Patient Perspective: Peggy
September 2015 started out just like any other month. That was until I noticed some skin changes and saw my doctor. He sent me to have a mammogram and biopsies to discover what was happening. When I heard the words “you have cancer” it turned my world upside down. How would I tell my family? I have two boys and a husband that depend on me. Being very active at the time, I wondered how my life would change. It was determined that I would need aggressive treatment. Intense chemotherapy and radiation left me with many issues such as burning and shooting pain in my right arm upon lifting and lymphedema in my right arm. While shopping, I could not lift my arm to reach the top shelf. When I went to TurningPoint for help with my lymphedema, they took the time to evaluate me to see what my issues were. Their therapists were compassionate and put me at ease. TurningPoint determined that I did not have nerve damage, but had bad cording in my right arm. I was ecstatic when I heard they could work with me to get full mobility of my arm and remove the pain. TurningPoint fitted me for my glove and sleeve, and now my arm no longer swells while walking. The exercises they taught me keep my arm flexible and strong. Shopping is now a breeze and I can reach those top shelves. TurningPoint has allowed me to keep up with my hobbies. I enjoy painting with my pink sisters, keeping up with my family activities, cooking, playing with my toy poodle and helping others who have been diagnosed with cancer. TurningPoint has so many things to offer, from physical therapy to counseling services. At TurningPoint you are more than a patient, you are a person and a friend. The massage therapy keeps you physically able to do the things you love and the dietitian shows how to boost your immune system and reduce side-effects of chemotherapy. The counseling services help you cope and manage your stress. TurningPoint gave me my life back and I cannot thank them enough. I hope all women with breast cancer learn about TurningPoint because they provide the means to get your life back on track, and everyone deserves a chance to have a happy and healthy life.
Patient Perspective: Anne Marie
As soon as I was diagnosed with breast cancer in May, 2016, I started keeping a medical journal. I honestly must say that the weeks following the diagnosis were some of the most stressful in my life. The medical journal helped me focus and gave me a sense of structure in my world, which seemed to be falling apart. Like many women, a cancer diagnosis took me by surprise. I lived a very healthy lifestyle and had a mammogram every year for the last 25 years. I’m sure every woman asks what could I have done differently to avoid this cancer diagnosis. When I asked the doctors, I was told there are many factors, so there was no definitive answer. After diagnosis there was so much information to digest, decisions to make, opinions to weigh, and doctors to see. The emotional roller coaster was not making things easy. Fortunately, I had a very supportive husband who was right by my side the whole time during the decision process. Once my medical course of action was decided, my stress level started to drop. In July I had breast surgery to remove my right breast, followed by radiation and hormone inhibitors. Soon after surgery, it became very apparent that physical therapy was very necessary because my range of motion was so limited and my upper body and abdominal strength was so diminished. I felt that I had aged 10 years. My plastic surgeon suggested TurningPoint. So, I made an appointment for physical therapy 7 weeks after surgery and started my 25 sessions of radiation therapy soon after. TurningPoint has made a difference in my physical and mental wellbeing. Not only did I receive excellent physical therapy, restoring my range of motion and abdominal strength, but I felt that I had entered a calming health spa each time I went. I really looked forward to my visits. Since then, I have attended TurningPoint’s free informational session concerning bone and joint health and a complimentary nutritional cooking class. I attended the 4 week Mindfulness course, where I saw my stress level come down from being practically “off the chart” to within normal range. This non-profit organization is centered on the physical and mental wellbeing of each breast cancer survivor who walks through its door. I’m glad they’re here for us!
