After Betty realized about nurse navigators and all they do, she gained immense respect for them.
It was April 1, 2024, simply two days earlier than we have been leaving for a two-part journey: a celebration of life for an expensive pal in Portland, Oregon, then flying to Dallas, the place our household shall be gathering for the full photo voltaic eclipse. That afternoon, whereas altering garments, I observed a big lump deep in my left breast. I’m a science individual so it was not a thriller what this portended.
The subsequent day, I known as my physician to get an order for a mammogram, however she was off that day. I discover it tough these days to simply get a medical appointment, and you may be on the cellphone a very long time earlier than somebody solutions and says they’ll schedule you subsequent month.
And right here, is likely one of the explanation why I’m scripting this.
I requested the physician’s assistant “I would like an order for a mammogram. Since my physician is just not there, how can I get one?”
“Oh, she mentioned, simply name the Mission Outpatient Heart.” (Actually? I had no thought I might try this.)
The outpatient middle examined me and gave me a mammogram order and mentioned I ought to have the ability to get in subsequent week. I appeared on the man and mentioned, “Might you please verify to see if they might probably take me now? I’m right here and I’m gone for per week beginning tomorrow.”
To my shock, he got here again and mentioned they’d take me within the subsequent hour. (I believe he was shocked too.)
The mammogram and ultrasound discovered a 3.2-centimeter lump with vague edges and two lymph nodes concerned. The radiologist, a good-looking and well-spoken younger man, instructed me of the opportunity of an issue. He was clearly involved about my misery ranges. As soon as I heard lymph nodes have been concerned, I knew.
I had by no means heard about nurse navigators earlier than, however within the subsequent weeks, the biopsy and schedules with the surgeon, radiation oncologist and medical oncologists adopted. Their occasions have been all organized by the nurse navigator and her group. I used to be amazed at their place within the medical soup of most cancers. They reply all questions, present literature, prepare and rearrange schedules with medical employees. That solely begins to explain their excessive worth to the frustration and angst of navigating medical care, not to mention the medical complexities of most cancers itself. I might cellphone them any time.
Their place within the advanced medical care of most cancers provides me new respect for the occupation of medication. I perceive this place is just not in every single place, so I really feel moreover lucky.
On April 11, upon getting back from our journey, I had the biopsy. My outcomes confirmed the three.2-centimeter tumor with vague edges, invasive lobular carcinoma with two lymph nodes already contaminated. Estrogen and progesterone-positive illness, HER2-negative.
This may very well be a stopping level, nonetheless…
There may be one other twist, in case you have an interest. I received a PET scan, to see if it had metastasized to another a part of my physique. To my amazement, a variety of activated and contaminated lymph nodes confirmed up on the opposite aspect of my physique within the decrease stomach space. Full cease. My lumpectomy surgical procedure was scheduled for Could 28, however now one other biopsy is required to find out the following remedy — is it the identical or a distinct most cancers?
Whew. It turned out to be benign particles: polyethylene components of joint replacements. I certainly certified for the remedy. My proper knee has been changed 3 times. What a fluke! The excellent news of the PET scan is that each one my different physique components are unremarkable — such an detached however welcome description.
My surgical procedure was on Could 28 and I’ve been strolling a mile or extra a day ever since, and feeling superb. After the therapeutic from the surgical procedure, we are going to take care of the subsequent phases: radiation and any chemical systemic therapies.
I really feel very lucky. Many because of so many individuals: The proficient and clever medical suppliers at Mission Hospital and the Leonard Most cancers Institute in Mission Viejo, California, and the nurse navigators who made all of it go as easily as attainable for me. Susan Burnett was my first nurse navigator, and the subsequent one on the surgical stage was Marie Ramirez. Thanks each, and to all the remainder of the medical group. Dr. Marla Anderson was my surgeon; Dr. George Miranda was my medical Oncologist and Dr. Gene Liu was my radiation oncologist.
Your affected person, and your pal, “Betty”
This submit was written and submitted by Betty Geltz. The article displays the views of Geltz and never of CURE®. That is additionally not purported to be meant as medical recommendation.
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