Miles For Moffitt

Cindy Self

Featured in April 2008 Newsletter

It all began on May 7, 2002.  I had discovered a lump in my right breast recently and was scheduled for a mammogram.  I had two previous cysts removed from my left breast, and was not overly concerned for my mammogram that day.  My first grandchild had been born the week before my scheduled mammogram, and I was leaving the next morning on a flight to Virginia to see her.  After the mammogram was done, they wanted to do an ultrasound.  Following the ultrasound, the radiologist walked into the room and told me I had breast cancer and asked if I had a surgeon.  I can still vividly remember the day.  I had only been living in Tampa for less than a year and did not even have a primary doctor at the time, let alone a surgeon.  I was in total shock!  I kept thinking – I have cancer, did they say cancer?  So much was going through my mind at the time.  My doctor called to confirm the results of the mammogram and assured me that it was okay to travel to see my family.

I went to work the next day and made an appointment to see a surgeon upon my return home from Virginia.  On May 15, I went to the surgeon who quickly scheduled a biopsy.  After the initial biopsy, I had a lumpectomy and a bone scan.  When I went to the surgeon following the lumpectomy for the results, all I could think about was getting into Moffitt for my care.  While I had no personal experience with Moffitt, I wanted to be seen at the best facility.  I had my first appointment with the Breast Clinic at Moffitt was in June.  I immediately felt at ease with my doctor and knew I had made the best decision for my care.  I then had a CT scan, followed by a second lumpectomy for further lymph node removal.  My surgeon at Moffitt was very warm and explained everything very thoroughly.

To make sure the cancer had not spread, I had a breast MRI on my left breast and met with a plastic surgeon at Moffitt to discuss reconstruction surgery that would be performed at a later date.  The results of the second lumpectomy showed that the margins were still close so my doctor now recommended I have a mastectomy.  Since it was now two months since my initial cancer diagnosis, my oncologist recommended we schedule chemotherapy first and then the mastectomy.  I wanted to do whatever my doctors recommended and had complete trust in their decisions for my care.

My first chemotherapy treatment was on July 31.  It was a little scary waiting in the waiting room looking around at everyone with their hair gone – I knew in a short time I would be one of them.  I started physical therapy after my second lumpectomy due to problems with my arm motion from my surgery.  The physical therapist was great and I regained total mobility of my arm.  Between my second and third chemo I had a fever which required hospitalization.  I was scheduled for my mastectomy at Moffitt on December 13th (my birthday).  Although the doctor offered to change the date of my surgery due to my birthday, I wanted the surgery to be done as quickly as possible so I could have time to heal before my family came to visit for Christmas.  I also feel that this is one birthday I will never forget.

After Christmas I had my first consultation with the doctor in Radiology.  He was a very caring person and explained everything to me in such detail and in a way that was easy for me to understand.  Simulation was scheduled and the first of 25 daily treatments started on January 21, 2003.  I sailed through radiation with only minor burning.

I met with the plastic surgeon at Moffitt two months after radiation was completed to schedule my three surgeries for breast reconstruction.  I had to wait a minimum of 6 months after radiation to give my skin a chance to heal.  I completed all three reconstruction surgeries in November and was very happy with the results.

It has now been 5 years since my diagnosis in May 2002.  It is hard to believe it has been that long and I continue to have great check-ups and am feeling great!  I was so pleased with my care at Moffitt that my goal was to become a Moffitt employee.  I started working at Moffitt as a Management Assistant on July 1, 2004 and really enjoy working here and being a part of the Moffitt family.

Dawn Greenwood

Featured in April 2008 Newsletter

Anxious and somewhat fretful, I listened as the doctor shared the results of my biopsy – “You have breast cancer”.  I was stunned!  The Dr. wanted me to have a mastectomy and remove all my lymph nodes.  I was asked for a decision then and there.  I didn’t have time to fully comprehend what I was being told.  Additionally, the directness of the message hit like a punch to the stomach.  My head was still hearing breast cancer, breast cancer.   I gave no answer and walked out of the office.  That was the best move I ever made.  My daughter, who worked at USF at the time, was the first I called.  She did not hesitate a second — she said “Mom go to Moffitt.”  My husband, retired form GTE, immediately called the GTE Benefits Center.  They too strongly suggested getting a second opinion from Moffitt.

On July 21, 1999 I had a left breast mastectomy with a sentinel node biopsy performed by Dr. Charles Cox of the Comprehensive Breast Program at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center.  At that time Moffitt was the only hospital that was doing sentinel node mapping and because of that I only lost two lymph nodes.  Very different from what was first recommended to me.

From the first day I was at Moffitt I have been treated with the best of care and compassion from everyone dealing with my treatment.  When having chemotherapy and follow-up appointments everyone treats ME, not just my cancer.  Moffitt Cancer Center gave me so much, that after my chemotherapy was done, I volunteered in the Breast Program doing the “We Care” Patient Bears (this is a program where each patient gets a hand decorated teddy bear on the day of their breast surgery.)  I have been a Volunteer for six years now.  For the last two years I have been working two days a week in the Outreach & FACTors Program of the Don and Erika Wallace Comprehensive Breast Program at Moffitt. 
Moffitt is still giving to ME!