Page 1B • The Leader • May 11, 2013 • www.theleadernews.com
Cancer & Courage
Difficult news is eased with navigation from MHNW nurses by Michael Sudhalter michael@theleadernews.com Any cancer diagnosis is devastating news, but Memorial Hermann Northwest’s Angela Sisk, Oncology Certified R.N., makes that process easier for patients and their families. Sisk has worked in the role of Nurse Navigator for the past three-and-a-half years at MHNW. In addition to answerThe program at ing any medical questions Memorial Hermann Northand treatment options west is designed to help that any MHN cancer with more than health patients may have, she needs. It addresses social works with the families and emotional issues, on social, physical and as well. emotional issues. According to MHNW, a Nurse Navigator is “an expert oncology clinician and patient advocate who assists patients during their course of treatment.” Sisk helps uninsuranced and underinsured patients with financial/insurance concerns. “I work closely with patients, meet them when they come and provide emotional support, and answer questions they don’t understand,” Sisk said. She guides them from diagnosis through treatment and into survivorship, coordinating programs, support groups and teaching a weekly Yoga class, which was originally for cancer patients/survivors but now is open to all MHNW patients. She coordinates an American Cancer Society-sponsored program, “Look Good, Feel Better” to help cancer patients.
see Navigation • Page 2B Mother/daughter Irma Klink and Sasha Klein share more than beautiful smiles and a new boutique they’ve opened in Sugar Land. They are both breast cancer survivors. They, along with sister Francesca, (also pictured) are aware of just
how serious the disease can be. The pink dot in the painted tree on their wall depicts the loss of an aunt who passed away from a particularly aggressive form of breast cancer. (Submitted photo)
Battles create inseparable bond between mother, daughter by Karen Campbell For The Leader Mothers soon know what traits are inherited by their children. They look to see their smiles reflected on their children’s faces or a familiar sparkle in the corner of their eyes. They want to share interests and passions. But no mother ever wants to share the pain of hearing, “You have breast cancer” with her daughter. Yet Irma Klink did exactly that when – as a five-year survivor – she was there to hear the same diagnosis for her then 31year-old daughter Sasha Klein. Since the characteristically upbeat Sasha had suspected the grim news, she told her mother prior to sitting down with the doctor, “If it’s cancer, you’re taking me on a shopping spree!” Ultimately it was a shopping trip that created an even stronger bond between the mother/daughter. While shopping for a wig after Sasha was diagnosed, the two attractive and fashion-conscious women were struck by how depressing and unappealing their options were. Soon, they erupted in laughter as they nixed most of what they were seeing. And then they say Divine intervention came upon them. “We turned a sad moment into a happy wig shopping experience,” said Irma. “I turned to my daughter and we both had the same idea -- a cancer wellness boutique and studio spa. All women want to look and feel beautiful. And why not? Cancer shouldn’t stop us from being fabulous.” Cure & Co. is the result of the collaborative efforts of Irma and Sasha. Irma, an artist, brings her sense of style to the small space that includes lingerie and swimsuits for women post-mastectomy as well as jewelry and handbags that can easily hide drainage kits. Sasha, an aesthetician who cares for many familiar faces often seen in the news, relies on her expertise for
the selection of specialty skincare products and radiation creams. She even offers complimentary one-on-one makeup tutorials and facials for those going through chemotherapy through a program they’ve launched called “Fighting Facial.” This belief in giving back comes partly from the experience of having had to receive help themselves. Both women were without insurance when they got the news of their cancers. Irma had just stopped working when she found her lump. Sasha, a young mother of two, had decided to forego insurance for a few months in order to save up for some items for her children. So both women came to The Rose. The Rose is a nonprofit breast health organization that serves both insured and uninsured women and helps navigate those with a cancer diagnosis to treatment. “I am thrilled that we could be there for both Irma and Sasha,” said Dorothy Gibbons, co-founder and CEO of The Rose. “We know a woman’s chance of developing breast cancer increases if her mother, sister, and/or daughter have been diagnosed with the disease. Women, like Sasha, are why we never say, ‘You’re too young for a mammogram.’ Because that woman is not too young for breast cancer.” Last year, The Rose diagnosed more than 300 women – almost 10 percent of whom were under 40 years of age. At the soft opening of their new enterprise Cure & Co. in Sugar Land, Sasha shared the story of her experience with special guests Dorothy Gibbons and Cathie Sublett and Sally Reyes, staff from Patient Navigation at The Rose. Through tears, the young mother who was initially told not to worry, that “it” was nothing, but who found the truth at The Rose, said, “You saved my life. If not for The Rose, I wouldn’t be here today.” To hear Sasha’s story, visit www.TheRose. org. To learn more about Cure & Co. visit www.cureandcompany.com.
Network helps Gillespie overcome cancer fight by Michael Sudhalter michael@theleadernews.com Amber Gillespie faced the most difficult time in her life when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2012. But the 28-year-old Garden Oaks resident wasn’t going to let anything keep her from reaching her goals. “Cancer,” Gillespie said. “was not going to stop me from buying a house.” Gillespie, a San Antonio native, has lived in the Heights since 2008 and purchased a Garden Oaks home in the fall of 2012. Gillespie was shocked when she was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer. She’d always “had a clean bill of health”, exercised and had no family history of it. It’s also rare to get diagnosed at such a young age. Amber Gillespie “You become a survivor the day you’re diagnosed,” Gillespie said. A week after being diagnosed, Gillespie began eight rounds of chemotherapy at Kelsey-Seybold’s main campus. She went through radiation and hor-
see Gillespie • Page 2B
Historic Community. Legendary Care.
Dr. Olga Swanson of the Houston Heights Women’s Healthcare Center specializes in robotic assisted minimally invasive surgery at her practice on 20th Street.
Technology helps make healing experience better by Michael Sudhalter michael@theleadernews.com Dr. Olga Swanson of Houston Heights Women’s Healthcare Center has used advanced medical technology to create a better patient experience. While practicing medicine in her home state of Michigan, Swanson, an OBGYN, learned about minimally invasive robotic assisted surgery. The practice, located at 427 West 20th Street, Suite 301, is owned by St. Joseph’s Medical Center, located across the street. Instead of an eight-inch incision, the minimally invasive surgery only creates a half-inch incision, which means a quicker recovery and less time in the hospital. Many patients are in and out the day of procedure. “The healing time is huge,” Swanson said. “You can walk up and down the stairs as opposed to laying in bed for three or four days. There’s less blood loss and patients can return to their daily activities.” The surgeries are used for Hysteroscopy, Operative laparoscopy, surgical treatment for endometriosis, total laparoscopic hysterectomy and endometrial ablation. Swanson cited an article in the OBGYN News, which stated in the 1990s, only 14 percent of OBGYN patients had robotic assisted surgery, while the latest statistics, in
see Healing • Page 2B