At 84 years old, Camille (Carmela) is the definition of vitality. A retired teacher who still works, a proud mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, and for the last 11 years, an adult tap dancer. She lives her life with a positive spirit that has served her well, especially when facing a breast cancer diagnosis not once, but twice, decades apart.
Her first battle was in 1997. She faced Stage 2 breast cancer with a lumpectomy, chemotherapy and radiation. “I never missed a day’s work,” she recalled. “I looked at it as, ‘this treatment’s making me better.’”
Fast forward nearly three decades. Camille remained proactive about her health, and a routine mammogram at Mather Hospital’s Fortunato Breast Health Center revealed something new. She underwent a needle biopsy, and soon after came the news of a second diagnosis: Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) at Stage 0, its earliest and most treatable form. It was jarring, but as the news settled in, Camille was immediately put at ease by the familiar and caring environment.
Her story is a crucial reminder that annual screenings are not just an appointment. They are a key tool in the fight against breast cancer, offering the best possible chance for a successful outcome.
“It was a positive experience from the first day I went in,” Camille said. “Everyone at Mather Hospital could not have been nicer. From the clinical care team to the custodial staff, and of course, the surgeon…they were all wonderful. They know how to put you at ease.” In a moment that felt like coming full circle, her surgeon for this second lumpectomy was Randall Schrager, MD, the very same doctor who had performed her surgery 29 years earlier.
This profound sense of comfort and personalized care is what Camille credits for her smooth journey. She praises the entire team at Fortunato, especially her nurse navigator, Marianne. “The doctors and nurses make you feel comfortable when facing an uncertain outcome,” she explained. “On the day of surgery, of course you’re worried, but the whole team puts you at ease.” Camille even remembers joking with the “tall, good-looking” anesthesiologist before her procedure, a reflection of the relaxed atmosphere the team created.
Today, Camille is recovering beautifully and preparing to start a short course of radiation. Her advice to others facing a similar diagnosis is a reflection of her own life philosophy: “Stay positive. Always. Don’t give in to thoughts of doom and gloom. Keep busy and active!”
With a large, loving family, a community of friends, and tap-dancing shoes ready for her next class, Camille has a very full life. Her journey is a powerful testament to the healing power of a positive mindset and the incredible difference that compassionate, community-focused care can make.