Think Pink 2016

Uninsured, under-insured have options State, local programs make mammograms more accessible JUSTIN CONN

H&R Staff Writer‌

M 1

‌DECATUR — The Affordable Care Act mandated that health insurance have free mammograms for women 40 and older, but there are still women who don’t have access.

Fortunately, there are programs available locally to help the uninsured and under-insured.

The American Cancer Society recommends that women with an average risk of breast cancer should undergo regular screening mammographies starting at age 45 years — even earlier if there’s a family history. For the uninsured or those with insurance policies that don’t pay for mammograms, a mammography costs between $80 and $120.

For women with no insurance, Decatur Memorial Hospital offers no-cost screenings through the DMH Breast Center Mammography Initiative.

Women between the ages of 35 and 64 who meet the financial guidelines based on family income and have no insurance are eligible. Women 65 and older can get their mammograms covered through Medicare.

To make an appointment, call (217) 876-1111.

“People just need to call our scheduling department and they’ll ask certain questions to see if you qualify,” DMH Breast Center Patient Navigator Heather Ludwig said. “If you qualify, then they’d schedule you for an appointment. You do have to have a physician to be eligible for the program.”

The Mammography Initiative is a screening. If there are any breast problems — lump, drainage, dimpling or puckering — a diagnostic is needed.

DMH has a diagnostic mammogram program available. Patients should ask their doctor about it, or if they don’t have a doctor, call (217) 876-2856.

“If you call here we’re going to try to get you to the right person who can help you,” DMH Mammography Coordinator Karen Oesch said. “We’ll talk to you and try to figure it out.”

For women without insurance, another option is Crossing Healthcare.

Crossing offers mammograms the first Wednesday of every month and patients must call (217) 877-9117 to schedule an appointment. The service isn’t free, but Crossing uses a sliding fee program that’s based on the patient’s family size and household income.

Anyone who shows up at DMH or Crossing without health insurance will be encouraged to sign up through healthcare.gov. With the Affordable Care Act increasing the amount of people with insurance coverage, and requiring insurers include free mammograms beginning at age 40, most have mammograms covered in their policies.

“That’s been really helpful,” Ludwig said.

But there are still under-insured women. The DMH Mammography Initiative only covers the uninsured, but anyone who is uninsured or under-insured can get a free mammogram through the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (IBCCP).

Run by the Illinois Department of Public Health, the IBCCP provides free screenings for any Illinois woman 35 to 64 who need help, whether they’re uninsured or under-insured.

To get screened, go to www.cancerscreening.illinois.gov, or call the Illinois Women’s Healthline at (888) 522-1282.

“They’ll send you enrollment forms you have to complete and they’ll set up the appointment with who they want you to go to,” DMH Breast Center Patient Navigator Pam McMillen said.

JIM BOWLING PHOTOS, HERALD & REVIEW‌

Radiation therapist Mendi Kondritz hands breast cancer patient Barbara Rosenbury a positioning aid while preparing Rosenbury for a CT Scan before a radiation treatment at HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital Cancer Care Center.

Thankful for survival After tears, breast cancer treatment, women count blessings JUSTIN CONN

H&R Staff Writer‌

DECATUR — Barbara Rosenbury ‌ looked in the mirror with her shirt off for the first time since a double mastectomy and cried.

The surgery saved Rosenbury’s life, but seeing two scars where breasts used to be was a dose of reality Rosenbury wasn’t ready for when she arrived home from the hospital.

Kelly “The first time Mahoney you’re in the bathroom by yourself and you undress and look in the mirror, and you see these two horrible scars across your chest — it’s a feeling I’ll never forget,” Rosenbury said. “I cried, and it was a long time before I would let my husband see.”

The shock, though, is wearing off, and Rosenbury is thankful for what she has — a loving, supportive husband who loves her even without breasts.

“My husband has been such a rock through all this,” Rosenbury said, with tears filling her eyes. “I probably will not opt for reconstruction — I don’t want to go through surgery again. We decided we’re comfortable with the way I am now. He doesn’t miss my breasts. I guess you never say never, but it’s just not a priority right now.”

Breast cancer victims like Rosenbury and fellow Decatur resident Kelly Mahoney are among the growing numbers surviving the disease because of earlier, more frequent screenings, and continued advances in medical technology.

Mahoney, a 45-year-old single mother of two, was diagnosed with breast cancer a year ago during a routine mammogram. She had a lumpectomy and, though still receiving “maintenance chemo,” is back to work.

