Lori’s diagnosis—and the navigator who gave her hope

By: Samantha at National Breast Cancer Foundation

When a doctor at the hospital where Lori worked as a social worker told her she had breast cancer, the mother of two from Alabama was in shock. As a hospital employee, she had great insurance and trusted her medical team, but she found herself struggling to understand why this was happening to her and how to tell her children that their mom had cancer.

Lori’s fear and worry started to clear, as much as possible in her situation, when she connected with her NBCF-funded patient navigator, Janet. An experienced oncology nurse, Janet was able to answer Lori’s questions about her diagnosis, give her information and resources to help her understand what was happening, and better explain the treatment options presented by her doctors.

Janet even went the extra mile by providing Lori with a list of children’s books, available at the local public library, that would help put words and understanding to what their young family was experiencing. Lori was immediately touched by Janet’s care and concern for not just her, but her entire family.

With Janet’s continued guidance and encouragement, Lori joined a support group for breast cancer patients and survivors who are under the age of 45. Janet even found a co-survivor’s support group for Lori’s husband, as well as provided referrals for mental health counseling for their children.

Now on the other side of treatment and with no evidence of disease, Lori volunteers as a support group leader and peer support person for newly diagnosed breast cancer patients—her way of paying forward the help and support she received from Janet.