It’s no secret…women are different.
Throughout your journey as a woman, you have special health needs. Lakeland is committed to offering exemplary care in each stage of life. Whether you are preparing for a birth, managing menopause symptoms, or diagnosing any number of disorders we are ready for you.
As a wife, partner, daughter, friend, mother, you make decisions every day about the care and well-being of those around you. By choosing women’s health at Spectrum Health Lakeland, you can be confident that you’ve made the right decision for you, so you can be at your best—for yourself and those who depend on you.
It’s your journey. And we’ll be right beside you with the skills and expertise you need to ensure you get the most advanced and thorough care possible.
We help with a variety of services and can provide care for:
Breast Care
Cancer
Depression
Gynecology
Heart and vascular care
Incontinence, bladder, and pelvic health
Miscarriage support
Osteoporosis
Pregnancy care
Routine well-woman exams, PAP smear and cervical cancer screenings
Weight management
We all have a story to share.
We provide personalized health care to ensure you have the best possible experience while in our care. Each individual treatment and care plan at Lakeland is just as unique as your are. We are your partners in your health care journey.
Women throughout Southwest Michigan and beyond share their health care experiences at Spectrum Health Lakeland in the stories below.
Do you have a story to share? Click on the "What's Your Story" button and complete the form.
Jun 24, 2020 Reporting from Niles, MI
Restoring Confidence - Shelly Morlock
https://www.spectrumhealthlakeland.org/medical-services/womens-health-services/Detail/restoring-confidence/?utm_source=Restoring_Confidence_&utm_medium=PatientStory_Landing&utm_campaign=InternalPages
Jun 24, 2020
Jun 24, 2020
SpectrumHealth Lakeland
Every woman fears the thought of finding out they have breast cancer. Coloma resident, Shelly Morlock, was no different. The day she discovered a small lump in her right breast, a million thoughts began running through her mind. Breast cancer didn’t
Restoring Confidence - Shelly Morlock
SpectrumHealth Lakeland
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Restoring Confidence - Shelly Morlock
Jun, 2020
Every woman fears the thought of finding out they have breast cancer. Coloma resident, Shelly Morlock, was no different. The day she discovered a small lump in her right breast, a million thoughts began running through her mind. Breast cancer didn’t run in her family–but could it be?
Initial biopsy results came back negative and Shelly felt a wave a relief wash over her. But just over a year later, the lump was still there and seemed to be growing. Shelly knew something wasn’t right.
“I went back for a second biopsy which revealed that it was in fact Stage 2 breast cancer,” said Shelly. “The first time around it was so small that the tissue sample resulted in a negative reading but I’m so glad I listened to my body.”
Shelly consulted with a general surgeon to discuss her options. An MRI was ordered to get a better idea of the exact size and location of the cancerous cells.
“The tumor was bigger than they originally thought, and my surgeon told me that if it was his own sister or aunt, he would recommend removing the entire breast,” said Shelly.
Shelly trusted the advice of her care team and decided to move forward with a mastectomy. She later learned the cancer had traveled outside her breast and spread to the surrounding lymph nodes which would require a full course of chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Over the course of the next year, battling breast cancer became her full-time job.
“I knew what I needed to do in order to beat this and everything else in my life had to wait,” said Shelly. “At the time I had six children and a husband to take care of. It truly made me dig deep and find courage I didn’t know I had. Giving 100% was the only way I pushed through.”
One year later and officially cancer free, each time Shelly looked in the mirror she still didn’t feel quite like herself.
“As a woman, you don’t necessarily realize the role your breasts play in shaping your identity,” said Shelly. “I remember the day after my mastectomy getting out of bed for the first time and feeling so off balance and nauseous. No one prepared me for that, and it was a really overwhelming experience.”
After much consideration and discussion with her care team and family, Shelly decided she wanted to pursue breast reconstruction surgery at Stonegate Plastic Surgery.
“I knew the reconstruction would help me feel like a woman again,” said Shelly. “At the time I was using a silicone breast but it was heavy and made wearing a bra or clothes difficult. I just wanted to feel like me again and I knew I would be in good hands at Stonegate.”
During the TRAM flap procedure, a plastic surgeon removed a section of skin, fat, blood vessels, and muscle from the lower half of her belly and moved it up to the chest to form a breast shape.
“For many breast cancer survivors, the most devastating part is the permanent effects that treatment can have on the body,” said plastic surgeon, Ginard Henry, MD. “Whether it’s immediately following mastectomy, or at a later time, breast reconstruction can dramatically improve a woman’s appearance, self-confidence, and overall quality of life.”
Since the procedure Shelly said she feels more confident in her own skin. Even with an implant, she continues to have a 3D mammogram once a year which allows radiologists the ability to examine breast tissue one thin layer at a time, making fine details more visible and less likely to be hidden by overlapping tissue. Shelly also follows up with oncologist, Edmund Paloyan, MD, regularly to ensure the cancer doesn’t return.
“The best advice I would have for women battling breast cancer or considering a mastectomy is to listen to your doctors and trust your care team,” said Shelly.
Watch more of Shelly's story in the video below: