BUILDING - Yale-New Haven Hospital

13
NANCY AHERN
A life-saving mammogram
I credit Yale-New Haven with saving my life. The hospital’s mobile
mammography van was parked across from the New Haven Register
where I worked and I went there for a mammogram. The mammogram
uncovered two tumors so small even the surgeon couldn’t
feel them.
I was very lucky that the cancer was caught early and treated
skillfully by a very good oncologist, Dr. Michael Rice, whom I really
trusted. I had a modified radical mastectomy in 1988 followed by
chemotherapy for about six months. What amazed me was that
even though I came in only once every four weeks, the staff at Yale-
New Haven always called me by name. They were unbelievably
kind and very comforting.
I know the toll cancer can take on a family. My husband, my
grandmother and my mother have all had cancer. Chemotherapy
may be life-saving but let’s not forget it’s also highly toxic. Within
hours of treatment, one is very ill, unable to work. Knowing this, it’s
a travesty to expect people to go out of state for treatment. I felt
it was important to speak up during the public hearings on the
cancer center project because it’s everyone’s duty to make sure the
right decision is made.
One of the points I made during the public hearings was that
this project is a major economic boon for the entire region for the
foreseeable future. It will not only bring revenue into the city from
construction, but long-term employment and invaluable services
for many years to come.
My second point was that the Yale Cancer Center is designated
a comprehensive cancer center by the National Cancer Institute.
It is part of a very select group. We have to think of the future and
the needs of all the people in this region and beyond who will need
these services.
Nancy Ahern is a New Haven resident, former assistant managing editor of
the New Haven Register, a six-term alderwoman for Ward 25 in New Haven
and an 18-year breast cancer survivor.