Tag Archives: breast cancer

Can’t Win For Losing

Posted on November 7, 2011 by Eric Van De Graaff, M.D.

This morning while eating breakfast I came across a story in the newspaper announcing that an occasional glass of wine can increase a woman’s chance of developing breast cancer by 15%. I immediately rushed across the room to where my wife was standing and swatted the Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2007 out of her hand before she had a chance to take her first deadly sip. Her mouth dropped open and her eyes gleamed with what I’m sure was gratitude for my quick thinking and decisive action. The next moment, … Continue reading →

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My Journey from Breast Cancer

Posted on October 21, 2010 by Alegent Creighton Health

I do not have a family history of any type of cancer.  The furthest thing from my mind was that one day I would join the “pink ribbon club” but all of that changed on Thursday, January 29, 2009 when I discovered a lump in my left breast.  I followed up with my doctor the next week and we decided to watch it for a month.  My second appointment was on March 4 and since the tumor had not changed, my doctor sent me for another mammogram, ultrasound and needle … Continue reading →

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My Nurse Navigator

Posted on October 20, 2010 by Alegent Creighton Health

Eighteen months ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer. My surgeon, Dr. Imbrock, contacted the cancer nurse navigators, and that’s how I met Amy Graber.  Amy has been such a blessing and really lived up to her title: navigator. She helped us make appointments for tests, answered many, many questions, held my hand during the scariest times, and became a very good friend to my husband and me. She truly helped us get through some really tough months. We still keep in contact and I know I can call her … Continue reading →

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Genetic Testing — Holding the Key to Survival

Posted on October 18, 2010 by Alegent Creighton Health

I can’t remember much about being nine years old, but I will never forget Thanksgiving of 2000. My mom, Kamie Kay Preston, was diagnosed with breast cancer. From that moment forward, my life would never be the same.My mom was a very active and hands-on type of parent; she coached almost every competitive team I was on up until she got sick. After her diagnosis, in the midst of chemo treatments, she would somehow find the strength to attend my athletic events, even if that meant taking a trip to … Continue reading →

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The Big Squeeze

Posted on October 14, 2010 by Alegent Creighton Health

Anytime I register a patient who questions whether she needs to have a mammogram every year, I share my mom’s story.  After having a mammogram at age 70, her family doctor told her the “funny area” was probably just fibrocystic tissue, but she could get a second opinion if she wanted.  He did not order further tests for her, even though she had never previously been told in 70 years that she had fibrocystic breast tissue.  Two years later when her tumor was discovered, it was in the exact same … Continue reading →

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