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!
Patient Perspective: Dianna
Through all the medical appointments, tests, MRIs, surgeries, radiation, and getting ducks-in-a-row for working at home after surgery, I don’t think I ever took a deep breath (literally and figuratively) until I came to TurningPoint. My quality of life has greatly improved because of the expert care and guidance I have received from the knowledgeable, dedicated and caring staff at TuningPoint. EVERYONE I have had contact with at TurningPoint is compassionate and clearly interested in helping patients gain the best quality of life possible. With the help of TurningPoint, I have improved the range of motion in my arms, improved my posture, learned how to manage lymphedema, learned stretching exercises which I can use at the work place, learned how yoga can benefit my health, received nutritional information and learned how a simple thing like breathing correctly can help release stress and help the body heal. Many people helped me through this difficult time. Friends, neighbors and coworkers prepared meals for me and my incredible, loving husband was by my side to help me with whatever I needed. I am very grateful to all of those kind people who took time out of their busy lives to help me. I am also profoundly grateful for all that TurningPoint has done for me and thankful also for the compassionate help provided to the many women who come through their doors. When I became a Medicare-insured patient at the age of 65, my gynecologist of 15 years would no longer provide health care services to me. I contacted several gynecologists before finding a doctor that accepted Medicare-insured individuals and would take me as a new patient. I’m grateful that TurningPoint accepts what my Medicare insurance reimburses. I suspect that the amount Medicare and my supplemental insurance reimburse TurningPoint does not adequately cover the cost of the care I receive. Therefore, I also greatly appreciate those in the community who donate their time, effort and resources supporting TurningPoint so that this organization can continue providing the haven it does for so many women.
Patient Perspective: Ashley
This spring, two months after my diagnosis and three weeks after my mastectomy, I called to make an appointment with TurningPoint to begin my physical therapy. I knew I wanted to have my Physical Therapy with TurningPoint for two reasons. First, my good friend Ashley had told me that TurningPoint was the only answer to assist me in the best recovery experience. Second, I wanted to be with a practice that focused entirely on breast cancer patients. I wanted the best of the best (don’t we all?). I had started to develop some pretty intense cording and knew I needed help to gain relief. I have been so impressed with Grayson and Anita who provide a personalized experience, always checking on my family and recent doctor appointments. They were very understanding when chemo, fatigue, or a PICC line got in the way of my progress. In a world where one can feel like just another patient and in and out of so many doctor’s appointments it was such a sweet breath of fresh air to be a part of the TurningPoint family–where you looked forward to the appointments instead of having anxiety; where you left feeling relaxed and encouraged instead of defeated. I never left feeling sore or tense. It was always the exact opposite. I looked forward to my PT appointments because I knew my therapist would release tension; not cause it. I was declared cancer free on June 29. I have now completed chemo and have just finished my reconstructive surgery August 4. Overall, as I’m coming to a close on this part of my breast cancer journey and starting the new journey of a survivor I can look back and say confidently that there were five things that supported me through these 6 months: my faith in my Savior Jesus Christ, my Browns Bridge Church community, my family and friends, my amazing doctors and TurningPoint. These five all go together. Not one of them is the weakest link. I would not be where I am today without each of them working together.
Patient Perspective: Maria
January 2016 got here quite calmly – until January 26th – the day of my breast cancer diagnosis. Why me? I did things the “right” way. I breast fed my five children, I sort of eat okay and I sort of exercise. My husband and I were settling in to our fifth year of marriage and combining our family of eight children. On top of that, I was eight months in to my favorite job with the Jekyll Island Authority. I am way too busy for this. I spent about a minute contemplating “Why me”? I have a family to take care of – my number one priority! I reluctantly changed my thoughts to “Why not me?” God’s plan is not my plan and this was another moment in my life where I prayed my breath prayer…..”This too shall pass, God how do you want to use me on this journey?” I pray that a lot! With the all-important support of my faithful husband, our four parents, our children, my brother and sister and the rest of our extended family and friends, I underwent a double mastectomy and removal of the right sentinel node on February 12th. With the help of my gynecologist who delivered my five children, I met an amazing cancer surgeon and plastic surgeon who scheduled me quickly and that was a blessing. An integral part of my journey has been the team at TurningPoint – they truly were my turning point. I heard about TurningPoint from both of my wonderful surgeons and their assistants. The day I left my first physical therapy appointment, I cried in the Roswell Road parking lot and thanked God for placing the TurningPoint team in my life. I knew I had found the answer to prayers. I left my first appointment with Lauren and for the first time since January 26th – I felt like I would be normal again – a new normal, but normal. Beyond feeling normal, they helped me to feel so much better physically and emotionally. Lauren and Anita were so patient with the myriad of questions and incredibly reassuring. As women, mothers and full time employees – we take care of others first. The most important thing to do during this time in your life is to take care of yourself first. I didn’t do it – none of us do – but make the time for TurningPoint and encourage others that you meet in our fight to do the same. Let others cook your meals. I didn’t cook for two months. For my family, this was the best part of having Mom down for a while. The prayers will be felt and you will meet people you never knew existed that will enhance your soul. I have been so blessed by the angels that have crossed my path. Would I take back everything that I have been through? Absolutely, because I am not a fighter. However, I have learned that I can fight this because I want to be here for my husband and my children. I want to love on my grandchildren and be with our parents for years to come. I can’t wait to go to my first TurningPoint Pink Affair on March 11, 2017. That night, I will celebrate with other cancer survivors and embrace that I am just over one year cancer free. To all of the newbies out there, be strong, be brave and lean on those us who have “been there, done that”. Know that each journey is individual and frightening, but remember, “THIS TOO, SHALL PASS!” Thank you TurningPoint Team for being part of my team and continue to do your wonderful work inspiring your patients to be survivors.
