Patient Stories: Breast Cancer
Debbie: A Ribbon of Hope
Early detection and neighborhood care helped me fight breast cancer.
They say lightning never strikes twice, but it came close in my family. My breast cancer diagnosis came only weeks after my husband’s sister got her news.
Her diagnosis had been really hard for him, and I was worried about how he would cope with mine. Luckily, I had a lot of things going in my favor: my annual mammogram caught it very early; my surgeon, Dr. Petar Turcinovic, was great; and an incredible radiation team saw me through my days of treatment.
It may sound strange, but I really wasn't terribly afraid. I never felt this was going to be the end. That's the great thing about mammograms – catching the cancer early really made the difference for me.
Everything fell into place with my treatment. Dr. Turcinovic practices at Memorial Hermann The Woodlands, which was convenient for me, and everyone at the hospital was phenomenal. I don't believe I could have gotten better care anywhere, and getting this level of care so near my home made dealing with the treatment much easier for me and my family.
My daily radiation treatments lasted just 15 minutes or so, but I felt like I was with a bunch of friends having a good old time. Everyone was so friendly and concerned, and I’m not the only one with those feelings. Not too long ago, a woman at the mall noticed my pink ribbon, which I always wear, and asked if I had cancer. I said yes, and it turns out we had both been treated at Memorial Hermann.
She had a fabulous experience there, too, as did several other women I know. Cancer is not a good thing, but my surgeon and the hospital staff helped me have the best that a bad thing can offer.