“My kids were my first concern,” Please see PATIENTS, Page G4

Radiation therapists Keri Reel, foreground, and Mendi Kondritz observe as a CT scan is taken of breast cancer patient Barbara Rosenbury before her radiation treatment at HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital Cancer Care Center.

Therapy helps maintain mobility Lymphedema can be issue after some cancer surgery DONNETTE BECKETT

H&R Staff Writer‌

‌DECATUR – Breast cancer surgery can affect other parts of the body. One of the most common areas is the arms.

After returning home, patients may find their clothes or jewelry are tight, their arms feels heavy or their arms have decreased mobility. Those symptoms could signal lymphedema.

During surgery, the surgeon may remove or disturb the lymph nodes. For breast cancer patients, the most commonly disturbed lymph nodes are lo-

cated in the armpit. The body naturally reacts to an injury by flooding the area with fluid through the lymph nodes.

The surgery can cause a malfunction in the lymph system.

Lymphodema can cause swelling in the breast, arms, legs or neck. “It could be anywhere in the body where you’ve had surgery that has disturbed the lymph nodes,” said Theresa Miller, Occupational Therapist at HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital. “The fluid does not properly drain.”

Miller compared the problem to a clogged bathtub. Physical and occupational therapists are able to assist patient in draining the fluid. “We have to clear that drain, but we have to go

ONLINE For more information on Lymphedema, visit the National Lymphedema Network website at www. lymphnet.org into other areas of the body,” she said.

The fluid can not be drained with a needle. Instead, therapists must work on other areas of the body where the other 600 lymph nodes are functioning well. They massage the fluid of the involved area and move it to an area where the lymph nodes are functioning better. The patient eventually uri-

nates the fluid out of the body. “If the fluid stays for too long, it can become vibrionic, or it gets very thick,” Miller said. “It gets backed up and then nothing moves.”

“You may get cellulitis at that point, which is a skin infection” said Beth Dighton, Occupational Therapist Assistant at HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital.

Most therapists in the cancer field watch for signs of lymphedema before the patient leaves the hospital. Mary Jesse, Physical Therapist with Decatur Memorial Hospital, often works with surgeons before surgery. “We will do measurements to determine the girth Please see THERAPY, Page G4

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Mammograms among many diagnostic tools DONNETTE BECKETT

H&R Staff Writer‌

DECATUR – Before health ‌ professionals were able to genetically profile patients to determine breast cancer risk factors, they used only one tool — a mammogram.

Baseline mammograms were given to women younger than 40 and then every year until women were no longer mobile.

“It was a good test, because screening saves lives,” said Decatur Memorial Hospital Radiologist Dr. Jonathan Locke.

The yearly test is still an important tool in early detection.

However, hospitals and cancer centers now have easier, and clearer, devices and tests to assist in finding cancer.

After years of research, doctors have found cancer screenings need to fit the patient’s needs. “We want to do what is best for the patient,” said Karen Oesch, DMH mammography coordinator. “This isn’t a onesize-fits-all.”

The most common screenings offered in Central Illinois are mammograms, ultrasounds and Tomosynthesis mammography, or 3-D mammography.

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner recently signed a bill into law requiring insurance companies cover 3-D mammograms. “The insurance companies are not allowed to refer to the procedure as an elective,” Oesch said. “It is the future of mammography.”

In Decatur, 3-D mammogram

SUBMITTED PHOTO‌

The 3D mammagram, left, allows technologist the opportunity to see any abnormalities clearer than traditional mammography images, right. The test is more common for patients with dense breast tissue eliminating the glands and other white background, thus highlighting the cancer. screening is available at Decatur Memorial Hospital.

The 3-D screening is still a mammogram and requires a series of breast compressions.

However, instead of the four photos required with a regular mammogram, the patient gets six photos taken at various angles. According to Oesch, no more radiation is needed for 3-D. The 3-D mammogram creates a more clear image of the cancer.

The breast cancer spots appear on the images as white. In a typical mammogram, the glands also

appear as white. “It is not good when the glandular density is dense,” Locke said. “If you take the breast cancer out of the white and put it on a black background it is more easily seen.”

Two factors determine which tests will be given to a patient: risk factors and breast density.

