The Advocate
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theadvocate.com
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Sunday, October 7, 2018
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Survivor: Get your mammogram School secretary stays optimistic during preventative chemotherapy
BY CHERÉ COEN
Special to The Advocate Mary Guilbeau, of Scott, wasn’t thinking of cancer when her doctor found a lump in her left breast. Her mammogram 11 months before had been clear. She also didn’t worry. She had suffered with fibrosis and cysts in the past, noncancerous or benign changes in breast tissue that feel hard to the touch. None of those had turned out cancerous. Further tests, ultrasound and a MRI proved otherwise, however. In fact, the MRI showed two lumps, which meant surgery and postsurgery treatment would be more involved than what her doctor had thought on ďŹ rst diagnosis. “This was a shocker,â€? she said. “It was simple at ďŹ rst but then it got complicated.â€? Once Guilbeau had breast cancer surgery, her oncologist, Dr. Molly Thomas, recommended weeks of chemotherapy, a post-operative drug
treatment applied to patients for chemo is to have a cup of to kill cancer cells lingering chipped ice,� Guilbeau said. in the body. The treatment is Guilbeau, 69, has worked effective, but as a secretary Mary Guilbeau, who at Katharine because it kills good cells as laughs a lot and has Drexel Elemenwell as bad can a contagious smile, tary in Brouscause a host of ard for 29 wrapped her head in syears side effects, with 38 scarves and hats and years in public such as fatigue, carried on. hair loss, nauschools. Her sea and infeccancer didn’t tion. stop her from “She recommended four working. “If I had chemo on Thurschemos every three weeks as preventative,� Guilbeau day, I would go to work on explained. “At first, I didn’t Friday,� she said. want chemo because if you’re Her hair fell out the second not sick and then you go get round of chemo and she lost sick with chemo.� her nails. In between chemo It was an all-day event for treatments she experienced Guilbeau’s chemo treatments, problems with swallowing she said, involving intra- and a lack of taste. But Guilvenous infusions through a beau, who laughs a lot and has catheter in her chest — one a contagious smile, wrapped Guilbeau calls a “port� — that her head in scarves and hats lasted about three or more and carried on. She received hours. The staff at the Cancer both from Miles Perret CanCenter of Acadiana made pa- cer Services in Lafayette, tients comfortable, she added, which offers free wigs, hats, offering televisions, snacks, turbans and scarves for candrinks and chipped ice. cer patients, but Guilbeau “They say the best thing also had a nice collection of
caps at home, something she had been collecting for years. One unexpected health condition was migraine headaches. Guilbeau hadn’t experienced those in years but they returned when her doctor took her off hormone pills. “Anything that has to do with hormones, I can’t take,� she said, adding that years of hormone therapy starting with menopause may have been the reason for her breast cancer. The past year has been difficult for Guilbeau because she lives alone; her husband passed away eight years ago, following her parents’ deaths. But she remains optimistic and visits the Lafayette Carmelites every month to pray for family, cancer patients and those who have passed. As for that yearly mammogram, Guilbeau insists it’s necessary, even if cancer will pop up before the year is over. “Everybody’s different,� she said. “I wouldn’t discourage anybody. Do your mammogram.�
PHOTO BY CHERÉ COEN
Mary Guilbeau, of Scott, didn’t expect her physician to find a lump 11 months after getting a clear mammogram. Her cap collection has been handy while she’s going through preventative chemotherapy.
Tips on how to juggle work, breast cancer treatment Simple tricks help minimize the impact of memory loss, difficulty concentrating Metro Media Many women diagnosed with breast cancer have to juggle both cancer treatment and their careers. Data from the National Cancer Institute indicates that breast cancer rates in women begin to increase after age 40, meaning many women diagnosed with breast cancer have to juggle both their disease and their careers. While age is a risk factor for breast cancer, the disease also can strike women
in their 20s. Breast cancer treatments can produce some cognitive side effects that affect thinking and memory. Memory loss and difďŹ culty concentrating are two such side effects that can make it difďŹ cult for working women to do their jobs while being treated for breast cancer. Professional women diagnosed with breast cancer may be able to take advantage of short- and long-term disability programs that provide a
percentage of their incomes if they are diagnosed with an illness that prevents them from doing their jobs. In addition, Breastcancer. org notes that, in the U.S., the Family and Medical Leave Act allows employees to maintain their benefits and keep their jobs while taking up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave to heal from serious health conditions. Despite those options, many women may want to continue working while receiving treatment for breast cancer. Such women can heed the following tips, courtesy of Breastcancer.org, to overcome any cognitive effects
of treatment so they can con- might not be so reliable while tinue to perform their jobs women are being treated capably. for breast cancer. Make use of the calendar function on Start taking notes your smartphone or tablet to Start taking notes during note deadlines, even setting meetings, important work-re- alerts so you receive routine lated conversations and even reminders when important doctor’s appointments to coun- dates are coming up. ter any issues with memory. Make and routinely update a Keep such notes on a tablet or smartphone so they can be to-do list quickly and easily accessed Some professional women throughout the day. diagnosed with breast cancer may be juggling work, Write down deadlines and treatment and their famiwork schedules lies. Keeping a to-do list and Accomplished professionals checking items off as they’re may keep lists of deadlines completed can help women and work schedules in their effectively manage such jugheads, but that internal list gling acts and save time.
Set realistic goals Breast cancer treatment can produce a host of side effects, including fatigue. So women who plan to continue working during treatment should be sure to set realistic goals that take into account the effects that treatment may have on their energy levels. If need be, delegate more tasks and ask for more help. Many women continue working while being treated for breast cancer. A few simple adjustments can help such women overcome many treatment-related obstacles.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month
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Based in Lafayette, Louisiana, Surgical Specialists of Lafayette leverage years of experience and training to address a broad range of disorders in general surgery and surgical oncology. Our physicians treat patients with routine and complex medical conditions including breast cancer, often using minimally invasive robotic surgery. Surgical Specialists of Lafayette is committed to providing the highest level of service right here in Acadiana with the latest techniques and technology. Together, Dr. Henry J. Kaufman, IV, Dr Jason A. Breaux, and Dr. Jacob E. Landry meet the need for expertly trained and qualified surgeons in Acadiana and provide quality and comprehensive cancer surgery as well as general surgery in a compassionate and professional environment. It is important to our physicians that each patient is treated as an individual in the warm and caring environment you would expect in Acadiana.
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Henry Kaufman IV, M.D.
Jason Breaux, M.D.
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SURGICAL SPECIALIST OF LAFAYETTE 457 Heymann Blvd., Lafayette, LA 70503 southernsurgicallafayette.com | (337) 237-5774