You’ve Been Involved in the Community for Some Time Now. Can You Share More About Your Work and Service?
I’m currently a member of the Library Board, and the healthcare consultant for the Easton Community Center. I’ve served as Commissioner for the Easton EMS, and spent the majority of my career as an emergency department nurse and critical care instructor.
Most recently, I developed an App that guides health care providers in resuscitation, assists with critical tasks, and documents events. It has been an incredible experience to empower others in this new capacity and to see how this technology can improve the chances that patients will survive their cardiac arrest, as well as increase provider efficiency, and create positive environments for those in the healthcare workplace.
I’m running for one of the Constable positions for the town, and I hope to find solutions that will help to move Easton forward.
Do You Have Any Health or Wellness Related Information That You’d Like to Share with our Extended Community?
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Year after year, we see the pink ribbons, hear the taglines about “Pinktober”, mammograms and self exams. For most of us, it sits on the periphery of our radar. Until it’s you or someone you love that gets the diagnosis.
Let me tell you about my journey…
“I am a breast cancer survivor. One year down and four to go… until I can say that I am cancer free.”
My annual breast health check ups were on February 14, 2018. I sighed my usual sigh of relief to hear that both my mammo and ultrasound were fine, and I got the “see you next year” from my doctor!
Then, I started to notice small changes to my nipple that April, just two months after my exams. Having had a lumpectomy a few years prior, I chalked it up to scar tissue. As the weeks progressed, it became worse and sore. I thought to myself, “I have my next doctor’s appointment in July. It can wait until then.”
Did You Wait Until July to Get It Checked Out?
No. I mentioned it to my husband during a casual conversation. So he took a look, and (not surprisingly) knowing what a good doctor he is – said I should have it checked immediately.
On June 7, 2018, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. David literally saved my life by urging me to go to the doctor when I did. I am a lucky breast cancer patient. I was told that I had the “best” type of tumor. I am confident that this will be a one and done incident, and I am here a year later to share my story because of early detection. Watch this video to learn more…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PLFhdF_9mkDl1fzXpFS4axVCgzBxX4d7aq&v=NKhIvufyji0
What Lessons Did You Learn Through This Experience?
Always get your mammogram yearly but don’t rely on that alone. Make sure you do monthly breast exams, and if you think that you notice something that makes you unsure or uneasy – do not hesitate to reach out to your doctor immediately! Also, if you have a partner, it is important to use them as your second line of defense. I say this as a nurse and healthcare professional, because these topics should not be taboo. From a clinical standpoint, it is often the partner that notices something different (before the patient). Breast cancer affects both men and women, although in the U.S. less than 1 percent of all breast cancer cases occur in men. Regardless of gender, we need to be vigilant about our (breast) health and empower each other to say something or to encourage a doctors visit.
And it’s important to “know your lemons” like the video above shows! I want to encourage you to talk openly about breast health, and the video above is worth sharing as it might just save a life!
My hope is that this October you’ll be informed… about your breast health and also about who’s running for municipal elections in Easton. I hope you’ll choose to take action on both. If I can offer any words of support or doctor recommendations, please feel free to reach out too. And I’d love to see you at the polls at Samuel Staples Elementary School on Tuesday, November 5th!
