Breast Cancer Success Stories
Read the stories of your neighbors who survived breast cancer thanks to personalized care from VHC Health.
Glenda’s Journey
I did not have a family history of breast cancer or any symptoms when my breast cancer was detected during a routine mammogram. My doctor gave me a couple of choices to consider for breast surgeons, but I wanted someone at Virginia Hospital Center. Within five minutes of meeting Molly Sebastian, MD, FACS, my husband and I knew we’d found our doctor. She put my mind at ease and made me feel comfortable about my options and the choices I needed to make.
The same was true when we first met Sarosh Zafar, MD to discuss breast reconstruction surgery. She was easy to talk to and so knowledgeable—she made me feel confident.
Both Dr. Sebastian and Dr. Zafar gave us all the time we needed to understand the whole process.
Renewed Faith in Medical Experts
Dr. Sebastian performed a lumpectomy to remove the tumor and, at the same time, Dr. Zafar performed breast reconstruction surgery, including breast reduction. For me, that was a plus. It’s amazing to be able to wear a strapless dress for the first time in my life. With my history of chronic pain from arthritis and fibromyalgia, I was worried how I would feel after surgery. But I never had any pain afterwards, just some soreness. I did not need any narcotic pain medication once I went home.
I just finished four weeks of radiation therapy. I’m working with a trainer and exercising four to five times a week. I walk close to three miles at a stretch.
I’ve been in other hospitals. They don’t compare with the care and the overall experience I had at Virginia Hospital Center. Dr. Sebastian and Dr. Zafar completely renewed our faith in medical professionals.
— Glenda Rogers, Falls Church
Precision Treatment
Diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer, LaRonda’s treatment began with a lumpectomy (breast-conserving) surgery followed by chemotherapy and radiation therapy. She was one of the first patients at Virginia Hospital Center to have BioZorb®, a bio-absorbable marker that improves the precision of radiation treatment for women with early-stage breast cancer.
“In October 2014, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was 37 years old with no history of breast cancer in my family when my doctor found a lump. Nadim Nasr, MD, did an excellent job of explaining the BioZorb device to me. It was reassuring to know the radiation was targeted exactly where it needed to go. I’m doing great.”
— LaRonda Peterson
Genetic Testing Reveals Risk
Concerned by her family history, Leanne Gray, 25, of Washington, DC, read about BRCA gene mutations that can affect cancer risk. A proactive advocate for her own health, she decided she wanted to be tested for a mutation.
“My mother died from breast cancer four years ago at age 48. She had first developed breast cancer when she was 30, and had been treated, but she found a second cancer in 2011. My grandmother had breast cancer as well. Because my cancer was found so early, I had the luxury of time to meet with all my doctors and get as much information as I could to make my decision."
— Leanne Gray
One-Day Treatment
For the past couple of years, Elizabeth, 55, of Alexandria, had been monitored for changes in her breast tissue, but now she felt it was time to seek a second opinion.
“I talked it over with my trusted OB-GYN, Mary Crowther, MD, and asked her who she would recommend. She referred me to breast surgeon Dr. Sebastian, medical director of The Reinsch Pierce Family Center for Breast Health at Virginia Hospital Center. I liked that she performed the biopsy and ultrasound right in her office. Dr. Sebastian’s staff literally took me by the hand and guided me through the entire process, arranging appointments for consultations, scheduling tests and doing follow-up. They made me feel like part of the family.”
— Elizabeth
