Health Care Heroes Lead Patient on Path to Fast Recovery

Fremont resident Barbara Gorsuch felt a lump in her breast in January, but thought it couldn’t possibly be breast cancer again since she had already gone through that fight in 1995. Out of precaution, Barbara visited her doctor who ordered a mammogram and ultrasound. Sure enough, in late February, a tumor was found and a biopsy confirmed it was malignant. When Barbara learned mastectomy was her only option, she was frightened and also worried she’d have to cancel an upcoming European trip.

Thanks to her dedicated, professional and caring team of Washington Health physicians, nurses, medical technicians, and hospital support staff, Barbara sailed through her surgery and healed in time to enjoy her cruise.

“Getting breast cancer again really scared me because I lost my dad, brother, sister, grandpa, aunt, and two cousins to cancer,” Barbara explained. “But I was also very confident in my doctor Bala Annadurai, MD; hematologist-oncologist Matthew Tenold, MD; and surgeon William Dugoni, MD, who provided excellent care and support while helping me make the right decisions.” In fact, Barbara remembers the first thought she had when she woke up after surgery. She recalls, “Dr. Dugoni told me he would take care of me, I was going to be fine, I would go on my cruise, and life would be good again. Immediately after surgery, I just knew he was right and I felt confident that I was going to be OK.”

It Takes a Village

Barbara’s doctors were not the only health care professionals who made an impact on her during this recent experience with breast cancer. “At every turn, the people of Washington Health were there for me. Not only are they good at their jobs, but they are so sweet, kind, and supportive,” she said.

Here are a few of the health care workers who worked with Barbara, and her insights on how they supported her along her cancer journey:

• Christine Mikkelsen is a breast health nurse navigator who guided Barbara through the pre- and post-surgical process and worked closely with her doctors and others at Washington Health to make sure all appointments were scheduled as soon as possible. “Before the surgery, Christine answered all my questions and coordinated everything. Post surgery, she and others called to check on me. With her help, everything was so organized and efficient. She was always there for me.”
• Nuclear medicine technologist Leah Austin performed a sentinel node injection on Barbara the day before her surgery. This helps the surgeon locate the sentinel lymph nodes to determine if cancer has spread beyond the tumor. “I was nervous because I’m not good with shots, but she used freezing spray so I didn’t feel a thing. Leah was so kind, which put me at ease about the procedure.”
• Daisy Chavez-Sanchez is a certified mastectomy fitter at the HERS Breast Cancer Foundation office in the Washington West building. Daisy fitted Barbara for two mastectomy camisoles and breast forms, and helped ensure the cost was covered by insurance. “Daisy was so sweet and made sure I had everything I needed to be comfortable after surgery. This included pillows for under my arm and on my seatbelt to protect the incision area. They think of everything!”
• Tsegereda Wubea, RN, works in the Infusion Center at Washington Health. While Barbara did not need chemotherapy, Dr. Tenold ordered biannual bone density treatment infusions to help prevent osteoporosis. At her first one, Barbara asked the nurse for a glass of water. Tsegereda asked Barbara if she had eaten, and Barbara said, “No,” thinking they may have some crackers. Instead, Barbara was provided a full lunch. “I offered to pay for the food, and she laughed and said no, it was part of their program. I was only there for a 15-minute infusion, but it was nice to feel so cared for.”

Barbara is a healthy, 81-year-old, Fremont resident who says she does everything her doctors tell her to stay fit and healthy. She religiously completed all her post-op exercises and took her medications. Barbara recovered well from her May 1 mastectomy and by May 31, she was cruising Germany and Scandinavia. “Going into this I thought to myself, ‘Are they really going to care about saving someone my age, or will they think it’s a waste of their time?’” Now Barbara says those worries could not be further from the truth. “With all the positive attention and supportive care they provide, the people at Washington Hospital made me feel like I could fight anything. I am truly grateful to them all!”

For more information on the UCSF – Washington Cancer Center, visit www.washingtonhealth.com/cancer or scan the QR code below. To schedule a mammogram, obtain a physician referral and call 510.818.7410.