The Voice of Southwest Louisiana October 2017 Issue

AMy personal mission was to
understand how other breast cancer
survivors felt about the treatment they
received from our local area. My method
of action was a simple survey. In no
way do I call this tidbit of information
scientific because the participants’
responses were to help me alleviate
my own apprehension about the care I
received. As I mentioned in the article,
“I was released from treatment as
if I was being expelled from school
with no note from my teacher.”
QWhat did you hope to learn from the
survey?
AI had hoped the answers of other
breast cancer survivors would, more
or less, soothe my soul, and in spite of my
own feelings of apprehension, answer my
question, “Did I make the best decisions
possible concerning my care?
Lesson Learned:
Be very careful about asking others
personal health questions.
The response to the survey was not as
large as I had hoped for. Though I was a
little disappointed, the over-all attitude
was positive.
QWhat types of questions were
asked?
AThe types of questions asked were:
'Where did you receive treatment,
and why that facility? Were you happy
with the information and treatment
given? Would you revisit the same facility
and doctors, if needed, for a second
time?'
QHow did you calculate the results?
AWith the help of a very special
young woman, ( Breast Cancer
Patient Navigator), answers and
responses were compiled into a readable
form.
QWhat were the most interesting
points found in your survey?
A
All
responding participants were
women.
• 10 out of 16 women were between the
ages of 51 and 70 years-old.
• Most women discovered their cancer
through a mammogram.
• More than half received local
treatment.
• Only half said they were happy with
information received.
• 11 out of 16 said they would return to
or recommend their doctors.
• 9 out of 16 said they would return to
the same facility/hospital.
The over-all response to my simple
survey seems to indicate that these
breast cancer survivors were pleased
with the actions and advice of our local
doctors and hospitals.
There is no further reason for me to
believe that you ‘cannot’ or ‘will not’
receive the same level of professional
care for breast cancer as you would in a
larger metropolitan area.
QWhat are your conclusions about
breast cancer treatment and
awareness in Louisiana?
A
Inevitably,
I must conclude that
my feelings of apprehension
are personal. At this point, I ask every
reader and every person who face the
challenges of a life-threatening illness to
understand how important it is to have a
positive attitude and confidence in those
who provide you treatment and care.
There is an abundance of information
available to help you choose the right
doctor, surgeon, or hospital.
September 2017, Vol. 58, No. 7, AARP's
Bulletin had an excellent article on the
subject. Another reliable source would
be the State Board of Medical Examiners
website for our state.
While most of the respondents to the
survey chose their doctor because they
were referred by a doctor they trusted,
this does not mean you lack trust if you
seek background information on doctors
and facilities.
Do not overlook your own level of
comfort as a very important resource.
Impressions of the person being
interviewed to administer life-saving
treatment and advice to you should
not be overlooked. Ask questions and
never accept, 'I don't know' without an
explanation.
Though there have been improvements,
progress and many blessings in
breast cancer treatment, there remain
many gaps in treatment for women
of Louisiana. As of the end of August
of this year, I find myself in a unique
position to justify that statement.
After approximately sixteen months
of complaints and eight doctors, I was
finally diagnosed with Stage IV Metastatic
Breast Cancer. Without recrimination this
brings me back to the original purpose of
the survey and the shocking statement
made by Dr. Dean: more women die of
breast cancer in the state of Louisiana
than any other state in the country.
Pictured L-R: Cynthia Lemelle and Dr. Windy Dean-
Colomb, Christus Oncology.
What can we do to assure better
outcomes for our mothers, sisters, and
daughters? Together we find answers
when we ‘insist’ and ‘persist.’ My prayer
is not only to survive breast cancer, but
to benefit someone else through my own
experiences. I pray you are the one.
Volume 5 • Number 3 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM October 2017 27