Showing posts with label breast cancer survivor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label breast cancer survivor. Show all posts
Thursday, October 12, 2017
How to support a friend with breast cancer
When your friend tells you they have breast cancer, it is a very sobering day. You may feel helpless in the face of the diagnosis and not sure what you can do. Take heart, your support is an important part of treatment. Many studies have shown that cancer survivors with strong emotional support adjust better to the changes cancer brings to their lives and report a better quality of life.
Thursday, October 13, 2016
Breast Cancer by the Numbers
Breast cancer is the second-most common cancer among American women. (The first is skin cancer.) Just about 1 in 8 (12%) women in the US will develop invasive breast cancer during their lifetime. There's a high chance that you or someone you know will be affected by this disease. The good news? -- And there's a lot of it -- Death rates from breast cancer have declined since 1989 because of earlier screening, increased awareness, and better treatments. (Source for statistics: American Cancer Society)
Thursday, October 1, 2015
Breast care close to home
The Breast Center at Logansport Memorial Hospital provides comprehensive breast screening, diagnosis and treatment options. Our dedicated physicians and nurses give compassionate, expert care for a full range of breast health needs.
Thursday, September 24, 2015
The importance of screening mammograms
There's no doubt about it, mammograms are one of the best tools available to find breast cancer in its early stages. And early detection of breast cancer dramatically increases survival rates. Yet too many women do not understand when to start getting mammograms, how often to have them or think a mammogram is something that can be put off. When you look at the facts, there is no denying that regularly scheduled screening mammograms save lives.
Tuesday, May 5, 2015
Logansport Memorial Hospital acquires Logansport Regional Cancer Center
As of Monday, May 4, Logansport Memorial Hospital has acquired the Logansport Regional Cancer Center located at 1616 Smith Street in Logansport. The Logansport Regional Cancer Center has been providing comprehensive, community-based radiation therapy services to local patients utilizing state-of-the-art technology for the past 15 years, since 2000. It has been an advantageous option for those patients who face a regimen of cancer treatment because they have not had to leave the community to get the care they need.
Radiation therapy, also called radiotherapy, uses painless, high-energy x-rays directed toward cancerous tissue to help treat specific types of cancer. Sophisticated machines called linear accelerators are used to do this. In general, radiation therapy treatments are conducted five days per week over a period of two to nine weeks. Each session is administered by a specially-trained therapist. With treatment needed at such a high frequency, it’s easy to see why patients prefer (and appreciate) the option to stay within their own community and receive this care.
“We are very proud to be able to provide this opportunity for our patients and for our community,” commented David Ameen, President and CEO of Logansport Memorial Hospital. “We were approached by the Cancer Care Group who had been previously running the service because they knew they would have to close its doors, due to changing reimbursements from Medicare and Medicaid not covering the high cost of providing such care. As the only healthcare provider serving Cass County, we felt compelled to offer this for our patients because we believe that it’s our responsibility to provide comprehensive, accessible healthcare for our community. Our Board of Trustees felt the same way, so we are looking forward to keeping this service here and helping our patients get what they need close to home.”
“Keeping the Logansport Regional Cancer Center here as a local part of healthcare is a tremendous convenience for our patients,” adds Dr. James Hall. “Radiation therapy is designed to give patients a small dose of treatment over a long period of time. This treatment schedule minimizes complications without compromising effectiveness. With the number of patients we see and treat not only from Logansport and Cass County, but also surrounding counties, this is a very beneficial service to offer. As a provider, I also appreciate being able to keep my patients close to home, because I can follow them throughout their journey and better coordinate their care with other providers who are part of their team. Everything – including diagnostic imaging, surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy – can all be done here because LMH has providers and partnerships in place to offer it. Cancer is a team-treated disease and I am proud that we are equipped to treat it with the highest quality of care.”
Dr. John Marvel, Radiation Oncologist for the Logansport Regional Cancer Center, agrees. “It is so much easier for our patients to have the care they need close to home instead of having to drive 30 minutes or more to receive it. Radiation therapy can last anywhere from six to nine weeks for patients seeking a cure. That can result in anywhere from 30 – 44 daily treatments. In sick patients, it can be less, as some with pain may only need two to three weeks of treatment as part of their palliative care. But I am so glad that our hospital stepped up to provide this needed service in an ongoing way for patients by keeping it in the community.”
The Logansport Memorial Regional Cancer Center is open Monday – Friday from 8 am – 4:30 pm. Services are provided with a referral only. You may talk with Mike Etter, Director of Ancillary Services about any questions you have by calling (574) 753-1400, or visit our website to learn more – www.logansportmemorial.org.
Friday, February 13, 2015
Logansport Memorial Hospital Foundation receives Indiana Breast Cancer Awareness Trust Grant
Logansport Memorial Hospital Foundation was recently awarded a grant from the Indiana Breast Cancer Awareness Trust to provide free digital screening mammograms to 45 low-income, uninsured Cass and surrounding county residents. In addition to providing screening mammograms, educational information will be made available to the community.
