Kim Haley – Life’s Victories
I was diagnosed with breast cancer in September 2009 by Dr. Nicholas Tranakas at Broward Health Medical Center. My treatment included lumpectomy and radiation followed by aromatase inhibitor medication for seven years.
My dearest friend volunteered to organize where to receive treatment and with whom. I would never have been able to get through the first stage of being diagnosed and the journey without the support.
My children rallied with love and kindness, and most-needed support after I made my decision to have surgery. I had a young teenager and this was so difficult for him, rocking his world as well. He would help out when I was tired. I feel blessed to have a wonderful family and many friends.
I am a very spiritual person. If I started to feel alone, I could always reach out for a lifeline. I was scared at times but I kept telling myself that I was going to be OK. Being diagnosed with breast cancer is like being in a sorority. An instant bond of sisterhood is made.
All at Broward Health were, and still are, amazing with my care. I feel like I have a team. Dr. Tanakas said something to me that I will never forget. He said, “I will be watching over you.”
Dr. Elizabeth Tan-Chui, my oncologist at Florida Cancer Care, is my rock. She monitors my blood levels and is meticulous. Dr. Tan-Chui takes so much time to talk to me, explaining how everything is going in a way that a lay person can understand.
I call nurse Pia Delvaille at the Lillian S. Wells Women’s Center at Broward Medical Center “my angel.”
Dr. Amy Sonnenblick is like a cat, overseeing the GYN side, looking for any signs that are not normal.
I also want to express my appreciation to Dr. Dana Sands and Dr. Steven Wexner at Cleveland Clinic Florida for being proactive in testing, due to losing my mother to colon cancer.
Pick your team and follow their directions. Let them do the worrying and get the wrinkles. Let others help you. We all need help and this is not the time to tough it out. Distract yourself. Stay busy with other things. Feel grateful every day. Cancer cannot take your spirit.
I have been blessed with a passion to help others. It started with waking up from surgery so uncomfortable with the garment I was put in. So others would not have to go through what I experienced, I developed and patented the Medebra, a comfortable, post-surgical bra/mastectomy kit. The cost is reimbursed by insurance. www.Medebra.com Is that not divine intervention!