A survivor's journey through breast cancer dia

cancer diagnosis and treatment
Finding strength from others
Jonna began feeling the challenges
a cancer diagnosis can bring. The
independent, single mom needed to
learn to ask others for help.
Monday, Oct. 13, 2008
“Sitting home and healing is not an easy
task for someone who is used to doing a
million things at once. I may have been
trying to do too much on my own.”
While she had the support of friends
and family, she knew there were some
things they couldn’t understand. Jonna
found strength in Gundersen Lutheran’s
breast cancer support group.
Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2008
“I met an entire room of amazing women
in various stages of breast cancer. They all
seem to believe in the power of humor and
laughter, and I’m really glad I went.”
The struggles of chemotherapy
Jonna began chemotherapy, and her four
months of treatment were like that of
many other patients: filled with ups and
downs.
Thursday, Oct. 30, 2008
“The first day of chemo went well. I still
feel pretty good, but tomorrow may be a
different story.”
Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008
“I haven’t felt as good as I had hoped. The
first and second day after chemo went fine,
but the third day I hit bottom and just
wanted to sleep as much as possible.”
Jonna realized she needed to lean on
those close to her to help her make it
through the emotional challenges of
chemo.
Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2009
“I know people think I am strong, and can
handle anything, but even the strong need
a shoulder once in awhile. The mental
part of cancer/chemo can be the worst
part.”
In February, she moved on to a new
stage in her journey.
Thursday, Feb. 5, 2009
“Last treatment today! The entire staff
stopped by with bubbles they were blowing
throughout my room while hollering out
congrats. In a bittersweet way, I will miss
all of them!”
A new chapter begins
A month after her final chemotherapy
treatment, Jonna began radiation
therapy at Gundersen Lutheran with 33
treatments over about seven weeks. Near
the end of radiation, she began feeling
emotions she didn’t expect.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
“The last couple of weeks have been some
of the toughest so far. Over the last few
months, I’ve dealt with the physical,
the mental, even the spiritual. But, the
last couple of weeks have been purely
emotional.”
But, she was in good spirits by her last
treatment on April 17, 2009.
“It’s the end of this chapter, but the
opening of a new one with new beginnings
and new positive opportunities. The
treatments are over, but my story
continues.”
Read more of Jonna’s story, at
gundluth.org/breastcare, “Survivor
stories.”.
Women like Jonna Peterson can
feel confident in the care they
receive at the Gundersen Lutheran
Norma J. Vinger Center for Breast
Care. The Center has emerged
as a model in the nation, most
recently becoming the first breast
center in the country to be named
a Certified Quality Breast Center
of Excellence by the National
Consortium of Breast Centers.
What does that mean for women
in the Tri-state Region? It means
they can be certain they’re
receiving the highest quality care
from a team dedicated to the early
detection, efficient diagnosis and
compassionate, individualized
treatment of breast cancer.
Visit us online: gundluth.org 5