Erasing Cancer
Patty Grau
Mar, 2017
Physicians: Roy Winslow, MD; Edmund Paloyan, MD; Benjamin Gielda, MD
Breast Cancer Patient Turns to New Radiation Therapy Option
Less than one centimeter – the size of a pencil eraser. This is an image that will forever stick in the memory of Stevensville resident, Patty Grau.
For the past 17 years Patty had an annual mammogram. But on the year of her 57th birthday a small lump in her right breast – only 0.6 centimeters in diameter – appeared on her imaging results. A biopsy later revealed the lump was Stage I breast cancer.
“The spot was so small it could have easily been overlooked,” said Patty. “I’m thankful that my radiologist took the time to carefully review my results and was able to discover it early.”
After receiving the diagnosis, Patty began evaluating her treatment options. Since her cancer was early stage, her care team, including general surgeon, Roy Winslow, MD, oncologist, Edmund Paloyan, MD, and radiation oncologist, Benjamin Gielda, MD, recommended lumpectomy surgery to remove the cancerous cells along with INTRABEAM® intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT). IORT delivers radiation at the time of surgery, following tumor removal. For many patients, including Patty, this would eliminate the need for an additional six weeks of radiation.
“Since it was such a new treatment option I was nervous at first,” admitted Patty. “Dr. Winslow took the time to explain how the technology works and assured me of the specialized, hands-on training he had received. Dr. Gielda was also very detailed when describing the cancer in my breast and even created some drawings so I could visually understand it better. I truly believe my doctors wanted what was best for me – I trusted them.”
In the days leading up to surgery Patty was also grateful for the support and assistance provided to her by nurse navigator, Shelley Wilkinson, RN, CBCN who she calls her “angel.”
“Shelley answered all of my questions and helped to schedule my appointments at times that worked with my schedule – she was very kind and supportive through it all,” said Patty.
After the cancer was removed from Patty’s breast, and while still under anesthesia, Dr. Gielda used the IORT system to deliver a dose of radiation inside the tumor cavity where the cancer was most likely to recur. IORT also minimized radiation exposure to Patty’s healthy tissue and organs.
“I experienced very minimal side effects – it didn’t really even feel like I had surgery to be honest,” Patty recalls. “I suffer from migraines and undergoing surgery was less painful for me.”
In addition to a successful surgery Patty was also grateful for the attention to detail Dr. Winslow gave when stitching up her wound.
“Besides simply being a surgeon and removing the cancer, Dr. Winslow also took the time to make sure my scar looked good – I’m hardly able to see it anymore.”
Three months after surgery, Patty continues to meets regularly with Dr. Paloyan to ensure a smooth, cancer-free recovery. Going forward she also vows to always get a yearly mammogram and encourages all women to do the same.
In October 2016, Lakeland Health became the first health system in the region (west Michigan and northern Indiana) to begin providing radiotherapy using the ZEISS INTRABEAM intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) system. Up until now, the treatment has only been offered primarily at large university medical centers and research hospitals. Learn more at www.lakelandhealth.org/IORT