Lindsey Grys, APN
Staff Education:
Lindsey graduated with a BSN in Nursing from University of Iowa with early admission to the nursing program. She went on to receive her MSN FNP from Bradley University.
When did you join Illinois CancerCare?
May 2011
Hobbies / Interests:
I love to go to movies, especially horror movies! Sometimes I can drag my husband along to them. I also like to spend time with my two young boys, Xander and Miles. They keep me pretty busy, but I like to read as well when I can. I also enjoy taking walks with our three dogs, knitting, and sleeping!
What medical change has impacted the field of cancer the most since you began practicing medicine?
Since I started with Illinois CancerCare, the field of immunotherapy has really come to the forefront and targeted therapies aimed at patients' genetic mutations. This is exciting with the prospect of avoiding the typical chemotherapy side effects and making therapies more tolerable for the patients.
Why did you choose your field?
During my undergrad, I planned on becoming a psychiatric nurse but there were no current job openings after graduation, so I took a job with Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/Bone marrow transplant. I learned very quickly that pediatrics was not my niche but I did find the chemotherapy and disease processes very challenging and interesting! I was hooked after that.
Do you have any advice to give patients after they have been diagnosed with cancer?
Take notes! Bring someone with you to your appointments - two sets of ears listening to everything we go over is always better than one. Do your research on reputable sites, such as American Cancer Society. Your nurses are a fabulous resource as well, although I'm biased having been one here for 8 years! Overall, you know your body and can tell when something isn't quite right, so trust your instincts and continue communicating with your oncology team! No person is an island, we are all here to help you through this journey.
