Published August, 30, 2024
Mission to remission
Laura Gordon has a family history of breast cancer so when she felt a lump in her breast, she knew something was wrong. Standard mammography scans at her community hospital kept returning clear results, but a referral to RVH’s high-risk cancer program would prove otherwise and mark the beginning of the fight of her life.
Laura is a Muskoka resident who leads a busy and full life walking, biking, and line-dancing, in addition to boating, fishing, and attending music festivals in the summer months. She’s also an involved parent taking her daughter to extracurricular activities. Despite her busy schedule, Laura makes time to listen to her body and rest when she needs it.
That’s because Laura is recovering from breast cancer.
“So much expertise and state-of-the-art equipment can be found at RVH since its our regional cancer centre. I knew this was where I wanted to have my next scan”
Laura Gordon, Grateful Patient
“Because of my family history with breast cancer, I started getting mammograms when I was 36,” she explains. “Before my diagnosis, I could feel a mass in my breast. And, when I did my self exams, I could very clearly feel that it was getting larger as time went on. I also started seeing other warning signs too. But my mammograms kept showing I was clear because my breast tissue was so dense.”
Knowing something was wrong, Laura advocated for her own health by requesting a referral to RVH’s Hudson Regional Cancer Program.
“So much expertise and state-of-the-art equipment can be found at RVH since its our regional cancer centre. I knew this was where I wanted to have my next scan,” she explains. Laura had her mammogram appointment using RVH’s advanced 3D technology (called digital breast tomosynthesis) which can capture very detailed images, including detecting abnormalities in dense breast tissue like Laura’s.
“The day I had my scan was my sister’s birthday. It was an evening appointment and it was COVID protocols, so I had to leave my husband at the door,” she recalls. “I was trying not to cry walking through RVH, but I couldn’t help it. I already knew there was something wrong and this was the day I was going to have it confirmed.”
Laura joined the more than 20,000 other patients who receive a scan in the Breast Imaging department every year. Like Laura, these people travel from across the region to receive advanced scans that provide a baseline for their health, making RVH a vital partner in regional care.
Laura’s scan revealed four tumours – three stacked on top of each other in one breast and another in her lymph node. Within 48 hours, she was called back for a biopsy and ultrasound. Within a week, she was diagnosed with locally advanced breast cancer, and she had appointments to meet her oncologist, plastic surgeon, and radiation physician.
“I knew something was there that wasn’t detected, so it was almost relief to know that I was right about what was happening in my body,” Laura explains. “Obviously, it was a scary diagnosis, especially with having a tumor in my lymph nodes. But you need the diagnosis before you can have a treatment plan. And now that I knew, I was ready to come out of the gate swinging.”
Laura underwent four months of chemotherapy treatment at the Hudson Regional Cancer Centre (formerly the Simcoe Muskoka Regional Cancer Centre), followed by a double mastectomy, where surgeons removed 13 lymph nodes, with immediate reconstruction. Once she recovered, Laura had five weeks of daily radiation treatment.
“Within a year, I was through all of it and cancer free,” she remarks. “I felt fully supported throughout my treatment. Everyone makes time for you, and your needs, regardless of how busy they are. If they don’t hear from you, they call you to make sure all is well. If I had to do it all over again, I wouldn’t change a thing.”
Nearly one year later, Laura is still recovering from her experience.
“My daughter still has her mother because of RVH donors,” she explains. “Without that life-saving technology to detect the cancer, my story would have had a much different ending. But because of their kindness, they’ve saved my life. This equipment has saved my life.”
“It takes a real toll on your body going through all of that. I’m still tired. My life has slowed down a bit from the pace I kept before cancer,” she says. “But that’s okay because I’m still here.”
Laura’s follow-up imaging and bloodwork has just been bumped to every six months (instead of every three). As Laura continues to monitor her health, she is very thankful for the top-of-the line imaging equipment that donors have helped fund.
“My daughter still has her mother because of RVH donors,” she explains. “Without that life-saving technology to detect the cancer, my story would have had a much different ending. But because of their kindness, they’ve saved my life. This equipment has saved my life.”