May Patient Perspective
Lynn Stoudt It was still a very surreal moment when I was told that I had breast cancer, despite having multiple biopsies over the past 20 years. The next 6 weeks I was overwhelmed with appointments, procedures and decisions about my treatment plan and surgeon while still trying to function at work and home. I was incredibly fortunate to have family, friends, neighbors and colleagues that supported me in so many ways – meals, calls, cards, surprise packages, flowers, and visits. My daughter from San Francisco flew home to help. Among my siblings, I have a set of younger twin sisters who really stepped up with a game plan to give me something to look forward to upon completion of every stage of the process, including trips to the beach and Disneyland. Post-surgery, I had a lot of difficulty with range of motion and pain. While I had excellent treatment and care from my surgeon and health care providers, this did not seem to be a focus, and I assumed it was the “new normal”. At my last follow up, I expressed frustration with this to my surgeon, and he referred me for Physical Therapy. Having had PT for frozen shoulders before, I was skeptical as I was already trying some of those exercises without success – but my sister who is a Physical Therapist in Alabama suggested researching PT specialties – and I was incredibly fortunate to find TurningPoint. I sent her the link along with a couple of others that were closer to home, and she was very impressed with TurningPoint’s experience and focus and insisted this was the place to be! I am so grateful for the treatment and encouragement I have received from everyone at TurningPoint, but especially my PT team of Anita and Lauren. They always know exactly what to do to keep me progressing along. Now, instead of constant pain, I have infrequent pain, and I know what stretches to perform to get fast improvement. My range of motion is so much better that I no longer feel limited in daily activities. I actually feel stronger now than before I was diagnosed because I am actively focused on stretching and strengthening. I am able to enjoy life more because I have more energy. With the motivation and preparation of my TurningPoint team and my athletic and competitive (unlike me) twin sisters, I completed a 5K in January. My sisters’ first 15K of 2015 was the Hot Chocolate Race in Atlanta – given that I love chocolate, and the reward at the end of the race is a mug of hot chocolate, and a bowl of chocolate fondue with various items to dip in it – I figured what better event for me to try to participate in, and signed up for the 5K. We had a lot of fun preparing for the event and I was able to stay on the required pace of 15 minute miles – and in fact was by no means the last one to finish! I also took my first yoga class recently and am looking forward to practicing weekly! Through the motivation and success of my TurningPoint treatments, I am now enjoying my work-life balance by adding new activities to my schedule. Coming to TurningPoint has literally been a life changer for me!
April Patient Perspective
Karen Hamlin Six years ago, I was diagnosed with Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC). I chose full treatment- chemotherapy, bilateral surgery, radiation, and hormone therapy. I exercise, watch my diet, maintain a spiritually positive attitude, and continue to work even since my retirement. However, there are risks and side effects of treatment. At the beginning of last year, I was experiencing serious cramping of chest area muscles and an increase in lymphedema in my arms. My Radiation Oncologist recommended physical therapy at TurningPoint. It has been a pleasant and rewarding experience. The therapists are very positive and cheerful. They have encouraged me to do exercises and massages to reduce muscle cramping in the chest area and increase range of motion in the arms and shoulders. They have a relatively new piece of equipment, a Perometer, to measure lymphedema (swelling) in the arms. This helps me see the improvements I am making through exercise and use of the compression sleeves. It’s all about “know-how”, what I can do on a daily basis to improve my own well-being. TurningPoint has been there guiding me in this process. Thank you TurningPoint! Karen Hamlin, Breast Cancer Survivor
March Patient Perspective
Amena Mitchell In the spring of 2011 I noticed a small lump in the lower, inner quadrant of my right breast. I immediately panicked and called my doctor. I was scheduled for a mammogram shortly thereafter and was advised that it was a benign cyst and some calcification. Over the course of the following two years I went for routine mammograms and ultrasounds every six months. In April of 2013 I would learn that I had an early stage of breast cancer, which of course momentarily devastated me.tp admin I was diagnosed with DCIS, and the initial expectation was to surgically remove the impacted area, but upon further research I decided on a mastectomy. Of course this news took the wind out of my sails, and literally made me sick to the stomach, but I handled it with grace and moved forward with the process. On May 1st of 2013 my right breast was removed and the reconstruction process began. I was always optimistic that I would be just fine, but had no clue of the pending challenge I would face. I developed a condition called cording that caused the loss of mobility and limited the range of motion in my right arm. I was told it resulted from the build-up of lymphatic fluids due to the lack of movement post-surgery. This is where TurningPoint, my God-send, comes in. Approximately four weeks after surgery my Plastic Surgeon referred me for physical therapy. I literally could not do basic tasks that required the use of my right arm. I walked around like I had on an invisible sling because it hurt too much when I attempted to raise my arm. My first session at TurningPoint was the best and the worst… The best because I knew I was on the path to healing, but the worst because it was painful when my physical therapist, Lauren, first started the process of stretching and working the cording out. After that initial visit things got progressively better. Approaching two years after surgery, I will always have a special place in my heart for TurningPoint. I truly appreciate the kindness and care that the staff showers on all of their patients, as well as the encouragement to stay positive and motivated. Since my experience, I’ve trade-marked a Breast Cancer Awareness t-shirt: Size Doesn’t Matter, Finding The Cure Does™, and have committed to provide a percentage of the proceeds to TurningPoint annually. I will forever be an advocate and supporter of the cause and of TurningPoint! Amena Mitchell, Breast Cancer Survivor
TurningPoint’s Jill Binkley on 11Alive News
In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, 11Alive interviewed our own Jill Binkley helping to educate and create awareness about all the factors and support available to women on their recovery journey. TurningPoint Breast Cancer Rehabilitation helps to support hundreds of patients each year. Exercise is a critical component. Watch the video here:
