Hoag Helps Breast Cancer Patient Stay in Control
“I trust Hoag and I trusted Drs. Khan and Savalia. I read up on the
work that they do, and based on their experience, I had a lot of comfort
going in,” she says.
Christine Huynh’s first thoughts were for her daughters. A diagnosis
of breast cancer is scary enough, but when you are the mother of two teenage
girls, the words “breast cancer” can be shattering.
“When I received the diagnosis of invasive ductal carcinoma, I started
crying. ‘What about my daughters?’” says Christine, 48.
Genetic counselor Frances Oh, M.S., was able to put Christine at ease.
Christine does not carry any of the genes associated with higher breast
cancer risk. Instead of fearing for the future, Christine was able to
focus on the present, on herself and on her well-being.
Once she was able to concentrate on tackling the cancer, she found she
had more questions than answers – and a lot of unsolicited advice.
“My sister said, ‘Cut it off and you don’t have to worry
about it,’” Christine says. “But I didn’t want
to do that. It’s a big procedure. And there’s no guarantee
the cancer won’t return.”
The medical team at Hoag listened to Christine’s needs, assessed
her prognosis and worked with her to come up with a plan that made her
comfortable and kept her in control. Working with breast surgical oncologist
and Hoag Breast Center Program Advisor, Sadia Khan, D.O., Christine opted
to undergo a lumpectomy with reconstructive surgery, a procedure known
as oncoplastic surgery.
Nirav Savalia, M.D., director of Oncoplastic and Aesthetic Breast Surgery
at Hoag, worked with Dr. Khan to perform the surgery, which combines plastic
surgery techniques with cancer removal principles to leave women both
tumor-free and whole.
“I trust Hoag and I trusted Drs. Khan and Savalia. I read up on the
work that they do, and based on their experience, I had a lot of comfort
going in,” she says.
Christine laughs that “from the time I got diagnosed to the time
of my surgery, I think 20 to 30 people saw my breasts,” but she
marvels at the professionalism and care of the extensive and comprehensive
team at Hoag.
“They explained what the procedure would entail, and the process
from start to finish, and the doctor would take the time to make sure
that I understood,” she says. “When I cried, the radiologist
cried with me. She has daughters, too. And everyone was so kind.”
Because Christine’s cancer was caught at an early stage, she was
able to undergo a shorter round of radiation than most. After 21 days
of treatment from radiation oncologist Kevin Lin, M.D., Christine’s
regimen was over.
“On my last day, I felt like I was really going to miss the nurses
and everyone,” Christine says. “I said, ‘What am I going
to do when I don’t see you guys anymore?’”
What Christine did was build upon her experience of empowerment and take
control of her health. By changing her diet, Christine dropped her “bad”
cholesterol from 199 to 87. She started running in half-marathons, doing
CrossFit 3-4 times per week, cut out all sugar and watched her high blood
sugar issues disappear.
“I told myself, ‘If I can survive breast cancer, I can control
this,’” she says.
Christine still sees oncologist An Nguyen, M.D., regularly to receive Tamoxifen.
She sees Dr. Khan every six months and Dr. Lin once a year. While she
fears recurrence, she has faith that if the cancer were to come back,
it would be found early enough that she and her medical team could defeat it again.
She no longer fears for her daughters or for the future. Instead, she’s
focused on taking control of her health.
“For me, once I decide to do something I make it happen.”