Talking About Your Health
Hairless Tales
My Breast Cancer Journey
As I read your story, I realized it’s been three years since my surgery. I too, was healthy and exercised regularly. In addition all my mammograms were normal. Without a family history, breast cancer was the furthest thing from my mind. One day, after my shower, I discovered a ridge in my right breast and it was diagnosed as lobular cancer. I have come to learn that 70% of the time, women get breast cancer without having any risk factors. In my work at VHC as the Breast Health Coordinator, I stress to my patients that their healthy lifestyle will serve them well to fight this disease. This is only a detour and once their treatment is completed, most women will get back to their usual routine.
I look forward to being a part of this forum.
Jean Sullivan, RN,BSN
Breast Health Coordinator
National Accredited Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC)
in Virginia and Washington, DC.
"I felt like I couldn't be in better hands..." says Ms. Nancy Cooley, Center for Breast Health Patient.
Learn more about Nancy Cooley's battle with breast cancer in this Washington Post article.
Learn more about the NAPBC Accreditation at Virginia Hospital Center:
Three Years & Counting...
By way of introduction, I’m a cancer survivor – three years and counting. When I was a little girl, the “C” word was whispered, and we all assumed that a death sentence had just been imposed. Thank goodness, this is no longer the case!
Oddly enough, even three years later, I still haven’t registered the fact that I had cancer. After all, there is no known history of cancer in my family. By and large, throughout my life I have eaten a nutritious diet, periodically exercised to the point that I lost pounds and inches, and, apart from the annual bout with a cold, led a relatively healthy life. Perhaps because of this background, my diagnosis didn’t have a devastating effect. I didn’t “fall apart” and didn’t bemoan my fate, but rather started an aggressive program of research -- and reaching out to both medical professionals and other cancer survivors.
Having said all this doesn’t mean I didn’t have my down moments. I needed lots of support, and was lucky enough to get it. I had medical professionals in my family, who helped confirm the wisdom of my own doctors, as well as pointing me to a variety of resources. Friends checked with their own favorite doctors. The Cancer Society was available to give comfort and advice 24-hours a day. My doctors at the Virginia Hospital Center were fantastic, not only in their medical expertise but in their personal care – willing to take my calls and make return calls way beyond office hours. The free classes offered through the hospital’s Cancer Resource Center helped me to understand and cope with the disease.
But, perhaps most important was my friend Susan, herself a cancer survivor, and my biggest cheerleader. She knew what I was going through as no one else could. She was in touch daily – by phone or email, and sent periodic cards and “goodies” to lift my spirits. Throughout treatment, there were many days that were extremely difficult to get through – but Susan was always there to prop me up.
I’m not home-free yet. Those of us who have gone through this experience know that five years equal the magic timeline. But, Susan showed me how important personal support can be. Since my diagnosis, three other friends have been diagnosed with cancer, and I have shared and continue to share my lessons-learned with them. One flew into town on her first anniversary, and we celebrated at an elegant restaurant. The latter two diagnoses are more recent. For these friends, I have ferreted out recent resources, touch base with them regularly, and have a “boatload” of cards that I pop into the mail periodically, because I remember how important those were to me. I can’t heal them, but I can help raise their spirits.
This is not altruism. It’s part of my own healing process. And, I know that I have a “band of sisters” out in the world doing exactly the same thing. I encourage you to share your strength with those who need it most. And, I encourage you to share that experience in this forum.
~Dina Dorich,
Cancer Survivor
Welcome
Talk.VirginiaHospitalCenter.com is guided by community members, physicians, and healthcare leaders to share thoughts about medicine, and healthcare issues. Virginia Hospital Center is proud to serve the Greater Washington Metropolitan area: Northern VA, Washington, DC & MD.
This blog is designed to offer community support and information on issues that are most important to you.
Information & support are key to making sound healthcare decisions...
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
--Disclaimer--
The opinions expressed by talk.virginiahospitalcenter.com Bloggers and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of Virginia Hospital Center or any employee thereof. While every caution has been taken to provide readers with most accurate information and honest analysis, Virginia Hospital Center is not responsible for the accuracy of any of the information supplied by the Bloggers.
All contents published in this blog are intellectual property of Virginia Hospital Center and should not be reproduced or copied without permission and/or without giving credit.