SECTION I
PROFILE
CHAPTER 5 HEALTH
CONSUMER BEHAVIOR
MIRIAM TREJO'S STORY OF SURVIVORSHIP I was 29 years old when I was diagnosed with breast cancer in March 2014. My husband and I were still newlyweds, filled with plans for our long life together.
right armpit. After recovering from the surgery, I received six chemotherapy treatments and then seven weeks of radiation. My experience at CTCA® was consistently empowering. I was part of the decision-making process at every step of the way. My Care Team was exactly that—a team of caring people—and I made lifelong friends with patients and employees. My naturopathic oncology provider and my clinical oncology dietitian helped me manage and prevent side effects, taught me how to shop for and cook healthier foods and recommended supplements to take during and after treatment to help my recovery. I took full advantage of all the integrative services offered at the hospital, including acupuncture, chiropractic care, lymphatic drainage massage, pastoral support, physical therapy and occupational therapy. I also joined the Cancer Fighters Care Network so that I could lend support to others coping with a cancer diagnosis. In short, CTCA helped me transition from feeling like a victim to becoming a fighter, a survivor and a health care advocate.
I suspected something wasn't quite right in 2012 when I felt a lump on my right breast. Ultrasound results came back normal. A year later, I had a second ultrasound, which also came back normal. The third time I saw my gynecologist, I had sharp, shooting pains in my chest. Eventually, biopsy results revealed that I had HER2-positive breast cancer as well as Paget's disease of the breast. I was entirely unprepared for the shock of the diagnosis. My heart raced and the tears streamed down my face. My husband held me close to him as tears streamed down his face, too. Later that day, we told our families.
NO LONGER A VICTIM
My father-in-law suggested I call Cancer Treatment Centers of America® (CTCA). As we toured the facility, I saw people smiling and hugging one another. My eyes filled with tears again, but this time, they were tears of hope and peace. I knew that I had come to the right place.
A NEW LIFE—AND A PLEA
Going through cancer and its treatment has changed me forever. Never again will I be a victim of circumstance. Instead, I will choose to have hope, have faith and seek support. This disease gave me a better perspective on what matters (and what doesn't) and a renewed appreciation for the people in my life.
Because the cancer had spread throughout my right breast, I decided to have a double mastectomy. During the procedure, the surgeon found cancer in my sentinel lymph nodes and he performed a second surgery to remove lymph nodes from my
And now my plea…Cancer doesn't discriminate. It can affect anyone at any age, of any ethnicity, of any education level and economic status. We all need to be proactive about our health. We need to take control, eliminate unhealthy habits from our lives and listen to our bodies. We need to live each day like it's our last and not wait for a near-tragedy to wake us up. Value today and make each day count. Use your talents and gifts to help others, train your mind to focus on what is important and love each other with all your heart. That is certainly what I am trying to do.
"Cancer doesn't discriminate. It can affect anyone at any age, of any ethnicity, of any education level and economic status. We all need to be proactive about our health. We need to take control, eliminate unhealthy habits from our lives and listen to our bodies." DATO S
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T H E S T AT E O F A R I Z O N A’ S H I S P A N I C M A R K E T