Patient Perspective: Christy Woods
My breast cancer journey began in March 2014 with the detection of a lump in my left breast. A biopsy yielded DCIS and an ultrasound indicated 3 tumors. I let family and friends know and I got lots of love, care and support through my 8 chemotherapy treatments, mastectomy, and 30 radiation treatments. While in radiation, my doctor and nurse practioner recommended I enlist TurningPoint to learn about lymphedema, improve my range of motion, and increase my overall well being. Along my journey, I was introduced to other survivors and all of them sang TurningPoint’s praises. Finally, I took everyone’s suggestion and came to TurningPoint and what a positive difference TurningPoint has made in my journey! The care, courtesy, and consideration of the staff made me feel like a woman capable of recovering as opposed to just another patient in a sterile medical environment. I met other survivors blossoming post treatment and felt like I could, too! Cathy and Jyoti provided personal attention and physical therapy increasing my range of motion and reducing the swelling in my arm and hand. Meera helped me feel pampered with massages. Lauren lovingly kicks butt in Pilates classes and the whole staff provides positive support all the way around. I am truly blessed to have found TurningPoint and now sing their praises to every breast cancer patient I meet! TurningPoint continues to be one of the positive gifts of my breast cancer journey—helping me discover rehabilitation and healing post treatment! My rehabilitation option through my insurance amounted to only one visit with a printout of exercises to perform at home. Through the generosity of TurningPoint’s donors and the financial assistance program, I have been able to receive the care I need. Thank you for all that you do to put the joy in fighting cancer and living! Christy Woods
Patient Perspective: Dianne Campbell
I never thought that it would be me. After discovering a small lump in 2013, the ultrasound didn’t show anything abnormal. One year later, I noticed the same lump growing in size, and now was very painful. At the age of 41, I had never had a mammogram. I kept putting it off because of all the stories I’ve heard. My Mum convinced me to go because the lump didn’t feel right. My first mammogram wasn’t as uncomfortable as I thought it would be. I regretted not going earlier when I found out the results. Being told that I had not one but three lumps was very disappointing. The biopsy showed two as cancerous and required a lumpectomy. Following the lumpectomy, it was devastating to hear that I had Stage II cancer and needed to have a mastectomy. As I sat in the Doctor’s office, I never cried so much in my life. A voice kept saying “You’re STRONG, You’ll FIGHT this!” The good news was, it was caught early and I would be okay. Through the grace of God, doctors, prayers, love, and support from family and friends I made it through this difficult procedure. I Am Cancer Free—Thank You Jesus!! I decided against Chemotherapy and believe that alternative and homeopathic medicine, along with good nutrition and exercise, are the key to healthy living. The pain after the surgery is really a dim memory. I recall that it was the most painful thing I’d ever experienced in my life. I had mobility problems with my left arm, shoulder, and chest. The aggravating pain was very discouraging and caused by a condition called cording. The therapists at TurningPoint are helping me be free of this crippling feeling. I heard about TurningPoint from a friend, who also had breast cancer and then from my doctor. They’ve truly been an inspiration to me. They provided information about nutrition, counseling, physical therapy and massage. Their Pilates class and routine stretching really has me on the right track, back to being able to do all the fun things that I love doing. I can’t express how much everyone at TurningPoint has encouraged me and given me a positive outlook on life. Thank You TurningPoint!!
Patient Perspective: Leslie Young
I will never forget the day that I received the news that no one ever wants to hear. It was October 15, 2013 when my biopsy results confirmed that I had breast cancer in both breasts. Having been very diligent about my annual mammograms and with no family history of breast cancer, my husband, two children and I were all very shocked. After the primary surgery, I was experiencing extreme muscle tightness, cording, and a very limited range of motion. I had been an avid tennis player and enjoyed working out on a regular basis, so I was feeling very debilitated. When I mentioned the discomfort to my plastic surgeon at a post-op visit, he immediately referred me to TurningPoint, where I quickly learned that I was having a very “normal” post surgery experience which put my mind at ease. Although it was not always easy to describe exactly what was bothering me, my physical therapists could always relate to what I was experiencing and knew exactly what to do for it. Between the therapy that I received at TurningPoint and the additional stretching exercises they gave me to do on my own, I began to notice an enormous change in how I felt. Feeling physically stronger enabled me to exercise more frequently and this, in turn, helped ease some of the emotions I was dealing with as well. TurningPoint has been life changing! Because of the radiation and multiple surgeries that I have had, I have spent quite a bit of time at TurningPoint over the past year and a half, and I couldn’t be more grateful for this organization. Their encouragement, support, and knowledge have been instrumental in helping me get back to my normal routines again. I continue to exercise and do the recommended strengthening activities to build my stamina back up to where it was, and I am finally feeling confident that I will be back out on the tennis courts before too long! I have received nothing but wonderful and professional care by the TurningPoint staff. I have also been blessed with their friendships, smiles, and positive attitudes—all of which have elevated my physical and emotional well-being! I cannot thank these compassionate women enough for all that they have done for me throughout my journey. Although I would never wish a cancer diagnosis on anyone, I will be forever thankful for the TurningPoint family that I have bonded with along the way, due to my diagnosis.
Patient Perspective: Mary Kay Griffith
Hi! My name is Mary Kay and this month (September) will be my third year as a breast cancer fighter and survivor. WOW! I am so very blessed to able to say that! I went for my annual mammogram and ultrasound in August 2012. It was there that my doctor found “something” on the ultrasound and wanted to schedule a biopsy. This did not alarm me because I had several biopsies in the past and none of them turned out to be troublesome. But then, on 9/11/12, life as I knew it came to a screeching halt. I received the call from my doctor herself, telling me I had infiltrating ductal carcinoma. While feeling my head spinning, hands shaking, knees getting weak, and my heart in my throat–I was in fight or flight mode! To me there was no choice–fight, fight, fight! I am a single parent with much life yet to experience with my son, so there was NO WAY cancer was going to get the best of me! My plan of attack consisted of a bilateral mastectomy with free-tram flap reconstruction, eight rounds of chemo, and 28 days of radiation. And I have had two more reconstructive surgeries in the past year and a half. Through it all, I have had an amazing support system of family, friends, and even people that I didn’t know who came from my friend’s church to bring us meals. I have also had an amazing team of surgeons, oncologists, and physical therapists, http://www.papsociety.org/xanax-alprazolam-1-mg/. During my post op exam, my doctor was telling me about lymphedema and what to look out for. She told me if I ever had any concerns to “go see those girls at TurningPoint. They know what they are doing and they are the best at it”. And she was spot on with her advice to me. I began having range of motion issues and tightness in my arm almost a year after surgery. As a pre-school teacher, I needed all the function and strength I could muster to keep up with my class! I recalled the doctor’s enthusiastic referral to TurningPoint and I called without delay. That was about a year and a half ago and I have been with team Lauren and Anita ever since! They have truly made a difference in my life and how I am healing through their knowledge, compassion, and true concern with what I am going through. I am very grateful for Lauren, Anita, and everyone who makes TurningPoint what it is–a place to help me heal, a place where I feel comfortable, confident, and understood. As I said earlier, I am blessed to be alive, but I most certainly did not get where I am all on my own–I had a lot of help along the way, for which I will be eternally grateful. It DOES take a village! Peace and love to all those who are fighting, surviving, and to those who are helping make it all happen!