During their initial visit, patients are given a questionnaire to determine their risk of breast cancer. Women are asked various questions including their family history of breast cancer, their age during their first menstrual cycle

and how many births have they have had. The questionnaire determines the patient’s score; the higher the number, the greater the risk.

Density of the breast tissue is another factor. The denser the breast, the more difficult it is to see cancer on a mammogram image. Therefore, further tests will be needed.

After all factors have been studied, the doctors will then decide on the types of screening. All patients will begin with a mammogram.

Maintaining calm in the confusion Navigators offer friendly faces, helpful advice to patients DONNETTE BECKETT

H&R Staff Writer‌

‌DECATUR – Health professionals in the field of breast cancer treatment experience the fear and uncertainty of a diagnosis through the eyes of patients.

Whenever they encounter a new patient, the staff at both Decatur cancer centers reach out with an offer of help before the patient even thinks to ask for it.

“We get them started and help them navigate,” said Heather Ludwig, Decatur Memorial Hospital Breast Center Patient Navigator. Ludwig and co-worker Pam McMillen are two of the resources a patient can call upon throughout her life with the disease.

“At DMH, the breast navigator is a nurse,” McMillen said. “We are a consistent point of contact.”

The navigator shares available resources and customizes them to the patient’s needs. They are often in contact with support groups, rehabilitation services, nutrition counseling and financial services.

The team also makes sure questions are answered or direct

the patient to the appropriate resources. “They don’t know what is available,” McMillen said.

Valerie Jordan is the director of oncology at St. Mary’s Hospital Cancer Care Center. She makes sure she gets to know her patients shortly after they receive their diagnosis.

“We meet them where they’re at, when they walk through the door,” she said. “By getting to know them and developing a relationship, we get to know their needs.”

Jordan utilizes the entire staff at her facility as support for the patient. “It’s not a specific group,” she said.

St. Mary’s partners with the American Cancer Society in providing many immediate financial needs, such as rides to and from appointments or gas cards. The society also offers programs, such as Road to Recovery and Look Good Feel Better, to help with the emotional struggles associated with breast cancer.

“We are able to meet a lot of their needs here in our department,” Jordan said.

Patients have also found strength and answers through support groups, such as Look Good Feel Better as well as HER (Helping Each Other Recover) and Pink Link.

Spiritual care is an important

NOT just a Walk in the Park

“We meet them where they’re at, when they walk through the door.

By getting to know them and developing a relationship, we get to know their needs.”

Valerie Jordan, director of oncology St. Mary’s Cancer Care Center

develop a safe zone to talk openly about problems.

“We are more in tune with them,” Jordan said. “Maybe more than their physician.”

After the patient has finished treatments, the DMH breast center patient navigators offer a Survivorship Care Plan. The package contains all of the patient’s history during the disease, including the type of cancer, a summary of treatments, their doctors and follow-up care.

“Patients are allowed to take this information home with them,” Ludwig said.

“If they move they have it with them,” McMillen said.

Because each patient has personal worries and troubles with breast cancer, the support staff treats each as an individual. “They can call at any point,” Ludwig said. “We also touch base with them throughout their treatments.”

Comfort is concern No. 1 for the staff at both facilities.

“It’s a hard disease,” Jordan said. “And the support doesn’t have to come in the form of a support group; it can come in the form of a friend. It is important to know that you are not alone and to reach out.”

part of St. Mary’s cancer support system. The staff has found a less-formal atmosphere works best.

Sister Anna Phiri is a common face among the staff at the Cancer Care Center, often seen praying with patients in the chemo room, hospital rooms and their homes. “If I close my eyes and I picture Jesus here on earth, it’s her,” Jordan said.

“The sister just sits, knits and prays,” Jordan said. “It is her calming presence here.”

The staff at both cancer facilities, including nurses, radiation therapists and counselors, see the patient every day. They describe themselves as the eyes and ears of their facilities. By dbeckett@herald-review.com|(217) developing a relationship, they 421-6983

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH EVENTS Be Aware Women’s Fair‌

month, but patients must register.

WHEN: Wednesday, Oct. 5 WHAT: A fun and informative day WHERE: Crossing Healthcare, devoted to the physical, emotional 320 Central Ave. and financial health of women.

TO REGISTER: Call (217) 877WHEN: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, 9117.

Oct. 8 WHERE: Illinois State Fairgrounds Real Men Wear Pink‌ FOR MORE INFORMATION: Go to WHAT: Area football teams help BeAwareWomensFair.com. raise awareness through the St. Breast Cancer Support Mary’s Hospital program and encourage women to get a mammoGroup‌ gram.

