrs. Mitchell said she would have never made it without help. In those tragic cases when cancer's grip is too tight, Hospice of Citrus County often becomes involved.