Surgeon Dr. Will Gibson gave Diane the worst and best news. First, telling her she had triple negative cancer, and then telling her she was cancer-free after treatment.
From Parkwest Medical Center Health & Lifestyles
There was so much to do and so much to look forward to! Diane Neely had decided to retire early in May 2017 and was making plans to travel, spend time with her family, and get involved in volunteer work.
But when she discovered a lump in her breast last year, all those plans came to a halt. “It felt like a big marble,” Neely says. “It was like it came up overnight.”
Hope for victory
At Parkwest’s Comprehensive Breast Center, Neely underwent imaging to determine what the lump was. When it became clear that it was cancer, radiologist Amanda Squires, MD, approached the situation with a positive attitude, emphasizing the excellent outcomes for patients like Neely. “That was my first beacon of hope,” Neely says. “She’s phenomenal.”
Neely says she got the same positive attitude from others. “The encouragement I received from the clinical professionals gave me the hope and the courage I needed. I just clung to every word because they were the experts. I felt like God gave me the perfect team.”
Cancer Care on the Cutting Edge
After her biopsy, Neely went to General Surgeon Will Gibson, MD, of Premier Surgical, who delivered the news that Neely had triple negative breast cancer. Cancer cells tested negative for estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors (PR), and Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2-), and Neely knew that meant options for treatment could be limited. But “limited” isn’t a word commonly associated with breast cancer treatment at Parkwest Medical Center in Knoxville.
When Neely’s chemotherapy was finished, Dr. Gibson performed oncoplastic reconstruction, a surgical procedure that allows the cancer to be removed with minimal damage to the breast.
“They are such kind, caring people, and they go above and beyond,” Neely says of her surgeon and the hospital staff assisting him. “There’s not one person from the housekeeper on up who didn’t introduce themselves and ask how I was doing and what they could do for me.”
Take a Deep Breath
After chemotherapy and surgery, Neely underwent radiation therapy. Before the treatments began, Neely learned in a support group that a new technique is available at Thompson Cancer Survival Center in downtown Knoxville. The technique is called deep inspiration breath-hold. During DIBH, patients undergoing radiation are given instruction in how to take and hold deep breaths so the heart moves away from the chest, making radiation safer and more effective.
The technique is used primarily for treating left-sided breast cancer like Neely’s, and can also be used during stereotactic body radiotherapy for lung cancer.
Going Forward
Neely also qualified for a clinical trial drug to reduce the chances of the cancer coming back. Triple negative cancer is a threat, but with a multidisciplinary approach, the most comprehensive treatment and a team willing to fight for Neely’s life, she has won her cancer war.
“I’m a control freak, so letting other people make decisions is hard for me,” Neely says, “but they were the right people.”
The Best News
In November 2017 Dr. Gibson had given Neely the worst news she had ever received, telling her she had triple negative cancer. But months later, he was also the one who delivered the good news that Neely was cancer-free.
“It’s been such a blessing to have these people take care of me and fight for me and encourage me and walk with me,” Neely says. “And it’s a hard walk, but there are a lot of good things to come out of it.”
Neely says the way her family rallied around her was incredible. Friends and cancer survivors came forward to offer a level of support she won’t soon forget. “And there’s a new joy that I didn’t have before,” Neely says. “To fight a disease that could take your life and win says to me that you have a cause and a purpose greater than you have previously known.”
To learn more about breast cancer surgical options, visit the Premier Surgical Breast Services page.