WHAT: A support group for surWHEN: Games are Fridays. Fans vivors, their spouses, family and and others in the community are friends. encouraged to wear pink on Fridays.

WHEN: 5 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 11 Oct. 7: Maroa-Forsyth vs. RiverWHERE: Room E-118, Clarke Con- ton ference Room, Memorial Medical Oct. 14: Cerro Gordo-Bement vs.

Center, Springfield Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-HamEarly Detection mond; MacArthur vs. Chatham Glenwood; St. Teresa vs. Sullivan-Okaw Connection‌ WHAT: Women can drive through Valley Oct. 15: Millikin University vs. Auand receive information about gustana College breast cancer along with a bagel Oct. 21: Argenta-Oreana vs. Cumand a free gift.

WHEN: 7 to 8:30 a.m., Friday, berland; Eisenhower vs. Springfield Sacred Heart Griffin Oct. 7 WHERE: DMH Express Care Women’s Wellness Event‌ North, 3131 N. Water St,; Cancer Care WHAT: Learn about services for Center of Decatur, 210 W. McKinley cancer patients, screening informaAve.; South Shores Kroger, 255 W. tion and presentations from doctors.

1st Drive; DMH Shelbyville Medical WHEN: 4:30 to 7 p.m., Thursday, Center, 415 N. Cedar St., Shelbyville Oct. 13 FOR MORE INFORMATION: Call WHERE: Keller Convention Center, 217-876-4377.

1202 N. Keller Dr., Effingham TO REGISTER: Visit St. Anthony’s web site at stanthonyshospital.org/ Mammograms‌ WHAT: Crossing Healthcare has wwe or call 217-347-1529. Pre-regismammogram breast exams avail- tration is required and must be comable the first Wednesday of each pleted by Oct. 5.

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Come Together Let’s Walk for more information and special events.

detect and identify breast lumps, it can not detect early cancers.

According to Locke, the majority of women are at an average risk and require only a mammogram.

However, patients who have tested positive for the breast cancer gene have a 20 percent chance of getting the disease.

These patients will receive a mammogram as well as an MRI. The alternative choices include a screening MRI, molecular breast JUSTIN CONN, HERALD & REVIEW‌ imaging (requiring an inDecatur Memorial Hospital jection of a radiotracer Mammography Coordinator Karen dye), ultrasound and 3-D Oesch shows how to use the DMH mammograms. “Studies Breast Center’s 3-D Tomosynthesis have been shown none Mammogram machine. have been able to replace a mammogram,” Locke Mammography works well said. “These tests are supplewith women who do not have mental screenings and each hosdense breast tissue or risk fac- pital and breast facility has their tors. “You don’t need anything own preferences.” more than a mammogram,” Insurance is also a factor when Locke said of those patients. deciding on further testing. UlPatients with dense breast trasound procedures are considtissue, but no risk factors, may ered a supplemental test usually receive a 3-D mammogram after suggested by a doctor and are the initial mammogram. If the covered by the majority of inpatient has dense breast tissue surance companies. On the other and high risk factors, she will hand, MRI screenings are exthen receive a regular mammo- pensive. Locke has found many gram and an ultrasound. “It is patients have difficulties dealing two pieces of the puzzle,” Oesch with their insurance companies. said.

“They make it really hard to do An ultrasound is a procedure the procedure,” he said. using high frequency sound waves to view certain areas of dbeckett@herald-review.com|(217) the body. Although it is a tool to 421-6983

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Come Together Let’s Walk still striding JUSTIN CONN

H&R Staff Writer‌

‌ ECATUR — There’s a lot of D money raised for breast cancer, but only one way to make sure that money will be spent in Macon County.

Come Together Let’s Walk is an annual fundraiser that raises money to fund grants for local breast, ovarian and cervical cancer programs.

The event began in 1991 as Race for the Cure, while Cindy Deadrick Wolfer worked in the Decatur Memorial Hospital Foundation Office. But it changed seven years ago.

“The Race for the Cure was going to make some changes, and we decided we’d start our own event to make sure the money stayed local, and also because we’d had a lot of women over the years with cervical and ovarian cancer who wanted to participate, too,” Deadrick Wolfer said.

The event is held at Fairview Park and is always the last Saturday in June — the next one will be June 24, 2017. This year there were 200 volunteers and 1,300 participants. Around $35,000 was raised.

