It’s never going to happen to me.
That’s the mindset that many people have about breast cancer, said Cherie Walthers, an accounts payable specialist for CHI Franciscan Health and a two-time breast cancer survivor.
“It can happen to you, it can happen to anyone,” she said.
Walthers had the genetic tests, had no family history of breast cancer, there was nothing that would put her at risk for breast cancer, yet still she was diagnosed with breast cancer in October of 2010. She decided to seek care at St. Francis Hospital, a part of CHI Franciscan Health. She credits her team of doctors for helping to save her life.
Dr. Carolina Wasicek was the surgeon who performed her initial mastectomy in December 2010 and the second mastectomy, after a second diagnosis, in December 2013, she recalled.
“In my opinion, she is a great doctor and an even greater surgeon. I credit her for saving my life. I also consider her a friend.”
Her oncologist — Dr. Saif Kasubhai with Northwest Medical Specialties located on the St. Francis Hospital campus in Federal Way — along with the tumor board determined her course of treatment, what type of chemotherapy drugs to use and the length of her treatment. Walthers saw him once a week for six months of chemotherapy treatments and has continued to see him for follow-up appointments twice a year.
She also saw Nancy Steedman, an oncology dietician who works at St. Joseph Medical Center.
“She teaches about the importance of nutrition during cancer treatment and overall how it is possible to fight cancer, and help to prevent recurrence, through diet and ‘super foods,’” she said.
Another class Cherie took advantage of through CHI Franciscan was Look Good-Feel Better, a class for women to gain inspiration and support.
“Take advantage of those programs,” she added. “Eat right.”
Walthers also had great support from her family, friends and co-workers.
“Everybody’s pretty supportive when you tell them you have cancer,” she said.
Walthers never missed work, except to go to appointments.
“You want normalcy,” she added.
While some people may say, “Why me?”Walthers said, “I always felt, why not me? I was better equipped to deal with it.”
She had a job, insurance and strong support from her family and friends. She didn’t lack the resources needed to battle it.
Now that she works at CHI Franciscan Health, she said, “I couldn’t be more grateful to everyone at CHI Franciscan who helped get me through my experience with cancer and back to good health. I was unbelievably excited to get a job here.”
She added it “feels awesome” to be part of an organization that does “such important work, like saving lives. An organization like CHI Franciscan, that honestly makes such a positive difference.”
Walthers wants women with breast cancer to “keep positive” and to “know that you can get through it.”
Her advice for women who have never had cancer: “Don’t think you’re exempt,” and “get your mammograms.”
More information
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and it is recommended that every woman, age 40 or older, get an annual mammogram. An annual mammogram, combined with a clinical breast exam and a monthly breast exam provides the best chance for early detection of breast cancer. For more information and to schedule a mammogram visit us at chifranciscan.org/mammogram.
