Kicking cancer to the curb

Griffin Hospital staff offers support when needed most

DERBY - I'm not one to reveal my thoughts too often but today I thought I'd give it a whirl.

After all, my editors published a story about my breast cancer journey I wrote on a whim last December, and that was straight from the proverbial heart.

I want to publicly thank the health-care professionals at The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital and The Center for Cancer Care, also at Griffin Hospital.

They helped me through every step of my mammography, ultrasound, biopsy, diagnosis, surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and post-treatment appointments.
I'm sure I've left something out, but I must admit 2011 went by in a bit of a blur.

That said, I want to congratulate the hospital on the acquisition of tomosynthesis equipment. The state-of-the-art technology creates 3-D images of a breast.

The equipment can detect previously "hidden" cancer cells on select patients, doctors say. The machine has been in use at Griffin for less than a month.

I attended a reception Thursday at which Dr. Zandra Cheng, medical director at the Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness, told supporters and patients about the new equipment and introduced Dr. Laura Sheiman, the center’s recently hired breast radiologist and breast imaging medical director..

I was fortunate to have imaging supervisor Mariann Vallillo show me the impressive new equipment and demonstrate how it operates. Check out the video imbedded in my story.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and a variety of pink-themed activities are being planned throughout the community.

Schools, church groups, civic organizations, restaurants, and businesses will again take part in The Valley Goes Pink, a month-long initiative to raise awareness and funds for The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness and the grassroots organization, Seymour Pink, Inc.

Please check out the websites to see how you can help these efforts.

My hope is Valley residents will take the time to support at least one of the many fun activities being planned with the goal of making the diagnosis of breast cancer a thing of the past.