Cancer never comes at a good time. St. Simons Island resident Carole Nolan
found that out in August 2012 when she discovered a lump in her breast
about two weeks before she was scheduled for shoulder surgery to repair
a painful rotator cuff.
Within about a week, the lump was confirmed as malignant but only at Stage
1. "I was never very good about self breast exams, but my oncologist
said that it probably saved my life in this case. The cancer was aggressive
but we caught it early."
Carole, whose sister had been treated for breast cancer at Mayo Clinic
in Jacksonville, originally planned to seek treatment there, but changed
her mind after consulting with the surgeon who performed her biopsy, Vincent
K. Arlauskas, M.D., Southeast Georgia Physician Associates-Glynn General
& Vascular Surgery. "Dr. Arlauskas was so kind and wonderful.
I felt I would be in excellent hands, so I decided to stay right here
for my cancer treatment," she says. "While my sister's experience
was very positive, I felt my cancer regimen here was just as thorough
and focused."
One of the first people Carole met during her cancer journey was Donna
Perkins, R.N., CBPN-IC, the Health System's Breast Care Center patient
navigator. "Donna was pulled in immediately and assisted me on numerous
occasions. She was always available to help alleviate my fears and anxieties.
She is a real gem. "
Carole went through Mammosite Targeted Radiation Therapy under the direction
of Timothy A. Jamieson, M.D. of Southeast Georgia Physician Associates-Radiation
Oncology. Mammosite is a treatment option for certain types of early stage
breast cancer and can be completed in just five days. She then had a series
of chemotherapy treatments for three months under the direction of Duane
P. Moores, M.D., Southeast Georgia Physician Associates-Hematology &
Oncology. Thankfully, her orthopaedic surgeon was able to get her shoulder
pain under control with cortisone shots, so she has been able to postpone
shoulder surgery.
"My experience with the Cancer Care Center was extremely positive
every step of the way," Carole says. "All my physicians and
the entire cancer care team were so professional, supportive and caring.
I was so impressed with how closely all the departments worked together.
The Southeast Georgia Health System Cancer Care Center is second to none
in my opinion, and I would recommend it to anyone who has breast cancer."