Early detection is the best prevention for breast cancer and by focusing our efforts on a comprehensive solution, uninsured community members will have access to a potentially lifesaving service. To schedule an appointment for a screening mammogram, call Logansport Memorial Hospital Registration at (574) 753-1488.
Annually, Logansport Memorial Hospital Foundation supports breast cancer awareness by hosting the River Bluff Run. These funds supplement the IBCAT grant that the Foundation receives, allowing the Foundation to expand the number screens provided.
The mission of the Indiana Breast Cancer Awareness Trust, Inc. is to increase awareness and improve access to breast cancer screening and diagnosis throughout Indiana. Indiana residents may purchase an Indiana Breast Cancer Awareness license plate by visiting their local Bureau of Motor Vehicles branch or the BMV website at www.in.gov/bmv. Of the $40 specialty plate fee, $25 is a direct tax-deductible donation to the Indiana Breast Cancer Awareness Trust. The plate can be purchased for use on passenger cars, trucks and recreational vehicles up to 11,000 pounds and motorcycles.
Since the breast cancer awareness license plate was first made available in 2002, $1.6 million has been distributed by the Indiana Breast Cancer Awareness Trust (IBCAT) through competitively awarded grants to organizations throughout the state for innovative projects for screening mammography services not otherwise available to medically underserved populations in Indiana.
Early detection is the best prevention for breast cancer and by focusing our efforts on a comprehensive solution, uninsured community members will have access to a potentially lifesaving service. To schedule an appointment for a screening mammogram, call Logansport Memorial Hospital Registration at (574) 753-1488.
Annually, Logansport Memorial Hospital Foundation supports breast cancer awareness by hosting the River Bluff Run. These funds supplement the IBCAT grant that the Foundation receives, allowing the Foundation to expand the number screens provided.
The mission of the Indiana Breast Cancer Awareness Trust, Inc. is to increase awareness and improve access to breast cancer screening and diagnosis throughout Indiana. Indiana residents may purchase an Indiana Breast Cancer Awareness license plate by visiting their local Bureau of Motor Vehicles branch or the BMV website at www.in.gov/bmv. Of the $40 specialty plate fee, $25 is a direct tax-deductible donation to the Indiana Breast Cancer Awareness Trust. The plate can be purchased for use on passenger cars, trucks and recreational vehicles up to 11,000 pounds and motorcycles.
Since the breast cancer awareness license plate was first made available in 2002, $1.6 million has been distributed by the Indiana Breast Cancer Awareness Trust (IBCAT) through competitively awarded grants to organizations throughout the state for innovative projects for screening mammography services not otherwise available to medically underserved populations in Indiana.
For more information on
the Indiana Breast Cancer Awareness Trust and the programs it funds,please visit www.breastcancerplate.org or call (866) 724-2228.
Thursday, September 11, 2014
River Bluff Run and Fun Walk promotes Breast Cancer Awareness
Entry fees are $20 ($30 race day) for an individual or $75 for a team of five registered by Friday, October 3, 2014. Twelve and under participate free, but only receive a shirt with paid registration. All revenue from this year’s event is used to provide free screening mammograms to uninsured/underinsured women.
Race Day Schedule:
- 7:30 am – 8:30 am: Run Registration
- 8:30 am – 9:30 am: Fun Walk Registration
- 9:00 am: 5K Run Begins
- 9:30 am: Runner Awards
- 9:45 am: Observance of Breast Cancer Survivors
- 10:00 am: Fun Walk Begins
The run/walk features event category awards and free T-shirts for those who pre-register. The Mix102.3 radio crew will be live on-site for a radio remote broadcast all throughout the morning. Race day registrants will receive free T-shirts while supplies last. At 9:45 am, there will be a special observance for breast cancer survivors. Teams of runners and walkers are encouraged to participate in this year’s event.
Registration forms are available at Logansport Memorial Hospital or on the hospital website at www.logansportmemorial.org. For more information, call the Logansport Memorial Hospital Foundation at (574) 753-1595 or email foundationcoordinator@logansportmemorial.org.
Download and print your brochure for registration here.
Each year, our breast cancer awareness campaign and publicity for this event features three survivors from our local community. We are pleased to introduce them to you! Read their stories of survival and hope on our website by clicking the links below.
Read her story here.
Sue Richason
Read her story here.
Sherryl Martin
Read her story here.
Friday, December 27, 2013
Survivor Stories: Mariann Hill
Breast cancer affects millions of women each year, and it leaves a lasting impact on each woman’s life long after it is gone. The impact touches women of all ages in all different ways.
You might be a wife, a mother, or a daughter battling the disease herself.
You might be a mother, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, or close friend of someone going through it.
Each woman leaves more of a legacy than she may ever know in the lives of those who love her. Few legacies show the strength and determination that shine through in the fight against breast cancer. As we all work together in raising breast cancer awareness, we also hope for a future that knows nothing of breast cancer and its impact on the lives of women everywhere.
