Sandra's Story
Sandra shares her story to raise awareness about the importance of early breast cancer detection and diagnosis.
Hello my name is Sandra Nieves. I am 56 years old. On December 21, I went in for my annual routine mammogram. Without any other thought about it, until I received a phone call on December 26 to return for additional images. At that point I was still not too worried as there is no family history of breast cancer and I’ve always had normal mammograms. I’ve never missed a screening since my mid-30s.
On the day of the imaging I had to return to the fourth floor of the Women’s Health Center at Swedish Hospital where I was told that the additional images were going to determine if everything was normal or if I would need additional diagnostics such as a biopsy. When the image was complete a staff member informed me a biopsy was needed. I was still calm and did not panic. I then met with Linda Rowan who is a breast navigator at the Women’s Health Center at Swedish Hospital.
Linda helped me get my biopsy appointment scheduled. She was so comforting and informative and extremely thorough with a step-by-step process. My biopsy was scheduled for January 2020. Shortly after my biopsy I received a phone call from my primary care physicians office informing that Dr. Kate Maxouris wanted to see me. At that point I knew something was not right I felt that I was going to get bad news.
I have been a patient of Dr. Maxouris for over 30 years so I decided to bring her flowers as I knew she was going to be the one to tell me that I have breast cancer. We met each other with open arms we both cried for a minute then we got right down to business. Dr. Maxouris had every single required appointment and test already scheduled so I did not have to worry about making phone calls and scheduling appointments.
Oh, did I forget to mention I have been undergoing treatment for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma since January 2018. Dr. Maxouris, prior to meeting with me consulted with my oncologist Dr. Jeffery Cilley and Dr. Cecylia Mizera who would be the surgeon to help treat my breast cancer. At the appointment with Dr. Mizera we determined the course of treatment and I was scheduled for a lumpectomy on February 4. Dr. Cecelia Mizera informed me that I had DCIS which is a breast cancer that is confined to the ducts. It was in one small area.
After my first appointment with Dr. Mizera I returned to the Women’s Health Center to meet with Linda who provided me with a binder to keep everything in one place. We went through each section so I would have a clear understanding of my doctors contact information, phone numbers, resources and appointment schedules. You name it and it was all in that binder. It was extremely helpful and I carried it everywhere.
After my successful lumpectomy procedure I needed to complete 20 sessions of radiation. My first radiation date was March 19 when Covid hit. I was alone had no family or friends to be able to come in with me for support. I am one who loves to make my family and friends feel loved and comfortable that makes me happy! So on this journey I choose to make myself HAPPY. It was all about me. I love my family very much -- my children my grandchildren and my parents -- are the world to me and I need to make sure that I’m here for them!
So I did everything possible to make myself comfortable. That meant my comfy pillow provided by the Women’s Health Center and bright colorful, comfy clothes. I like the crazy cool colored leggings from Walmart, no bra (of course) and a positive attitude! (I knew cancer picked the wrong woman). As a matter fact, on my last radiation day I chose to dress up like Wonder Woman. A good friend gave me a Wonder Woman hat, my grandkids had given me a wonder woman cape and my daughter had given me some Wonder Woman pajamas!
Although I have battled two cancers in two years I feel so fortunate to have amazing prayers and support from my family and friends and couldn’t have done it without the outstanding team of doctors and medical staff and not to mention the special person by the name of Kathy Williams from the Woman’s Health Center who scheduled a week’s worth of meals for me.
I would like to thank my daughter, Sandra Lake and my son, Amadeus Hoddenbach for their unconditional love and support. To my best friend Sheila Leffew, my sister-in-law Rhea Rodriguez and Michelle Del Cid for standing by me. My parents, what a blessing to still have my parents, Jose and Zaida Hernandez for your love and support.
I would also love to thank Dr. Jeffery Cilley and his infusion team; Dr. Mizera and staff; Dr. Schreiber and his radiation team; And last but not least the Woman’s Health Center! Thank you for your outstanding support during this chapter in my life. I could not have done it without all of you too!
This has inspired me to help and give back to others going through this journey, and I will be making pillows in the near future. If there’s one thing I can say is: please acknowledge October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month -- get your mammogram and breast screening, let October be your reminder. We are in this fight together!
Think Pink! Think Pretty! Think Positive!
Stay strong, stay safe and God bless you ALL!
Sincerely,
Sandra
To schedule a mammogram, request an appointment or call 773-878-6888.
Published October 13, 2020
