Spotlight on Two Breast Cancer Survivors at Houston Southeast

Contributed by Andrea Green, Campus Librarian

In another strong show of support during Breast Cancer Awareness month, October 2011, folks at our Remington College campuses across the U.S. wore pink and participated in local “Race for the Cure” walks/runs to help remember and honor those who have been affected by breast cancer and to encourage prevention awareness through support and education.

Our own Remington College – Houston Southeast Campus is blessed to have two survivors who were willing to share their stories with us and talk about how they learned their diagnoses, share details about their treatment, and relate how the diagnosis affected them and their loved ones: Dental Assisting Instructor Vicki Powell and Medical Assisting Student Elizabeth Miller.

Vicki Powell’s Story
Vicki Powell is a three-year breast cancer survivor. She had been getting regular mammograms due to a family history of cancer, and she was diagnosed during one of her annual exams, at Victory Breast and Diagnostic Imagery Center, in Dickinson, TX (http://www.victorybreastimaging.com/). Vicki was also experiencing some stressful events during that time in her life, which can also be a factor in breast cancer, as she was later informed by her doctor.

L to R: Dental Assisting Instructor Vicki Powell and Medical Assisting Student Elizabeth Miller.

At one particular screening, Vicki was informed of a suspicious spot on the film that needed further testing. She then underwent an ultrasound and an MRI. A biopsy was done, and the report came back with the frightening diagnosis: breast cancer.

Vicki’s treatment consisted of a partial mastectomy, followed by radiation therapy with the MammoSite® Five-Day Targeted System. This form of radiation treatment is done through a catheter and balloon system, which injects radiation seeds through a saline solution into the cavity formerly occupied by the tumor. This procedure is performed twice a day over a five-day period.

At the end of the treatment, the radiation seeds, balloon, and catheter are removed. After completing the radiation treatments, Vicki received chemotherapy every three weeks for six months.

Having received excellent care at the Baylor Clinic, part of the Baylor College of Medicine in the Medical Center in Houston, Vicki commented that the doctors were instrumental in helping her deal with her diagnosis and treatment. After three years as a survivor, she remains very positive and hopeful. I asked Vicki how she found the strength to handle the diagnosis and treatment, and she replied, “The love of my family and my faith in God kept me strong and helped me deal with my fears.”

Elizabeth Miller’s Story
Elizabeth Miller is a six-year survivor. She was also diagnosed during a routine mammogram at the Breast Diagnostic Center in Webster, TX (http://clearlakermc.com/our-services/breast-diag-center.dot). Elizabeth underwent a mastectomy and received follow-up radiation and chemotherapy at the Deke Slayton Cancer Center, also in Webster (http://www.texasoncology.com/deke-slayton/practice-information.aspx).

Amazingly, Elizabeth continued working and missed only five days of work during her radiation treatments and just over three days of work during her chemotherapy treatments. She stated that she was able to deal with this event emotionally and physically because of the support of her children and doctors, along with her friends and a deep faith. She noted that her hair loss was hard to deal with at first, but added that the difficulty was eased when she found wigs that felt natural and comfortable at a great wig salon near the Galleria.

I asked her what one factor helped her the most other than her support team, and her response was straightforward, simple, and powerful: “The loss of a breast is so much better than the loss of your life.”

We are deeply grateful to Vicki and Elizabeth for sharing their personal stories with us. Both ladies advise all women not to put off getting their mammograms. If finances are an issue, low-cost mammogram programs are available in your local community. Remember: Breast cancer is survivable, especially if it is caught early.

Resources:
http://www.mammosite.com/
http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/BreastCancer/index
http://www.the-rose.org/