It is with great honor and respect that we share the stories of these women we know as wives, mothers, sisters, daughters, and most importantly -- as survivors.
For our past, our present, and our future … Every Woman Counts.
You might be a wife, a mother, or a daughter battling the disease herself.
You might be a mother, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, or close friend of someone going through it.
Each woman leaves more of a legacy than she may ever know in the lives of those who love her. Few legacies show the strength and determination that shine through in the fight against breast cancer. As we all work together in raising breast cancer awareness, we also hope for a future that knows nothing of breast cancer and its impact on the lives of women everywhere.
It is with great honor and respect that we share the stories of these women we know as wives, mothers, sisters, daughters, and most importantly -- as survivors.
For our past, our present, and our future … Every Woman Counts.
Mariann Hill
Mariann Hill would not have had her mammogram done at the time when Dr. Hall first suggested it. She was about to have a hysterectomy and hadn’t given much thought to having any other procedures done. But since Dr. Hall had made that suggestion, she decided to go ahead and do it. As it turned out, that decision made a big difference, because that was the mammogram that detected her breast cancer.
“I’ve always been pretty regular about receiving my mammograms,” says Mariann. “For years, I’ve never had anything abnormal come up in my results. I don’t have a strong family history of breast cancer, and what still amazes me is that I never had pain or a lump. There were no outward symptoms to indicate to me that there was something wrong.”
Mariann was officially diagnosed in October of 2012 with breast cancer. “As soon as I got the phone call where they asked me to come back in, I knew there was something wrong,” she recalls. “My first instinct was to prepare myself. I started researching breast cancer, fearing the worst but wanting to know as much as I could about what I might experience soon. For me, it was that knowledge that started to comfort me. I just knew I was going to be okay.”
From there, Dr. Hall also helped to reassure her by explaining the various treatment options she could pursue. Once she had the knowledge from her own research and from talking with Dr. Hall, Mariann felt she could share the news with her family. “I wanted to be able to tell them about the breast cancer with more information about what I had, what I was going to experience, and why I was going to be okay. I am the first person in my family to have any type of cancer, so we all had a fear of the unknown. But because I had learned so much about it so quickly, I was able to reassure them too.”
Mariann’s immediate family was told first, and then she called her two daughters and her son, wanting to tell each of them individually. “My kids were completely shocked,” she remembers. “I explained it to them the same way that I had done with my mom, dad, and sisters, but the biggest thing I wanted them to hear from me was that I was going to be fine.”
Her entire family could see her strength, but they wanted to make sure she had the support she needed as well. “I moved in with my sister Susan, because she did not want me to be alone through this. She has taken me to chemo treatments and been there in case I needed anything. My parents and my children have all been checking up on me, and I have so much support from other friends and family too. I feel very blessed,” says Mariann.
What will her family and friends remember from her experience? Undoubtedly, it will be her strength and perseverance. “I felt like a survivor from the very beginning, because I knew this would not take me,” she says. “This experience has been very surreal, because I couldn’t see or feel that something was wrong with me. I’m grateful for the mammogram that caught my breast cancer, and since then, I’ve been telling everyone I know how important they truly are.”
“Realizing that you have breast cancer is scary and confusing and frustrating all at the same time. But the knowledge I have gained and the support I have been given have both empowered me to fight this, because I still have things to do in my life. If sharing my story about this experience inspires just one woman to receive a mammogram, I will consider that a great success.”
Survivor Stories: Lana Moss
Breast cancer affects millions of women each year, and it leaves a lasting impact on each woman’s life long after it is gone. The impact touches women of all ages in all different ways.
You might be a wife, a mother, or a daughter battling the disease herself.
You might be a mother, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, or close friend of someone going through it.
Each woman leaves more of a legacy than she may ever know in the lives of those who love her. Few legacies show the strength and determination that shine through in the fight against breast cancer. As we all work together in raising breast cancer awareness, we also hope for a future that knows nothing of breast cancer and its impact on the lives of women everywhere.
It is with great honor and respect that we share the stories of these women we know as wives, mothers, sisters, daughters, and most importantly -- as survivors.
For our past, our present, and our future … Every Woman Counts.
You might be a wife, a mother, or a daughter battling the disease herself.
You might be a mother, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, or close friend of someone going through it.
Each woman leaves more of a legacy than she may ever know in the lives of those who love her. Few legacies show the strength and determination that shine through in the fight against breast cancer. As we all work together in raising breast cancer awareness, we also hope for a future that knows nothing of breast cancer and its impact on the lives of women everywhere.
It is with great honor and respect that we share the stories of these women we know as wives, mothers, sisters, daughters, and most importantly -- as survivors.
For our past, our present, and our future … Every Woman Counts.
