网曝门事件

Everything in Elizabeth Naylor鈥檚 life was normal. The St. Helena resident was grateful for this fact as she traveled to see a longtime friend who had undergone a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction. They had not seen each other in over 22 years. On one evening during her visit Elizabeth woke in the middle of the night and knew something was wrong. She recalls, 鈥淚 just knew something was wrong.鈥� Elizabeth stopped to take in the moment trusting her intuition. When she got home she received her diagnosis. And suddenly, nothing was normal again.

From "fine" to facing a serious fight
At first, Elizabeth was told 鈥渆verything is fine鈥� by her healthcare provider, who explained that chemotherapy treatment wasn鈥檛 needed. She had a mammogram and subsequent biopsy then lumpectomy and thought treatment was behind her. However, during a post-operative follow-up appointment a week after her lumpectomy, Elizabeth learned that she had a more aggressive form of breast cancer with larger tumors, known as macrometastases.

Her shock was immediate and involuntary. 鈥淚 screamed so loudly, I think everyone could hear me,鈥� Elizabeth says. She felt her mask fill with vomit. Suddenly, the recommendation to forgo chemotherapy made the situation much more serious. The provider鈥檚 reason why they didn鈥檛 inform her of the severity earlier? "They didn鈥檛 want to upset me." Understandably, Elizabeth was deeply shaken by the news and angry that she hadn鈥檛 been told the whole picture of her health. But she knew who she could turn to.

Finding a sense of hope
Living in a small town has its benefits. One of those benefits is knowing people who genuinely care. Oncologist, Dr. Ethan Schram, a member of the team at 网曝门事件 Health St. Helena鈥檚 Martin-O鈥橬eil Cancer Center, is known for a compassionate, dedicated approach to patient care鈥攁nd he and Elizabeth were acquaintances. Dr. Schram reached out when seeing Elizabeth鈥檚 social media posts stating she was in shock about her diagnosis. He told her, 鈥淲e need to talk.鈥� His outreach was a surprise to Elizabeth as they weren鈥檛 friends yet. Up to that point, she hadn鈥檛 encountered this kind of care. Dr. Schram would subsequently, ask to see her records. After discussing her case with colleagues, Dr. Schram told Elizabeth she needed to be seen immediately.

鈥淚 asked him, 鈥楢m I going to die?鈥欌�� Elizabeth remembers. 鈥淎nd he said, 鈥榥ot if I have anything to do about it!鈥欌��

Dr. Schram introduced Elizabeth to Marlene Lennon, NP, 网曝门事件 Health St. Helena鈥檚 breast navigator, a breast cancer survivor herself. During an hour-long meeting, Marlene walked Elizabeth through her diagnosis and treatment options step-by-step, even though Elizabeth was not yet an 网曝门事件 Health patient. Marlene was straightforward and led with the facts. 鈥淪he gave me a sense of hope,鈥� Elizabeth describes. 鈥淚 felt like there could be a solution.鈥�

Elizabeth chose to change providers and insurance plans so she could continue her care at 网曝门事件 Health St. Helena. 鈥淚 reached out to Dr. Schram to let him know that I was officially an 网曝门事件 Health patient,鈥� remembers Elizabeth. 鈥淎nd he told me to get ready, because things were about to get real.鈥�

Facing fear with personalized care
Dr. Schram hadn鈥檛 been exaggerating. From that initial screening session with Marlene through her final chemotherapy session at the Martin-O鈥橬eil Cancer Center, being real has been a continued way of life for Elizabeth.

At the beginning of her treatment, she was no longer angry. She was scared. Lucky for her, she was in great hands. Breast surgeon, Dr. Charles Elboim, removed 21 cancerous lymph nodes. Dr. Schram led her chemotherapy treatment. Marlene continued to provide guidance and support. And the team of nurses and staff at the Martin-O鈥橬eil Cancer Center surrounded her with their compassionate, personalized care.

When Elizabeth completed her treatment, she joined in the tradition of ringing the gong prominently placed in the Cancer Center鈥檚 lobby to celebrate. Not shy about her feelings, Elizabeth hit the gong with vigor, surrounded by the staff and family members who had supported her along the way.

Finding a new normal鈥攁nd a sense of purpose
However, after going home, Elizabeth remembers feeling hollow. 鈥淚 felt alone and was missing a sense of purpose. But I鈥檓 not one to sit and wallow!鈥� Elizabeth says. Instead, she soon dove into a newfound love鈥攕upporting others facing a cancer diagnosis.

Elizabeth begins her journey as chief executive officer at Crush Cancer Napa Valley this October, replacing founder Rayellen Jordan, who was just starting to search for a successor as Elizabeth was looking for a new mission.

Elizabeth鈥檚 drive and determination to make an impact in her new role are palpable. 鈥淚 want to be a voice, a place of support and source of information for those who are starting their cancer journey,鈥� explains Elizabeth. 鈥淐ancer saved my life, and I don鈥檛 sweat the small stuff anymore.鈥�

Elizabeth鈥檚 journey wasn鈥檛 easy鈥攖he rocky and unsettled start, transition of providers and diving into surgery and chemotherapy have forever changed her. But thanks to the care she received and her determined spirit, Elizabeth has a new, better definition of normal. 鈥淚鈥檓 in the happiest place in my life right now,鈥� she concludes.