PATIENT EXPERIENCE Amie’s race to beat cancer

Thanks to quickly seeking an evaluation, Amie Harris got treatment in time to beat breast cancer. She’s able to join her husband, Jeff, and daughter, Lexi, in cheering her son Zach, who’s a motocross pro.

Amie’s race to beat cancer

When it comes to catching breast cancer early, trust your instinct to get tested. It could help save your life.

Amie Harris, 50, of Lincoln, is by nature an optimist and a fighter. Those qualities, combined with the dedicated support of her family, her Bryan care team, doctors, rehabilitation therapists and her faith community, got her through her recent battle with breast cancer.

Amie, a certified medical assistant at Lincoln Pediatric Group, shares her story:

“One morning in December 2018, I had an odd feeling in my left breast. I did a self exam and right away I found a lump. I was scared of course, but my first thought was of my family — I decided that if this was cancer, I’d fight with everything I had.”

Friesen, MD, of Bryan Women’s Care Physicians, which is part of the Bryan Physician Network.

Dr. Friesen saw her for a breast exam and arranged a mammogram and breast ultrasound to evaluate further. Those tests and a later MRI revealed a solid breast lump one-half inch across.

Even Amie’s sneakers declare she’s taking a stand against cancer. Amie and her family enjoy watching motocross races throughout the Midwest.

“Dr. Friesen ordered a biopsy for the next day,” Amie says, “and we got the results a few days later.” diagnosis she met with general surgeon Greg Fitzke, MD, of Surgical Associates and medical oncologist Nathan Green, DO, of Southeast Nebraska Cancer Center She called her gynecologist, Corwin

to plan her treatment.

The doctors explained that each woman’s breast cancer treatment is tailored to her specific type of cancer and treatment decisions are made in collaboration with the patient.

“Amie has a strong mental attitude,” says Dr. Green. “She was very much a partner in her care and eager to get back to her busy lifestyle with her family.” So, together, Dr. Fitzke, Dr. Green and Amie decided on her treatment plan.

Amie underwent surgical removal (mastectomy) of her left breast in January 2019, performed by Dr. Fitzke.

In this together

The biopsy showed Amie did indeed have breast cancer.

“When Dr. Friesen talked with my husband Jeff and me, he said, ‘This is definitely not Corwin Friesen, MD, Greg Fitzke, MD, and Nathan the news I wanted to give you, Green, DO, helped Amie create her treatment plan. but the tumor is small, and we’ve found it early. We’re in this together, and we’ll get this taken care Fortunately, her particular type of cancer of.’ Jeff and I have tremendous confidence did not require postoperative chemotherin Dr. Friesen, which helped us face this apy or radiation therapy. really scary news.”

Fortunately, patients facing breast Her mark of courage cancer can get comprehensive treatment “I didn’t feel sad at all when I saw here in Lincoln, near their homes and myself in the mirror after surgery,” she families. In Amie’s case, the day after her says. “I feel like the scar on my chest is a

This story is brought to you by Sampson Construction.

Nurse navigator Joanna Morgan and oncologist Nathan Green, DO, helped Amie during her treatment and recovery from breast cancer.

mark of courage for a battle won — a reminder to always be a fighter.”

Guiding you through cancer care

“Bryan’s oncology nurse navigators are a great support to our patients,” says Dr. Fitzke. “They provide information about treatment and aftercare, and they connect patients and families with important resources. So, we always make sure our patients know that Bryan’s nurse navigators are there for them.”

Along with Bryan’s oncology social worker Joselyn Hayes, nurse navigators also help with financial and insurance concerns. Bryan’s nurse navigator program was started in part through generous support from the Bryan Foundation.

Oncology nurse navigator Joanna Morgan worked with Amie beginning right after her surgery, and throughout her recovery.

“Joanna had a lot of great information,” Amie says. “For example, she showed me how to use a post-operative camisole to hold the breast prosthesis and post-surgical drain in place, which helped me feel much more confident. She also — and this was a godsend — helped us find financial support to cover part of our medical bills. We were dealing with back-to-back insurance deductibles because my diagnosis came in late 2018, then my surgery was early in 2019, so our finances were really stretched. And she was extremely knowledgeable about cancer treatment.

“It really helped to know she was there when we had questions.”

Attitude is key

“Patient education is a big part of what we do,” Joanna says. “This includes teaching about physical changes that might indicate problems during recovery. Lymphedema is an important example.”

Very briefly, lymph fluid, which

supports our immune function, circulates in our bodies through a network of vessels called the lymphatic system, in a way similar to how blood circulates.

“Lymphedema is a type of swelling that can happen in patients’ limbs if the lymphatic system becomes partially blocked, as can happen after cancer treatment,” Joanna explains. “Patients are screened for lymphedema at follow-up visits, and they need to let their doctors know of any swelling they notice between visits. That’s important because if caught in time, therapy may help reverse lymphedema.”

Jeff, Lexi and Amie Harris watch Zach tackle a practice run.

Rehabilitation, then lifelong support

Rehabilitation therapists use a combination of exercise and other therapies to help patients regain strength and function after breast cancer treatment.

These services and more will be available when Bryan’s comprehensive community cancer center opens in south Lincoln. Services at the new facility also will include patient education about nutrition, stress management and restorative yoga, says Tracy Bender, director of rehabilitation at Southeast Nebraska Cancer Center.

In addition to rehabilitation services, Bryan provides long-term support services to patients after breast cancer treatment through the Lifespring cancer survivorship program. Lifespring provides support groups, education about health and wellness, and counseling on body image issues, sexual health and other concerns.

Back to doing what she loves

Now, less than two years after her breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, Amie and her family are back to their favorite activities, including Zach’s professional motocross competitions.

“I feel so lucky to be healthy again,” says Amie. “I’m tremendously grateful to my family, my doctors, my friends, my church community and others who helped me during my recovery.”

Dr. Friesen emphasizes that Amie’s quick action to get diagnosed and treated after she found her breast lump was key to her excellent outcome.

“Breast self-examination is something women of every age can do to protect their health,” he notes. “If a woman has a lump, skin dimpling or any other concerns about her breast health, she should always trust herself and contact her doctor. No breast change that makes a woman feel concerned should ever be dismissed until it is checked out completely by her health care provider.” n

For more information about breast cancer care, please see your physician.

To learn how you can support the work of Bryan Health, contact the Bryan Foundation at 402-481-8605.