Lana Moss
Lana Moss was no stranger to breast cancer when she learned she had it. This would be her second time battling the disease. She had previously been a seven-year breast cancer survivor. “I have always been faithful about receiving my mammograms, because I know that’s how breast cancer is best detected. What I didn’t know is just how beneficial it was until I experienced breast cancer for myself,” she says.
For Lana, everything happened quickly the first time. “My diagnosis was Stage 2, and I was told that it was an aggressive form of cancer. Dr. Hall was ready to be aggressive with the treatment,” she explains. “He was with me through it all, from start to finish. His expertise helped reassure me that I would be okay. That’s exactly what I said when I found out… ‘I can do this. I have to be okay.’ And I believed that I would be.”
The first time through, Lana called her son and daughter to deliver the news. Each of them reacted very differently, but both of them provided unwavering love and support as she endured this. “My daughter was very upset and emotional,” recalls Lana. “She was determined to go with me to every appointment, and she did so that she could know what was happening and what I was going through. My son lives out of state, so he could not physically be here, but he constantly called to check on me and made sure that I knew he was there for me. I’m blessed for a lot of reasons, but I count my kids as two big ones.”
Lana was clear for the next seven years until just recently, when she was diagnosed again. This time around, it was caught at Stage 1. “My first experience with breast cancer affected my right breast. My second experience involves my left breast. And it has been a completely different experience,” she notes. “The treatments are more advanced, so I’m not being treated the same way that I was seven years ago. My treatment is shorter than my first experience though. The isolated radiation is more advanced now than last time, but both times I have been very comfortable and not sick at all…I’m very grateful for that.”
Lana’s kids were less emotional the second time around but just as worried. “Since the first diagnosis, my entire family is now a huge Relay for Life supporter. We are actively involved in the Cass County chapter,” explains Lana. “I’ve had support from my kids, from fellow survivors, from close friends and neighbors, and from activity with this wonderful organization. It hasn’t mattered to me whether I have cancer or not… I’m determined to do everything I can to raise awareness and help find a cure!”
Lana shares her story from a perspective of faith, strength and pure joy that is contagious. “You know, I thank God for cancer,” she says. “He brought me through this experience to show me just how important life is, and how much my friends and family mean to me. It has made me stronger and given me character, and God knows what a character I am!”
“I truly believe that you are a survivor every day that you live after you’ve been diagnosed. Every day that I have, I’m going to make sure I spend it helping to raise awareness.” As Lana lives out her legacy of inspiration and strength, she contributes to cancer awareness in the most meaningful way.
Survivor Stories: Corene Chittum
Breast cancer affects millions of women each year, and it leaves a lasting impact on each woman’s life long after it is gone. The impact touches women of all ages in all different ways.
You might be a wife, a mother, or a daughter battling the disease herself.
You might be a mother, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, or close friend of someone going through it.
Each woman leaves more of a legacy than she may ever know in the lives of those who love her. Few legacies show the strength and determination that shine through in the fight against breast cancer. As we all work together in raising breast cancer awareness, we also hope for a future that knows nothing of breast cancer and its impact on the lives of women everywhere.
It is with great honor and respect that we share the stories of these women we know as wives, mothers, sisters, daughters, and most importantly -- as survivors.
For our past, our present, and our future … Every Woman Counts.
When Corene Chittum went in for her routine mammogram, she wasn’t surprised when she was called back about suspicious findings in the results. “I got called back all the time,” she recalls. “I’ve always had cysts in my breasts and they had never turned cancerous before, but extra precautions were usually taken just to be sure. When they called me, I assumed it was nothing. But this time, I was wrong.”
With the support of close family and friends, it was convenient that Corene could get the treatment she needed close to home. “Most of my family is in Kokomo, and my friends are a great support group for me here in Peru,” she says. “I didn’t tell my kids and grandkids at first. My husband was with me when I found out, and then I called my best girlfriend shortly after that to deliver the news. Once I did share it with several people, I couldn’t believe the support! Through prayers, help, and continued participation in my favorite activities, like quilting, I knew I was not alone in this fight. And I never would be.”
You might be a wife, a mother, or a daughter battling the disease herself.
You might be a mother, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, or close friend of someone going through it.
Each woman leaves more of a legacy than she may ever know in the lives of those who love her. Few legacies show the strength and determination that shine through in the fight against breast cancer. As we all work together in raising breast cancer awareness, we also hope for a future that knows nothing of breast cancer and its impact on the lives of women everywhere.
It is with great honor and respect that we share the stories of these women we know as wives, mothers, sisters, daughters, and most importantly -- as survivors.
For our past, our present, and our future … Every Woman Counts.
Corene Chittum
When Corene Chittum went in for her routine mammogram, she wasn’t surprised when she was called back about suspicious findings in the results. “I got called back all the time,” she recalls. “I’ve always had cysts in my breasts and they had never turned cancerous before, but extra precautions were usually taken just to be sure. When they called me, I assumed it was nothing. But this time, I was wrong.”
