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as told by Nadine Fuchs, patient liaison, Behavioral Health - Onalaska
After two years of watching a “shadow” found during a routine mammogram, I was cleared by Dr. Richard Ellis at the Gundersen Lutheran Norma J. Vinger Center for Breast Care to go back to yearly mammograms. I was relieved.
 Two months later, I found a small lump during a self-exam. This lump was not in the area we had been watching. Dr. Ellis had me come in right away for a mammogram and ultrasound, but he was not overly concerned.
I had a follow-up visit a few months later. Although there was no change in size, Dr. Ellis performed a biopsy to be on the safe side. I was relieved when the lab called to say they did not find cancer. But there was something suspicious about one of the samples, so they recommended having the lump removed as a precaution.
This was my first surgery. It was the first time in 15 years I had to use a sick day from work. I was never sick and didn’t dream that cancer could be part of my life.
The Outpatient Surgery staff was wonderful. With my husband at my side, I came through surgery with no problems. My surgeon, Dr. Jeanne Johnson, said the tumor was small, the borders looked good, and she would call me with the lab results. I gave her my work extension and told her it was fine to call me there—with full confidence that the results would be negative.
A few days later, Dr. Johnson did call, suggesting I come to her office to talk. That gave me my answer. I told her to just tell me, and she did. Cancer.
Once I got someone to cover for me, I went to a private room for a meltdown. After calling my husband, I pulled aside a couple of friends to talk. There are advantages to working in Behavioral Health where I have good friends—some who are counselors.
Surgery two weeks later confirmed the lymph nodes were clean and we had caught the cancer very early. Seven weeks of radiation followed. I was determined not to let it ruin my summer and it didn’t. My coworkers were so supportive, accommodating my daily radiation treatments. The Cancer Center staff was also amazing, caring and just plain wonderful.
I never missed a day of work for treatments, and had a fun summer. Keeping a routine helped me fight the side affects and feel “normal.”
I am one year cancer-free. I feel blessed and lucky to be an employee of Gundersen Lutheran and part of the care people get here.
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