The Faces of Breast Cancer In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month The Regional Cancer Center produced The Faces of Breast Cancer calendar in 2004. Twelve women were chosen to be featured from among the Center's patients. Here are their courageous stories. As cancer care providers we gain inspiration from each and every patient we encounter. We are proud to have been partners with these 12 women, to be part of their stories, and to be sharing them with you. We salute them and their families and all of our patients who find themselves in the unique challenge of a cancer diagnosis. Orinda Pulice    Dr. Kathleen Erb    Patricia Liebel    Shirley Martin    Barbara Power    Margaret Reinwald    Michele Latzo    Charlotte Anderson    Barbara Fohl    “Peep” Brereton    Karen Brzuz    Connie Falvey    Orinda Pulice A cartoon shows Frank and Ernest driving along and encountering two signs: "Highway of Life" and "Slow-Ironic Twists Ahead." In agreeing to participate in this calendar project, Orinda Pulice, a volunteer here at The Regional Cancer Center, happily talked about a survival of 22 years since her diagnosis of breast cancer. The irony enters in because Orinda has just discovered another cancer in her other breast. Confident that she can survive this new cancer, she is beginning her journey once again through surgery and treatment. The courage of the human spirit is evident in her! At age 46, Orinda's doctor found a lump and ordered a biopsy. Orinda became actively involved - she did extensive reading on procedure options and associated risks. She chose a lumpectomy. However, the lymph node dissection showed extensive involvement and her chances of survival were estimated to be 1 in 5. "I decided I had too much to live for - and too much to do! I had a husband and six young children." So she began an aggressive battle to conquer her disease. And "conquer" she has! "My life was never the same after diagnosis. Things that once seemed important are now trivial." What was most important was the love and support of Don, her husband, her children and many friends. She endured 30 radiation treatments, a radium implant, nine months of chemotherapy and 18 years of continuing drug therapy. One lasting and difficult side effect has been lymphedema, a swelling in her arm from damage done to the lymph nodes during radiation. The lymphedema has progressed over these years, resulting in very little use of her arm. "Surgery and radiation treatment have progressed in the last 22 years; very few women have to battle this specific side effect in any great measure," she cautions other patients. At the Center, Orinda interacts regularly with patients and their families. When appropriate, she shares her story with women recently diagnosed with a breast cancer. "Yes," she says to them if facing chemotherapy treatment, "your hair does grow back!" Among her six children are three daughters. She worries that she may have possibly passed on a gene that increases their risk for breast cancer. She and they are most attentive to regular check-ups and self-exams. "Every woman needs to make a habit of checking herself monthly - it only takes 10 minutes!" As this calendar is in production, Orinda is beginning an all-too-familiar journey once again. It is difficult, but she is very confident that she will look ahead to another 22 years of restored health when this battle is won. Back to Top Kathleen Erb, MD "Being a patient has been quite a learning experience. I now appreciate even more what patients go through when faced with a diagnosis of cancer," reflected Dr. Kathleen Erb. Two years ago, Kathleen Erb, MD found a breast lump doing self-exam. Initially, she wasn't too concerned since she had experienced something similar previously that turned out to be a cyst. But a sonogram revealed a solid mass, which called for a biopsy. Dr. Erb is a well-known Erie surgeon, chosen often by women finding themselves in need of surgery. Suddenly, she had to make a series of decisions about her own care. Because of a desire for privacy and some measure of comfort, Dr. Erb went to Pittsburgh, where she initially trained, for the biopsy and subsequent surgery. She experienced delay between the biopsy and lumpectomy, mainly because of her very busy schedule and commitments. "I knew, intellectually, that the wait would not compromise my care. The lump was small. As soon as possible, I went ahead with the surgery and chose a partial mastectomy and sentinel node procedure that, fortunately, showed no lymph node involvement. "The big temptation is to be your own doctor, which is probably true for most physicians. I found I had to turn it over to and try not to second-guess my doctor. I chose a lumpectomy and node biopsy with radiation to follow the surgery. These decisions were fairly easy for me to make; however, the question of entering into chemotherapy was more difficult. Again there were choices to make - to have it or not, which protocol of medications to choose, and attempting to measure the side effects of the various choices. I knew that, if at any point there would be a recurrence, I'd probably think how foolish I was not to have chosen chemotherapy. Ultimately, I went ahead with chemo treatment." She continued, "My husband, also a physician, was supportive as were my sons. He and I agreed easily on some of the choices before me and discussed all aspects as I worked my way through the process. Although men tend generally not to be so verbal, they were very aware of what was occurring. Also, I received great comfort and benefit from the many well wishers and prayers of my patients, friends and associates." What message does Dr. Erb have for women? "Aside from doing self-exams and having regular mammograms, have some awareness of your own personal risk. If you find yourself in the circumstance of having a breast cancer, it is important to gather information about your treatment options, and approach your choices in a fairly thoughtful manner, considering your own life circumstances." Back to Top Patricia Liebel To many Erie natives, Patricia Liebel's name is familiar. Much of her career was spent working closely with former Mayor Tullio. Since then, she has worked at Mercyhurst College as Director of Alumni. Pat is committed, driven to succeed. This positive attitude and optimistic outlook were evident in her personal struggle with breast cancer as well. It was in 1995 that Pat was diagnosed. "I was devastated at first," she reflected. But soon after diagnosis, she made the choice of a mastectomy, noting, "It was the right choice for me. I don't think of myself as disfigured-I think of myself as perfectly normal." Even during the period of time when she had surgery and treatment, Pat continued to focus on her goals. During the hardest treatments, she would take only a few days off, experiencing wonderful support from her co-workers at Mercyhurst. Pat's family was very supportive. Her cousin, Tara, a nurse, accompanied her to regular treatments and checkups. Pat would always dress in business attire, a simple way of keeping a perspective on her disease. She credits her quick recovery to a positive attitude and a willingness to take care of herself. Her outward appearance demonstrated that she wasn't ready to give up. Her disease was only one component of her life - it didn't define her! "Women need to share [their experience] with other women," she commented. And Pat does just that. "When you experience a difficult time, you can often help others by sharing it." She encourages women to become more attuned to their own bodies, stressing the importance of annual mammograms. Without hers, she might not have found her cancer early enough for treatment - and hopefully, cure. Pat also offers a piece of advice to women who are diagnosed with breast cancer, "You have to go into this thinking that you will come through it and be well." With that attitude, Pat continues to live each day fully, appreciating life and focusing on her goals. Back to Top