Corene’s breast cancer was diagnosed as Stage 1, found in its earliest form at the best possible time. But she attributes that to having her regular mammograms and making sure she listened to her physician’s advice. “I never knew this, but they told me during the process that it’s possible to have cancer present for 10 years before it may be detected through a mammogram. Once it gets detected, that usually means it can grow quickly, which is why I believe regular mammograms are so important,” she says. “That’s still where they will catch it and then they can act fast once they do.”
As Dr. Hall explained to Corene the type of breast cancer she had, he also explained her options for treatment that were available here. “I didn’t know what I would experience, but I knew I didn’t want to need chemo,” comments Corene. “But Dr. Hall told me that I had options and they would have the same treatment effect on my breast cancer. I could have my breast removed to get rid of the cancer, or I could keep it and take the chemo, radiation, and hormone blockers. I chose to keep my breast, and persevere through chemo,” she says.
“The oncologist explained further that because my type of cancer was hormonal, chemo was even more necessary. I went numb when he said that, because I didn’t expect it,” explains Corene. “We have minimized the chemo to 6 total treatments. From there, I will have radiation for 31 days and then take hormones for 10 years after this.”
With the support of close family and friends, it was convenient that Corene could get the treatment she needed close to home. “Most of my family is in Kokomo, and my friends are a great support group for me here in Peru,” she says. “I didn’t tell my kids and grandkids at first. My husband was with me when I found out, and then I called my best girlfriend shortly after that to deliver the news. Once I did share it with several people, I couldn’t believe the support! Through prayers, help, and continued participation in my favorite activities, like quilting, I knew I was not alone in this fight. And I never would be.”
Corene says that she will not truly consider herself a survivor until she has reached her five year mark of being cancer-free. But as she looks to those five years and beyond, she wants to share her story in any way that she can, to help spread breast cancer awareness. “If someone reads my story and is inspired by it to get their mammogram, I will consider that a success,” she says.
“Cancer is a scary experience for everyone involved. I told my family, my friends, and even myself that it’s okay to be scared and angry. But you can’t let it consume you, because things could always be worse. Keep your joy and let nothing and no one ever take that from you. Joy is the best legacy I could hope to leave someday with those I know and love.” We have no doubt that Corene will do just that.
Survivor Stories: Barbara Herman
Breast cancer affects millions of women each year, and it leaves a lasting impact on each woman’s life long after it is gone. The impact touches women of all ages in all different ways.
You might be a wife, a mother, or a daughter battling the disease herself.
You might be a mother, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, or close friend of someone going through it.
Each woman leaves more of a legacy than she may ever know in the lives of those who love her. Few legacies show the strength and determination that shine through in the fight against breast cancer. As we all work together in raising breast cancer awareness, we also hope for a future that knows nothing of breast cancer and its impact on the lives of women everywhere.
It is with great honor and respect that we share the stories of these women we know as wives, mothers, sisters, daughters, and most importantly -- as survivors.
For our past, our present, and our future … Every Woman Counts.
You might be a wife, a mother, or a daughter battling the disease herself.
You might be a mother, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, or close friend of someone going through it.
Each woman leaves more of a legacy than she may ever know in the lives of those who love her. Few legacies show the strength and determination that shine through in the fight against breast cancer. As we all work together in raising breast cancer awareness, we also hope for a future that knows nothing of breast cancer and its impact on the lives of women everywhere.
It is with great honor and respect that we share the stories of these women we know as wives, mothers, sisters, daughters, and most importantly -- as survivors.
For our past, our present, and our future … Every Woman Counts.
Barbara Moon Herman
As summer turned into fall in the year 2009, Barbara Moon Herman went to the Women’s Health Center for her routine mammogram. Like all of her previous screenings, she expected this one to be completely normal. Instead, she was surprised to hear some unexpected news. “After the mammogram, I received a phone call that told me about my results. They had found cancerous cells in my left breast, but I had never had any symptoms or lumps,” recalls Barb. “Before I could really grasp the situation, an appointment was made to discuss next steps. Within a matter of minutes, there was a plan in place.”
As she went in to see Dr. Murphy to discuss her condition, she had lots of questions. “Dr. Murphy immediately referred me to Dr. Hall, and from that point on, I never doubted the outcome of my situation,” she says. “I was diagnosed with ductal cancerous in situ (DCIS) at stage zero. I have a family history of breast cancer, and of other types of cancer. I have seen firsthand what cancer is capable of putting someone through. Although it was a scary experience by nature, I could not have trusted any physicians more than I trusted both Dr. Murphy and Dr. Hall with their diagnosis and approach.”
For Barb, that confidence came from the knowledge she was able to learn from her resources. “As soon as I knew the nature of my diagnosis, I became informed so that I could be fully involved in my treatment plan,” she says. “My questions were answered from people I knew and reliable information that I found online. My trust was securely placed in the hands of physicians who worked as a team to provide quality care that is second to none. They removed any cause for concern I might have had.”
