How One Patient Found Expert Care — and Renewed Hope — at Rocky Mountain Breast Specialists

Chelle’s battle with breast cancer began in 2004 when she needed a double mastectomy. Before surgery could take place, however, her medical team insisted on shrinking the tumors with chemotherapy to improve the likelihood of success. Under the supervision of Dr. Nick DiBella, then-medical director at Rocky Mountain Breast Specialists (RMBS), Chelle underwent months of chemo that often landed her in the hospital. Despite the grueling treatment, she praises Dr. DiBella for going above and beyond, even visiting her bedside whenever she was admitted.

Right before Christmas that year, surgeons removed one of Chelle’s breasts through a complex mastectomy and cut through the chest wall on the other. Multiple lymph nodes tested positive for cancer on both sides. Despite four drains and an intensive procedure, she was discharged just 24 hours later. Chelle humorously recalls, “I call it a drive-through,” though she admits the slow drain removal was quite painful.

For a year following surgery, Chelle relied on RMBS for radiation therapy and later received reconstructive surgery, which unfortunately led to three surgical hernias. Nonetheless, by 2006, PET scans revealed no trace of the cancer. Then in 2017, a new mass was discovered in her remaining axillary lymph nodes. This time, Chelle chose a targeted therapy and hormonal treatment over more radiation or chemotherapy. She remained stable until 2021, when scans revealed lymphoma affecting her thyroid. Two cycles of R-CHOP chemo placed her into remission yet again, though her doctors caution that vigilance remains critical.

At 65, Chelle is now retired and returns to RMBS every six weeks for port flushes and regular imaging. She also copes with nighttime oxygen use and thrice-weekly dialysis, but is grateful her cancer treatments have ended. Having endured multiple breast cancer surgeries and additional skin cancer removals, Chelle remains optimistic. She credits Rocky Mountain Breast Specialists for compassionate care and cherishes time spent watching her three grandchildren grow.