Most of the money goes to programs at DMH and HSHS St. Mary’s, though sometimes other local organizations are awarded.

Applications for grants for next year will be available beginning Nov. 1. The grant can only be awarded to organizations — not individuals — and the program must focus on ovarian, cervical or breast cancer. For an application, call (217) 433-5434.

“The local hospitals get a significant portion because they have the most programs, but there have been a lot of different ones over the years,” Deadrick Wolfer said.

The DMH Breast Center frequently writes for Come Together Let’s Walk grants for different programs, services, outreach and education concerning breast cancer. The DMH Breast Cancer Mammography Initiative, which provides free mam-

Come Together Let’s Walk Come Together Let’s Walk will begin accepting applications for grants on Nov. 1. For an application, call (217) 433-5434. mograms for uninsured women, is among the programs funded, along with two support groups and aid for survivors. DMH also has an outreach and education program.

“There are people who call in who want education for their group or corporation — we can provide them with that,” DMH Breast Center patient navigator Heather Ludwig said.

The grant also funds DMH’s Early Detection Connection, which is held from 7 to 8:30 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 7, at four locations — DMH Express Care North, 3131 N. Water St.; Cancer Care Center of Decatur, 210 W. McKinley Ave.; South Shores Kroger, 255 W. 1st Dr.; and DMH Shelbyville Medical Center, 415 N. Cedar St. “We’ll give out information bags, a gift and a bagel to people who drive through,” DMH Breast Center patient navigator Pam McMillen said.

For more information about DMH’s Early Detection Connection, call (217) 876-4377.

Recent funds have also went to PawPrint Ministries and the Gallery 510 October National Arts Show.

Deadrick Wolfer said she continues to lead the Come Together Let’s Walk fundraiser because of the people she’s known over the years who have been affected by cancer.

“It’s a great opportunity for the community to come together in this fight and provide awareness to women that they need to take care of themselves and get the screenings they need,” Deadrick Wolfer said.

Real Men Wear Pink in its 10th year JUSTIN CONN

H&R Staff Writer‌

‌DECATUR — Real Men Wear Pink in Decatur began in 2007 as a show of support from men to the women in their lives and their health.

But it took football to bring the message to the masses.

In its first two years, Real Men Wear Pink (RMWP) in Decatur was a billboard with some prominent men in the community dressed in pink clothes supplied by the Brass Horn.

In 2009, Millikin women’s basketball coach, two-time breast cancer survivor and then-HSHS St. Mary’s Oncology Board Chair Lori Kerans had the idea to bring the campaign to the high schools through football. The result is 15 area schools holding annual events in September and October raising awareness in Macon County and the surrounding area of the disease and what can be done to help prevent it.

RMWP originated through HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield and the American Cancer Society in 2006. Former Millikin women’s basketball assistant coach Dick Marshall had a heart attack and was undergoing surgery, and Kerans was there visiting him when she noticed a sign on an elevator.

“There was a big poster of a doctor, the mayor … and some other rich guys, and it said, ‘Real Men Wear Pink in October,’” Kerans said. “That was back before it was cool to wear pink in October.”

Kerans took the idea to the St. Mary’s Oncology Board and a similar campaign was started in Decatur. By the second year, St. Mary’s was hearing from several groups in the community wanting to get involved, including the Macon County Farm Bureau and Decatur Fire Department.

As the board met before the 2009 campaign trying to come up with ways to spread the message, board member Tom McNamara — sports editor of the Decatur

Lisa Morrison, Herald & Review‌

Meridian High School football players participate in a past Real Men Wear Pink campaign.

Tribune — had to leave to go cover a football game. That’s when the idea to reach an audience through high school football surfaced.

“Our first couple years we had the mayor and (WSOY’s) Brian Byers — people who shopped at the Brass Horn — but those weren’t the people we needed to reach,” Kerans said. “We wanted to reach everyone — especially the underserved and the under-insured.

“The night Tom had to get going to a game, we started talking about football and bringing this to the local high schools and getting them to wear pink on Fridays in October for their moms and grandmas. We weren’t sure if people would do it — that was before the NFL started doing it. But Tom and I split the names up and we started calling, and to a person they all said, ‘Absolutely. We’ll do anything to help.’”

Maverik Marketing began supplying pink gear for the football teams and it’s become tradition — pink socks, wristbands, T-shirts and gloves will be seen all over the area for the next month.