She never questioned her decision to tell her family immediately. “My husband was by my side the entire time,” tells Barb. “I let my brother and sister know over the phone, as they live in Indianapolis and Kokomo. But my sister made sure she was by my side for surgery, and my brother was always there to discuss things by phone. There was no question that my family wanted to do everything possible to ensure that I knew I was loved and supported in this experience. I knew that I didn’t have to do it alone.”
But Barb continued to receive an outpouring of support from more people than she ever expected. “My friends in the community rallied around me as well. Never have I seen or felt such support, strength and encouragement from such a wonderful group of people,” she remembers. “It was so comforting to receive the different kinds of support I needed from different friends who were able to be there for me when I needed them,” she says.
For Barb, that’s what counted. In the winter of 2009, after undergoing some precautionary radiation following her surgery, Barb was counted as a survivor. She is still monitored by her physicians as she approaches her five-year mark being cancer-free. And although her experience impacted those around her in different ways, she learned how much her presence counted in the lives of those she loves.
“I truly believe timing is everything,” notes Barb. “There is never a good time to have to fight a battle like this one, but when you don’t have a choice, you do whatever you need to do,” she says. As you experience something like breast cancer, you never know where your support will come from or what it will look like. But it’s not the appearance of that support that counts. It’s the strength you receive from it. During my fight against breast cancer, I became stronger than I ever knew I could be, and I’m grateful to my friends and family for that.”
Survivor Stories: Laura Julian
Breast cancer affects millions of women each year, and it leaves a lasting impact on each woman’s life long after it is gone. The impact touches women of all ages in all different ways.
You might be a wife, a mother, or a daughter battling the disease herself.
You might be a mother, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, or close friend of someone going through it.
Each woman leaves more of a legacy than she may ever know in the lives of those who love her. Few legacies show the strength and determination that shine through in the fight against breast cancer. As we all work together in raising breast cancer awareness, we also hope for a future that knows nothing of breast cancer and its impact on the lives of women everywhere.
It is with great honor and respect that we share the stories of these women we know as wives, mothers, sisters, daughters, and most importantly -- as survivors.
For our past, our present, and our future … Every Woman Counts.
In the spring of 2006, Laura Julian could never have prepared for the journey she had ahead of her. As she listened to a phone call that followed up her routine mammogram, she quickly realized her life had just changed significantly. “When Dr. Hall called to discuss my screening results, I could never have guessed that something like this would affect me,” she says. “I didn’t know of any family history and I didn’t think I had ever noticed any symptoms indicating that something might be wrong.”
Although she could not have prepared beforehand, she made sure she would do whatever it took to fight this disease. “I didn’t want any emotional reactions to cloud my ability to understand the process of my treatment,” remembers Laura. “A million emotions can go through your head if you let them, and it’s hard not to do that. But I felt the best way that I could fight this was with confidence, so I took control and asked about what needed to be done first.”
The confidence Laura felt was inspired by the care she received from Dr. Hall and the entire team-based approach as she underwent a lumpectomy in that same spring season. “I was fortunate enough to have a clinical perspective myself as I endured the treatment process from start to finish,” says Laura. “I have worked in healthcare for a number of years, and I was working at the time of my diagnosis. I had resources in friends who also worked in healthcare, and together we all communicated in clinical terms about treatment. It reassured me to know the nature of the diagnosis, the progression of the disease itself, and the successful effects of the proven treatment plan.”
Luckily, she didn’t have to be. “Once I told my husband, he became the strong, unwavering support that I needed, taking care of all the daily activities while I recovered,” says Laura. “My three younger children were really too young to fully understand what I was going through at the time. But because I have such a close relationship with my mom, my oldest daughter, and my sister, they were the hardest to tell. Women are more emotional by nature, but our capacity for love and understanding goes beyond that when faced with battling something like breast cancer.”
The women in Laura’s life can recall how they felt impacted by her experience. “I couldn’t believe she had gone through so much by herself already, before telling any of us,” says Lacey, Laura’s daughter. “As she continued to fight, through the surgery and treatments afterward, I wanted her to believe in how strong she was.”
Laura’s mother Carolyn and sister Terrie felt the same way. “I believed with all my heart that she would make it through this to live a full life with her family,” says Carolyn. “As soon as we all knew, we wanted her to know she was not alone in her fight,” says Terrie. “We loved her and we would all go through this together.”
From that point on, her family was with her every step of the way. Laura came through surgery successfully, and underwent radiation for a short period afterward. It was in the summer of 2006 that she knew she was cancer-free, and at her five-year mark, she finally considered herself a survivor.
“In the beginning, I was so focused on having a strong mentality and relying solely on myself to shoulder my burden,” comments Laura. “As soon as I involved my family, I had the total support system I didn’t think I needed. Now, I can’t imagine having gone through this experience without them.”
You might be a wife, a mother, or a daughter battling the disease herself.
You might be a mother, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, or close friend of someone going through it.
