Breast Cancer: Theresa's Patient Story

What happened, in summary

Theresa Reynolds was 85 when she learned she had breast cancer and needed a mastectomy. Her first instinct was to avoid treatment. Her mother had also had breast cancer, and Theresa remembered what that experience looked like. She worried about putting herself and her family through surgery and cancer care at her age. Her breast surgical oncologist, Dr. Craig Wengler, listened to those fears and helped her feel safe enough to move forward. Theresa’s eldest daughter, Jean, became her health surrogate during treatment. As a physical therapist in Orlando, Jean initially considered bringing her mother to Florida for care, but after meeting the team at Martin North Robert and Carol Weissman Cancer Center, she felt confident Theresa could stay with that team. Theresa had a mastectomy and radiation treatment, supported by a coordinated group that included breast surgical oncology, radiation oncology, medical oncology, radiology, gastroenterology, occupational therapy and a breast health navigator. Theresa’s cancer stage, subtype, and long-term recurrence status were not shared. As of October 2021, the strongest part of her story was the way communication and compassionate support helped her accept treatment she had first wanted to avoid.