Patient Perspective: Elise
My journey with breast cancer began in the spring of 2015. I was diagnosed with invasive DCIS. I had a lumpectomy and fairly quickly returned to life as normal. That life included living in Macon, working as an elementary music teacher, enjoying special times with my Mom, and spending time with family and friends. In September 2015, my mother passed away after a brief illness. She had truly been my cheerleader and support through my initial journey with breast cancer. Life had now changed unexpectantly, and there was soon to be another bend in the road. In December 2015, following my six-month check-up from my lumpectomy, I was diagnosed with DCIS again in the same breast. In January 2016, I had a bilateral mastectomy with latissimus flap reconstruction. I was very blessed to have a breast surgeon and a plastic surgeon in the Atlanta area from whom I received outstanding care. The road ahead to recovery was not one I had anticipated. My plastic surgeon highly recommended TurningPoint for rehabilitation after my surgery. For the sake of convenience, since I live in Macon, I inquired about physical therapists in the Macon area, and there was nothing that compared with the specialized care and expertise of TurningPoint. I was assured that it would be worth it, and I was definitely not disappointed! Upon my first visit to TurningPoint, I found a warm, inviting atmosphere that immediately put me at ease. After I left my first appointment, I had a real sense of hope – hope that I would once again, in time, return to normal movement and activity. In the months that followed, sweet friendships developed with the staff. I was blessed with more than just highly specialized physical therapy care; I was blessed with a new circle of support, new cheerleaders who were caring, compassionate, and understanding of my specific needs from my particular surgery. I looked forward to my appointments at TurningPoint; they were worth every mile! The Lord has lovingly provided family and friends to help and encourage me in priceless ways. TurningPoint has been a vital part of that. I am so very grateful for the wonderful work of TurningPoint and how they have ministered to me and been an integral part of my journey with breast cancer!
Patient Perspective: Carmen
Like many women, I was caught off guard with my breast cancer diagnosis. I had my annual checkup in November 2015 and the mammogram came back with calcifications on the right side. I discovered that 80% of the time they are benign. Surely I was within that percentage. The second set of x-rays didn’t clarify if cancer was lurking, so a biopsy was ordered. I tell people now I won the “booby” prize because, sure enough, I was in the 20%. Two days after my cancer diagnosis was confirmed, I hosted an engagement party for 50 people in honor of my son and his bride-to-be. The following day I flew to Orlando to help my daughter move back to Atlanta. I had a full life. I was busy. I was in what I call the cancer fugue. It’s the surreal time where you heard the diagnosis but you want to delay really acknowledging it just a little longer. Ten days later, I woke up in the morning and said. “Ok Carmen. How in the world are you going to handle this?” There is no handbook for “handling” a cancer diagnosis. No tried and true way to handle this process physically, emotionally or spiritually. It is very much a process. At some point you realize, you are a statistic of one. It’s your body and your life and your choices. No one knows how your body will handle treatment, how you will handle the many emotions and how well your body will fight a reoccurrence. I determined early on that this was not a journey – at least none that I would choose. This was the beginning of the rest of my life; the moment to start doing everything in my power to help my body heal. I wanted to do more than survive. I wanted to thrive with this diagnosis. I began collecting and researching resources. It was my full-time job. It was my life on the line. I had the lumpectomy in early March and it was during the subsequent radiation that I started physical therapy with TurningPoint. My initial thought was to help reduce the scarring from surgery. But I learned that radiation can cause cording and reduce your range of motion. I felt a constriction across my chest and my arm and back. So the therapy and the massage helped keep my muscles working and reduced the surgery scarring. I also learned patience from Grayson and Jyoti to just let my body heal. This is not a sprint; it’s a marathon. There’s no need to push your body. Just keep it moving! There is a strong gentleness to the way things are done at TurningPoint which is very soothing. The therapists meet you where you are and move you forward. And you learn the exercises that you will use for the rest of your life. Again, you are taking actions to help your body through the healing process. At the end of August, I set off by myself on a four-week road trip out west. It became an unexpected opportunity to meet wonderful people and reconnect with family. It was my road to a tremendous emotional and spiritual healing experience. I can do this cancer thing. I can live my life my way. I am thriving. So can you. No Rules!