Each woman leaves more of a legacy than she may ever know in the lives of those who love her. Few legacies show the strength and determination that shine through in the fight against breast cancer. As we all work together in raising breast cancer awareness, we also hope for a future that knows nothing of breast cancer and its impact on the lives of women everywhere.
It is with great honor and respect that we share the stories of these women we know as wives, mothers, sisters, daughters, and most importantly -- as survivors.
For our past, our present, and our future … Every Woman Counts.
Laura Julian
In the spring of 2006, Laura Julian could never have prepared for the journey she had ahead of her. As she listened to a phone call that followed up her routine mammogram, she quickly realized her life had just changed significantly. “When Dr. Hall called to discuss my screening results, I could never have guessed that something like this would affect me,” she says. “I didn’t know of any family history and I didn’t think I had ever noticed any symptoms indicating that something might be wrong.”
Although she could not have prepared beforehand, she made sure she would do whatever it took to fight this disease. “I didn’t want any emotional reactions to cloud my ability to understand the process of my treatment,” remembers Laura. “A million emotions can go through your head if you let them, and it’s hard not to do that. But I felt the best way that I could fight this was with confidence, so I took control and asked about what needed to be done first.”
The confidence Laura felt was inspired by the care she received from Dr. Hall and the entire team-based approach as she underwent a lumpectomy in that same spring season. “I was fortunate enough to have a clinical perspective myself as I endured the treatment process from start to finish,” says Laura. “I have worked in healthcare for a number of years, and I was working at the time of my diagnosis. I had resources in friends who also worked in healthcare, and together we all communicated in clinical terms about treatment. It reassured me to know the nature of the diagnosis, the progression of the disease itself, and the successful effects of the proven treatment plan.”
But it wasn’t until Laura was preparing for her surgery that she remembered she wasn’t the only one who would be affected by this. “My family didn’t know about my diagnosis or preliminary treatments until a few days before my lumpectomy,” she says. “I was able to be clinical up to that point, evaluating my situation from an objective medical perspective. I knew that as soon as my family was involved, I wouldn’t be able to keep my emotions bottled up anymore. I could be strong for myself, but I wasn’t sure I could be strong for them too.”
Luckily, she didn’t have to be. “Once I told my husband, he became the strong, unwavering support that I needed, taking care of all the daily activities while I recovered,” says Laura. “My three younger children were really too young to fully understand what I was going through at the time. But because I have such a close relationship with my mom, my oldest daughter, and my sister, they were the hardest to tell. Women are more emotional by nature, but our capacity for love and understanding goes beyond that when faced with battling something like breast cancer.”
The women in Laura’s life can recall how they felt impacted by her experience. “I couldn’t believe she had gone through so much by herself already, before telling any of us,” says Lacey, Laura’s daughter. “As she continued to fight, through the surgery and treatments afterward, I wanted her to believe in how strong she was.”
Laura’s mother Carolyn and sister Terrie felt the same way. “I believed with all my heart that she would make it through this to live a full life with her family,” says Carolyn. “As soon as we all knew, we wanted her to know she was not alone in her fight,” says Terrie. “We loved her and we would all go through this together.”
From that point on, her family was with her every step of the way. Laura came through surgery successfully, and underwent radiation for a short period afterward. It was in the summer of 2006 that she knew she was cancer-free, and at her five-year mark, she finally considered herself a survivor.
“In the beginning, I was so focused on having a strong mentality and relying solely on myself to shoulder my burden,” comments Laura. “As soon as I involved my family, I had the total support system I didn’t think I needed. Now, I can’t imagine having gone through this experience without them.”
Survivor Stories: Duvetsa Ramos
Breast cancer affects millions of women each year, and it leaves a lasting impact on each woman’s life long after it is gone. The impact touches women of all ages in all different ways.
You might be a wife, a mother, or a daughter battling the disease herself.
You might be a mother, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, or close friend of someone going through it.
Each woman leaves more of a legacy than she may ever know in the lives of those who love her. Few legacies show the strength and determination that shine through in the fight against breast cancer. As we all work together in raising breast cancer awareness, we also hope for a future that knows nothing of breast cancer and its impact on the lives of women everywhere.
It is with great honor and respect that we share the stories of these women we know as wives, mothers, sisters, daughters, and most importantly -- as survivors.
For our past, our present, and our future … Every Woman Counts.
Duvetsa Ramos
In the spring of 2004, Duvetsa Ramos went to the Women’s Health Center when she felt a lump that she had never felt before. As she talked with the physicians and underwent testing, she discovered that the lump was cancerous. “If I hadn’t realized that the lump was unusual, I might not have known,” says Duvetsa. “It was very scary to think about what could happen, and it was shocking to discover that I had developed breast cancer.”
