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Breast Cancer Survivor Story for October Breast Cancer Awareness Month
A Shoulder to Lean On
“Hearing the word Cancer is a scary experience, but Shellie made
me feel like I was never alone,” stated Teddi Ferda, a Chesterton
resident, as she spoke to a room full of women at Methodist
Hospitals’ Healthy Night Out with the Girls Event. There were tears
throughout the room as Teddi recalled her experience of being told
by her physician that she had an infiltrating ductile carcinoma in
the right breast. “Hearing this diagnosis would never be good;
however, having Shellie Rowe here to discuss the issue with was a
blessing. She is knowledgeable, personable and compassionate. I
realize that she does this everyday and sees many patients, however,
she made me feel like no one else existed but me.”
Shellie Rowe is the Methodist Hospitals Breast Health
Coordinator. “Patient’s minds are either racing or have gone numb,”
Rowe said, “I’m here to help them navigate the system and stay on
track.” Having had a biopsy herself 20 years ago, Rowe knows what
patients face. The role of a Breast Health Coordinator is to be a
support and resource for the patient, her family and help them
understand and cope with the life changes and stress that accompany
a breast disease diagnosis. “I discuss what the procedure entails. I
arm them with information and questions to ask the doctor. And, if
needed I’ll help them find a physician. I’ll do anything I can to
make it easier on them.”
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast cancer is the
most common cancer among women in the United States and, after lung
cancer, is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. The
good news is breast cancer is highly treatable; over 90 percent of
breast cancer patients survive when cancer is detected in the early
stages and treatment is begun promptly. The American Cancer Society
recommends that women start receiving yearly mammograms at the age
of 40. Teddi is hoping her story will inspire other women to be
proactive in their health and schedule a mammogram.
Since her diagnosis, Teddi has had a breast lumpectomy, lymph
nodes removed and focused radiation treatment. She is pleased to
report that her cancer is now in remission and did not spread to her
lymph nodes. Teddi works in Chicago and several people have asked
her why she did not go to Northwestern, University of Chicago or
Rush, her reply is simple, “What more could they have done for me
than what was done at Methodist?”
Attached are letters written by Teddi to Ian McFadden, CEO,
Methodist Hospitals and Tony Jones, VP of Operations describing her
experience at Methodist Hospitals. Click Here for Letters
To interview Teddi or Shellie please contact me at the contact
information provided below.
Amber Raza
Marketing and Corporate Communications
P: 219.886.4474
F: 219.886.4592
E:
araza@methodisthospitals.org
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