“It got legs, then it grew wings and now it has a life of its own,” Kerans said. “We joke all the time that we should take credit for what you see now, as far as at the NFL and college levels.

“We just wanted a way to help educate young men about an is-

Upcoming RMWP nights Oct. 7: Maroa-Forsyth vs.

Riverton Oct. 14: Cerro Gordo-Bement vs. Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond; MacArthur vs. Chatham Glenwood; St. Teresa vs. Sullivan-Okaw Valley Oct. 15: Millikin University vs.

Augustana College Oct. 21: Argenta-Oreana vs.

Cumberland; Eisenhower vs.

Springfield Sacred Heart Griffin

The schools were told from the beginning to make what they wanted of the event, and most of them have. Central A&M, in addition to its Pink Game that was held on Sept. 16, holds an annual bike ride. Sangamon Valley, which also had its Pink Game on Sept. 16, has a bags tournament.

“The schools get it,” St. Mary’s Director of Oncology Valerie Jordan said. “And at this point it’s filtered down to the junior highs and grade schools.”

Kerans said while the impact of the campaign isn’t easy to measure, she believes it’s helped break the ice for families to broach the subject.

“I believe that some women have gotten mammograms, seen their doctors or just done a better job at self-care because their son came home and said, ‘Mom, I love you, and I want you to take care of yourself,’” Kerans said.

Jordan said reaching young people with the message has been invaluable.

“The youth are the future of oncology — it’s likely going to be one of them that discovers the cure,” Jordan said. “This gets them knowing about these issues and making it more real at a young age.”

sue for the women in their lives and have them encourage their moms, grandmas and sisters to get tested. It takes courage for a young man to take the time to think about women’s health care, and to go up to their mom, give them a hug, say I love you and encourage them to get tested. That was always a goal.”

Kerans is no longer involved with RMWP, but is proud every Friday in October when she sees pink everywhere she turns.

“I don’t go many places where I don’t see those shirts — pink has become a fall color,” Kerans said.

“I helped grease the skids and get it started, but now the schools have jconn@herald-review.com|(217) 421-7971 figured it out on their own.”

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HOW WILL A PATIENT NAVIGATOR HELP ME? DMH provides trained nurses who serve as navigators and act as patient advocates throughout your cancer journey.

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The patient navigator serves as a consistent point of contact from diagnosis to treatment and survivorship.

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Mahoney said. “The most important thing for me was to keep it as normal as I could for my kids, and I’m thankful I had the support system to do that, and it helps that I have two wonderful kids.”

of the arm and throughout the upper extremities as well as shoulder mobility,” she said.

“If they would start to develop any issues after surgery we will know what they are.”

Therapists will begin the therapy early if they believe lymphedema has begun. “Anything over one centimeter can be called lymphedema,” Jesse said. “We then start to monitor.”

Lymphodema isn’t always painful. Patients find it is more of a hindrance because it limits mobility.

Lymphedema can occur years after surgery. Patients can take precautions in order to limit their chances of lymphedema. Avoiding any possibilities for punctures or injuries to the affected area or limb is best, including tattoos, mosquitoes bites and excessive heat. Patients should practice good hygiene and avoid lifting heavy objects. Blood pressure tests should not be administered on the lymphedema arm.

If both arms were affected during surgery, the least-affected arm can be used.

Exercise and stretching are suggested after surgery in order to increase mobility.

According to Jesse, as soon as the patient is alert after surgery, they can begin certain exercises. “They have a few limitations, but early movement is definitely encouraged,” she said.

Exercises include lifting light weights, various shoulder rotations and self-massages.

Wrapping the arm in a special bandage is also part of the treatment. “They kind of feel like a mummy when they leave,” Dighton said. “This is their least favorite part.”

The patient is wrapped from wrist to shoulder in multiple layers. The compression helps to push the fluid back into the body. Once the fluid has gone down, therapists provide the patient with a special glove to continue the process. According to Digton, lymphedema is treatable. “But once you have it, you are going to have it for the rest of your life,” she said.

“It’s controllable if you follow the guidelines.”

‘I was just shocked’‌ Born in Frankfurt, Germany, Rosenbury, 68, came to Decatur 50 years ago with her husband, a serviceman from Decatur who had been stationed in Germany.

Rosenbury’s mother died of cancer, so she had annual mammograms. A nurse at HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital for 32 years, Rosenbury had a mammogram the day after she retired and it showed a different kind of cancer in each breast.

