“We got this!”
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These three words have never meant more to me than they did in early June, when I was shocked to learn that I had breast cancer. Even as a 55-year-old woman, I never expected to have breast cancer with no family history or identifiable risk factors. However, a routine annual mammogram and followup studies revealed not only one, but two breast cancer tumors. Needless to say, this was quite unsettling.
However, prior to even having the biopsy, I met with Cathy Spagnoli, one of the nurse navigators at Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital’s Breast Care Center. An extremely competent and knowledgeable clinician, Cathy’s clinical excellence is only surpassed by her compassion. The last thing she said to me that morning and has repeated many times since, is “we got this!” The reassurance that simple phrase has given me can only be appreciated by someone facing a similar threat.
Northwestern has made a wise investment in supporting the nurse navigator program, which I’ve found to be an incredible value in offering exceptional care. I am a nurse practitioner and appreciate this service from many perspectives for its benefit to the patients who use it.
I am blessed to have an excellent team of professionals by my side including my surgeon, Dr. Stephen Ganshirt, and my radiation oncologist, Dr. Marc Posner. I am forever grateful to this institution and most especially to my nurse navigator as I travel this journey in days ahead with “we got this” always echoing in my mind.
Lynn Steckel
Lake Forest