Diane Raebel is no stranger to the world of healthcare. Throughout her career, she has garnered a wealth of clinical experience from her time as an orthopedic nurse, skilled nursing facility nurse and her tenure in the life and long-term care insurance industry.

Diane grew up in Somerset, Wisconsin. She met her husband, Dan, in Duluth and the couple settled in Milwaukee. Two decades ago, they built their dream home on 80 acres near Baldwin, Wisconsin. Their children, a son and a daughter, are now grown with families of their own nearby.

In 2017, Diane's life took a challenging turn with a breast cancer diagnosis. Thankfully, the cancer was detected early, and she underwent a lumpectomy and radiation and did not require chemotherapy.

Fast forward to August 2022, amid the COVID pandemic, Diane missed two annual pap smears. She noticed occasional spotting and saw her primary doctor who detected an anomaly, leading to an immediate biopsy. The result was stage 3 cervical cancer. A detail-oriented person by nature, Diane had assisted in case reviews, using a comprehensive underwriting manual for every health condition, including cancers, during her insurance career. “I knew exactly what I was looking at with stage 3 cervical cancer,” she said.

When her doctor recommended she find a gynecologic oncologist, Diane didn't waste a second. She recalled seeing Minnesota Oncology's advertisements and decided to learn more. “What I really liked was that Minnesota Oncology is affiliated with the Mayo Clinic and the ‘Caring, down to a science’ tagline really connected with me. I also liked that there were so many providers and locations. I didn’t want to travel far for treatments and appointments. I read the online testimonials and got an appointment as soon as I could.”

Diane chose Dr. Jessica Thomes Pepin for her gynecologic oncologist. “From moment I walked in, everyone was so nice,” she said. “At my initial visit, Dr. Thomes Pepin had reviewed my records and came in prepared with a plan. She looked me in the eye, held my hand, and reassured me. When I expressed my understanding of the 5-year survival odds, she unhesitatingly replied that some of her stage 3 patients, similar to my case, were cured. Hearing that my condition was potentially curable was incredibly comforting.”

Dr. Thomes Pepin introduced Diane to Dr. Ryan Youland, a radiation oncologist at Minnesota Oncology. “He was kind and exuded confidence as he went through his plan for my treatment. He also told me my stage 3 cervical cancer can not only be treated but cured. I knew there were no guarantees, however, with the tough journey I was facing, I was encouraged after meeting with both of them.” 

Diane began her journey with single agent chemotherapy and radiation followed by brachytherapy. After her treatments, Diane went 20 months cancer-free. But in May 2024, her PET scan revealed three positive lymph nodes. “I hated getting that news, but Dr. Thomes Pepin’s confidence and thorough explanations were reassuring. She talked to me about my recurrence, encouraged me by saying I was ‘strong,’ and I could get through the next treatment plan. She fully expected my PET scan in four months to be negative."

Diane completed a new round of combination chemotherapy (four drugs) in September 2024 and is now receiving immunotherapy every three weeks at the Minnesota Oncology Hudson Clinic. Her last two scans were negative and if the next one is too, she may be able to reduce the frequency of her surveillance scans. She feels fortunate to be managing the immunotherapy well, with no side effects.

Diane believes her strength, peace and positive attitude are the result of her strong faith. She enjoys traveling with her husband (they deliver new RVs in retirement), staying active on her treadmill, swimming, and loves spending time with her four young grandchildren.

Reflecting on her experience with Minnesota Oncology, Diane is filled with gratitude. “If you find yourself in the involuntary ‘cancer club,’ there is no better place to be than Minnesota Oncology. From the receptionists, to the lab techs, radiation techs, PAs, infusion nurses, and schedulers — everyone treats you with kindness and respect. When they say ‘Caring, down to a science’ they mean it. Dr. Thomes Pepin is extremely knowledgeable about the latest advancements, and she consults with colleagues when needed. She listens to my concerns and answers my questions. I feel like I’m treated as a person, versus a case number in a huge healthcare system.”

Diane’s advice for newly diagnosed cancer patients is simple: “I’ll save you a lot of time and energy because I put in the legwork. Choose Minnesota Oncology. It is overwhelming when you receive a cancer diagnosis and you want to go somewhere where all the details are taken care of for you, and where you’ll be provided with all the resources you need. If you are seeking a place to feel supported and understood, Minnesota Oncology is where you want to be.”