“I knew when they told me to come back for an ultrasound … I could just tell from the doctor’s demeanor that it was no good — she patted my hand and said, ‘Good luck, honey,’” Rosenbury said. “I was just shocked.”

Even with yearly mammograms, the cancer in Rosenbury’s breasts had grown too large to be removed by lumpectomy. The result was a double mastectomy followed by rounds of chemotherapy and radiation.

Rosenbury’s surgery was Jan. 6. Having been a recent St. Mary’s retiree, the hospital staff showed support for her by wearing pink ribbons the day of the surgery.

After she healed, Rosenbury was given five chemotherapy treatments, then followed with 33 radiation treatments.

Rosenbury is nearly finished with radiation and — of particular importance to Rosenbury — her hair is growing back. After the initial impact of not having breasts anymore, Rosenbury’s bigger lament was her hair.

“Actually, I mourned the loss of my hair more than I mourned the loss of my breasts,” Rosenbury said. “I always prided myself in my appearance and my curly red hair. It’s just devastating. They warn you of it, but you have no concept of what it’s like to be in the shower and to grab your head and chunks of hair falling out, or wake up in the morning and there are clumps

JIM BOWLING, HERALD & REVIEW‌

Radiation therapist Mendi Kondritz makes slight position changes for breast cancer patient Barbara Rosenbury after she received a CT scan just before her radiation treatment at HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital Cancer Care Center. of hair on your pillow.

“I finally just had my husband’s barber shear it all off. I had wigs, hats and scarves to cover it, but now I’m getting comfortable enough to go au naturale again now that my hair’s coming back.

I’m feeling more comfortable with everything now.”

‘I’ve been fortunate’‌

The radiation was a different story. After working her job at Decatur Public Schools — she’s the English/Language Arts Curriculum Coordinator for the Professional Development Institute — through chemotherapy, she had to miss work following her surgery and through radiation.

“Radiation is your job at that point,” Mahoney said.

But Mahoney is now done with radiation and back to work.

“I was really looking forward to it all being over and things getting back to normal,” Mahoney said. “I have a wonderful support system at work, but it was important to me that they treat me the same way. Cancer was not something that I wanted to define me. I didn’t want to be treated differently, and they did a good job of supporting me when I needed it, and leaving me alone when I didn’t.”

Mahoney said she stayed open and honest with her children — a 16-year-old son and 13-yearold daughter — and felt like that made the process easier.

“One of my first decisions was to be make sure they knew everything that was going on,” Mahoney said. “That meant that, unfortunately, they had to go through it with me. But, in the end, I think it helped.

“And even when I was going through it, I made sure they knew I was there for them. If they had something going on, even after seven hours of chemo, I went, because I needed them to know that no matter how I felt, my priority was them.”

Like Rosenbury, Mahoney had annual mammograms, and also gave herself self-exams. But she had no family history of breast cancer and was surprised when a tumor the size of a golf ball was found deep inside her right breast.

“It was concerning because it had grown rapidly,” Mahoney said. “It was aggressive.”

Mahoney said her first reaction was to tell her doctors, “just cut them off,” but her doctors decided to treat her with chemotherapy first to see if the tumor would shrink. Fortunately for Mahoney, the mass was diminished significantly.

“It went from the size of a golf ball to a grain of rice,” Mahoney said. “The doctors were astonished.”

Mahoney’s lumpectomy was in March. She said she was pleased with the results of the surgery.

“It was a small incision on the right side — it’s a fine line that you can hardly see,” Mahoney said. “Removing the lump made my right one a little smaller, but it’s hardly noticeable. I’ve been fortunate — cosmetically, I jconn@herald-review.com|(217) 421-7971 haven’t had to endure a lot.”

Raising awareness

DONNETTE BECKETT, HERALD & REVIEW‌

HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital Occupational Therapist Assistant Beth Dighton applies a lymphedema wrap to a patient’s arm.

As with all aspects of breast cancer, each patient will have her own brand of therapy sessions. “There’s just a little difference in their treatment.

You can’t compare,” Jesse said.

“There’s a different pathway once they’ve had that diagnosis.” dbeckett@herald-review. com|(217) 421-6983

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Cancer Awar

Inspiring hope

Celebrating survivors

Encouraging early detection

Working for a cure

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH OCTOBER 2016 RAISING AWARENESS

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Cancer Care Center

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