Breast surgeons discuss why The MOZART System is better for their patients
#FearlessFridays
Stories
Tara Dunsmore ‘s Story
There are times in life where it feels like the entire world is crashing down at once. Whether it’s a first heartbreak at 15, the loss of a loved one, a tough diagnosis or financial troubles, these situations can change the course of a life forever. Those who make it past these situations generally say that they are better now because of the hardships that they have been through. Although cliché, this attitude is a perfect example of the saying, “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” Making the best of a horrible situation is difficult, but ultimately leads to a new-found purpose and peace.
Jen Hoverstad’s Story
A difficult diagnosis can come from anywhere at any time. The troubling truth with breast cancer is that there is no exact science as to how it comes about. Although genetics can play a major role, a diagnosis can come even without any prior family history. Could it be something in the water? Maybe. Maybe not. However, the truth is, an aggressive breast cancer diagnosis arrives out of nowhere and develops very quickly.
For this week’s installment of #FearlessFriday, we are taking a look at the story of Jen Hoverstad. Jen, a devoted mother of two was diagnosed with aggressive Stage III breast cancer at only age 34. Her official diagnosis report listed Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, HER2+ with one lymph node affected. This unfortunate turn of events came after Jen was performing a self-examination and noticed a raised discoloration.
Michelle Beck’s Story
Family history can have a serious impact on what happens in your life. The fascinating element of genetics is how some of the most random traits could pass down (like a great-grandmother’s blonde hair in a family full of brunettes). To make nature even more unpredictable, these traits have the ability to mutate; sometimes in a good way and other times not so much. One such mutation is the BRCA1 gene mutation, also known as the “Breast Cancer Gene”, that increases the risk for breast cancer by 55-65%. Be that as it may, breast cancer is still very possible even in people with an unmutated BRCA gene.
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Em Bennet’s Story
Most people are completely overwhelmed with their daily lives. Between paying bills, picking the right paint color for the kitchen, taking the car to the shop because it’s making that noise again, just making a flight or whatever it may be, there’s very little time for rest. For Em Bennett, her remarkably busy life was about to undergo an unexpected, more difficult challenge – breast cancer.
In 2016, Em found a lump while nursing her daughter. Fear instantly swept over the young mother so she quickly set up an appointment with her doctor.
Katie Hess’ Story
During one’s twenties, the biggest stressor should be paying off student loans, not dealing with an aggressive breast cancer diagnosis. Unfortunately, situations like this do arise and they change the persons’ entire life forever.
Katie Hess, now 15 years removed from her diagnosis, found her lump at the young age of 24. She was alone one night doing her self-examination when she noticed it.
April Doyle’s Story
The most gut-wrenching, heartbreaking words that somebody could hear are, “You have cancer.” There is a sense of panic and fear that sweeps over the person because they no longer know what the future holds. For one such lady, April Doyle, her diagnosis came at a crossroads in her life.
Emily Garnett’s Story
At 32 years old, the last thing a young mother would think about is breast cancer. Regrettably, this became the circumstance for Emily Garnett. On November 9th, 2017, after celebrating her wedding anniversary and son’s second birthday earlier that week, Emily’s primary care physician (PCP) found a lump. Her doctor was convinced that it wasn’t breast cancer, so Emily pursued a second opinion. Her main concern was the intense bone pain that forced her to take 14 ibuprofen a day just to function normally. Finally, she met a doctor who decided to get the lump checked out and it turns out that she had stage 4 metastatic breast cancer in her bones.
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Holly Bertone’s Story
What a strange feeling it must be to hear the words “you have breast cancer”, only to be followed by “Will you marry me?” forty-eight hours later. Unfortunately, this would end up being the case for the electric Holly Bertone. On her 39th birthday, Holly’s life was changed forever when she was informed of her diagnosis and two days later her boyfriend, now husband, proposed to her. Her life had just taken a dark turn, but with the proposal she thankfully had a light at the end of the tunnel.
Dr Sheri Prentiss’ Story
It requires a very strong woman to quickly shift from the role of a life-saver to a breast cancer fighter. Unfortunately, this is what befell the Loyola Stritch School of Medicine alum, Dr. Sheri Prentiss (aka “Dr. Sheri”). Performing a self-examination on October 1st, 2008, Dr. Prentiss noticed a mass in her right breast and knew immediately that it was cancerous. A few days later, she had a biopsy and it came back positive. At that point, her prognosis was very straightforward: lumpectomy and possible radiation, but things took a slight turn. Instead of a lumpectomy, she had a partial mastectomy and a level 1 lymph node dissection. Following the difficult surgery, Dr. Sheri began her 15 rounds of chemotherapy but developed excruciating chest pains. It turns out that the chemo was squeezing her arteries so tight, that it caused a more than 80% blockage of her right coronary artery. To make matters worse, after her 33 treatments of radiation she developed lymphedema; a disease where swelling, pain and numbness occurs due to lymphatic blockage. At this extreme low point in her life, Dr. Sheri prayed. Now disabled from performing the clinical functions of a career she’s wanted all of her life, she asked God to reveal her purpose.
Abigail Johnston’s Story
One day can change a life forever. In January 2017, at age 38, Abigail Johnston noticed a lump in her left breast. The mother of two decided that she needed to act rapidly as she was tandem breast feeding her children. Upon meeting with her lactation consultant, she was told to visit her Primary Care Physician (PCP) and get the lump evaluated. Her PCP responded by having Abigail undergo a mammography, just as a precaution because her mother was then a 14-year breast cancer survivor
