Profile: Claudia
From fear to relief and hope
When Claudia experienced acute pains in her abdomen and pelvic region, she sought care at SeaMar clinic in Everett. Recognizing that she needed further evaluation and specialty care, her doctor referred her to Project Access Northwest so she could receive the care she needed at no cost to her.
“Project Access may have helped save my life. Without their help, I may have just lived with this pain until it was too late.”
—Claudia , Care Coordination, Colonoscopy
Claudia, a mother and grandmother of three, had been enduring acute pains in her abdomen and pelvic region for weeks. This was a real concern for her, as her mother passed away from pancreatic cancer many years earlier. Worried and unsure of what was causing her discomfort, she visited the SeaMar clinic in Everett, where her doctor immediately recognized the need for further evaluation. The clinic referred Claudia to Project Access Northwest, knowing that she needed specialized care but lacked the insurance coverage to afford it.
Through Project Access Northwest, Claudia was able to schedule an appointment with a Kaiser Permanente oncologist to receive the necessary scans and tests without the financial burden. The scans revealed polyps in her colon, raising concern about the potential for something more serious. As she awaited the test results, Claudia felt a mix of fear and hope.
To her immense relief, the tests came back negative. The polyps were benign, and no further invasive treatment was necessary. Claudia's pain was managed with medication, and she was given a treatment plan to address her symptoms moving forward.
Grateful for the care she received, Claudia expressed her thanks to Project Access Northwest.
“I was so scared, but they helped me through it all,” she said. “Project Access may have helped save my life. Without their help, I may have just lived with this pain until it was too late.”
With her health back on track, Claudia is now focused on caring for her grandchildren, volunteering at both Goodwill and the Seattle King County Clinic and returning to her daily life, filled with gratitude for the support she received.