As she prepared to fight the disease, she thought most about her four children. “They were all very young when this happened, and I knew they didn’t fully understand what was going on. But they knew something wasn’t quite right with me,” she says. “My mom knew the most about what was happening, and she was there for me every step of the way. She was going to appointments, helping care for me before and after my surgery, and taking care of my kids when I didn’t have the strength. I couldn’t have done it without her.”
In the fall of 2004, Duvetsa was declared a survivor. Even though she and her family celebrated, she knew she would have to continue checking herself for any changes that seemed unusual. It was to her credit that she did, because in the spring of 2011, Duvetsa was diagnosed with breast cancer again after finding a second cancerous lump.
Although the experience was no less overwhelming the second time around, she did feel more confident in the proven treatment approach she knew she would have. “It is truly a team of physicians who stand by your side,” says Duvetsa. “From diagnosis to treatment, I could count on Dr. Hall, Dr. Harwood and Dr. Marvel to answer any questions I had. The second time through, I knew I needed to have the same surgery as before, so I felt comfortable knowing exactly what would happen.”
As she battled the second time, her kids knew more of what she was going through. Her oldest daughter Alexis remembers crying herself as her mom told her the news. “I knew it had happened before, but I didn’t really remember it. This time, I knew what it was that she would go through and I was scared for her. I had never seen my mom cry, but as she told us through tears, I knew that she was scared too.”
The kids made an effort to help their mom in any way that they could, now that they were old enough to understand. Working together with their grandma again, the kids tried to keep life as normal as possible for themselves and for their mom. “I knew she would get through this,” says Alexis. “I knew that she would be okay, because she was before. I had confidence in the doctors and in the treatment, but I had the most confidence in my mom. She is strong and determined and I knew she would do whatever it took to survive again.”
In the fall of 2011, after undergoing the same treatment approach as she previously had done, Duvetsa was declared a survivor again. “We are grateful that we can celebrate again,” she says. “Even though I’m a survivor, these experiences are part of me and part of my family now. They were impacted significantly, just as I was. I believe the strength and support of my family made a huge difference for me.”
You might be a wife, a mother, or a daughter battling the disease herself.
You might be a mother, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, or close friend of someone going through it.
Each woman leaves more of a legacy than she may ever know in the lives of those who love her. Few legacies show the strength and determination that shine through in the fight against breast cancer. As we all work together in raising breast cancer awareness, we also hope for a future that knows nothing of breast cancer and its impact on the lives of women everywhere.
It is with great honor and respect that we share the stories of these women we know as wives, mothers, sisters, daughters, and most importantly -- as survivors.
For our past, our present, and our future … Every Woman Counts.
Duvetsa Ramos
In the spring of 2004, Duvetsa Ramos went to the Women’s Health Center when she felt a lump that she had never felt before. As she talked with the physicians and underwent testing, she discovered that the lump was cancerous. “If I hadn’t realized that the lump was unusual, I might not have known,” says Duvetsa. “It was very scary to think about what could happen, and it was shocking to discover that I had developed breast cancer.”
As she prepared to fight the disease, she thought most about her four children. “They were all very young when this happened, and I knew they didn’t fully understand what was going on. But they knew something wasn’t quite right with me,” she says. “My mom knew the most about what was happening, and she was there for me every step of the way. She was going to appointments, helping care for me before and after my surgery, and taking care of my kids when I didn’t have the strength. I couldn’t have done it without her.”
In the fall of 2004, Duvetsa was declared a survivor. Even though she and her family celebrated, she knew she would have to continue checking herself for any changes that seemed unusual. It was to her credit that she did, because in the spring of 2011, Duvetsa was diagnosed with breast cancer again after finding a second cancerous lump.
Although the experience was no less overwhelming the second time around, she did feel more confident in the proven treatment approach she knew she would have. “It is truly a team of physicians who stand by your side,” says Duvetsa. “From diagnosis to treatment, I could count on Dr. Hall, Dr. Harwood and Dr. Marvel to answer any questions I had. The second time through, I knew I needed to have the same surgery as before, so I felt comfortable knowing exactly what would happen.”
As she battled the second time, her kids knew more of what she was going through. Her oldest daughter Alexis remembers crying herself as her mom told her the news. “I knew it had happened before, but I didn’t really remember it. This time, I knew what it was that she would go through and I was scared for her. I had never seen my mom cry, but as she told us through tears, I knew that she was scared too.”
The kids made an effort to help their mom in any way that they could, now that they were old enough to understand. Working together with their grandma again, the kids tried to keep life as normal as possible for themselves and for their mom. “I knew she would get through this,” says Alexis. “I knew that she would be okay, because she was before. I had confidence in the doctors and in the treatment, but I had the most confidence in my mom. She is strong and determined and I knew she would do whatever it took to survive again.”
In the fall of 2011, after undergoing the same treatment approach as she previously had done, Duvetsa was declared a survivor again. “We are grateful that we can celebrate again,” she says. “Even though I’m a survivor, these experiences are part of me and part of my family now. They were impacted significantly, just as I was. I believe the strength and support of my family made a huge difference for me.”
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