What a Difference a Year Makes: Holly’s Cancer Journey
Today marks one year since I began my breast cancer treatments. It’s hard to believe that in 365 short days so much can change. The joy and relief of ringing the bells after my treatments has slowly...
View ArticleLisa’s Sisterhood Story: Part 2
Following a cancer diagnosis, it’s a common practice to have follow-up and checkup appointments every so many months to allow doctors to keep a close eye on you. For me, it was every six months. And as...
View ArticleSurviving & Thriving: Words from our 2018 BBC Models
BUST Breast Cancer Bra Art Fundraiser is an event like no other. It is one special night in Baton Rouge where we celebrate survivorship and raise awareness of breast cancer and the importance of early...
View ArticleOncology Massage for Cancer Patients
Cancer treatments can take a toll on a patient, often time leaving them with a sense of restlessness, fatigue, anxiety, or pain. To help combat some of these symptoms, Woman’s Center for Wellness is...
View ArticleSummer Skincare
While we all look forward to beach days and time spent by the pool, enjoying the summer sun, it is extremely important to protect your skin. Sunscreen is one of the most effective protective agents...
View ArticleWoman’s Speaks Your Language … and 240 More!
Spanish, Arabic, Portuguese, Pashto, Swahili, Burmese, Hindi, Vietnamese….What do all of these languages have in common? The answer is simple! These are some of the top languages spoken to Woman’s...
View ArticleAnn’s Cancer Journey
“There’s nothing more powerful than a good story…” For all of you Game of Thrones fans, this saying may sound familiar; but show fan or not, its true! There really isn’t anything more powerful than a...
View ArticleCancer Therapy at Woman’s Center for Wellness
Fighting cancer can be exhausting and overwhelming. Side effects from surgery, chemotherapy and radiation can often leave you side-lined; but, know that you are not alone in this fight. The therapy...
View ArticleResearch at Woman’s is Improving Women’s Health
While many people may think of Woman’s first and foremost as a place to have a baby, our roots are actually in research. In the late 1950s, a cervical cancer detection laboratory was established by one...
View ArticleRosa’s Cancer Journey
I’ve always taken good care of myself. I was sure to try and eat healthy, exercise when I could, and always had an annual doctor’s exam. I did what I needed to do to make sure that I could live the...
View ArticleSurviving & Thriving: Words from our 2019 BBC Models
BUST Breast Cancer Bra Art Fundraiser is an absolutely unique event that has earned the recognition of one of Baton Rouge’s best. It is a very special night where we celebrate survivorship and raise...
View ArticleHow to Get a Super Powered Immune System!
Author: Tammy Dupuy, MD, IFMCP and Nia’Ja Mack, NP A super powered immune system can protect your body against many viruses and diseases. So how do you get your body in shape to fight from the inside...
View ArticleScreening mammogram in a COVID-19 world
It was time for my annual mammogram screening – in COVID world. I am in my mid-30’s, but had a suspicious lump a year ago so now I get mammograms every year (lucky me). Mammograms always make me a...
View ArticleExercise Benefits for Cancer Patients
Author: Angela Page, PT, Woman’s Adult Therapy Supervisor EXERCISE is a daunting word for many people, even more so for someone battling cancer. However, it is one of the most important things you can...
View ArticleBook Woman’s Mobile Mammography Coach
Have you ever passed the Woman’s Hospital brightly colored bus and wondered what it is or where it’s going? Unlike most buses that bring people to different places, ours brings a very important “place”...
View ArticleWoman’s Mobile Mammography Coach Came to my Office
I am faithful about getting my annual mammogram, especially after needing three breast biopsies in the last 10 years. Fortunately, no cancer was found, but I know that getting an early diagnosis is the...
View ArticleA Pinch of Relief for Cancer Patients
The last thing a cancer patient probably wants to hear about is more needles, but what if a little stick could ease some of the negative side effects of chemotherapy and radiation? Mary Catherine...
View ArticleLindsey McCombie’s Breast Cancer Journey
My name is Lindsey McCombie and I have been married to my college sweetheart for six years. I have two young, amazing and busy children – Carter (4 yrs.) and Pearl (3 yrs.). Two weeks before my 30th...
View ArticleWhat do you think of when you think of Life Support?
Author: Tracey Neldare My name is Tracey S. Neldare, a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. I am 52 years old and I’ve been married for 29 years to my wonderful husband, Tramelle Neldare. I am the mother...
View ArticleLois McKenzie Ahmed Breast Cancer Journey
My name is Lois McKenzie Ahmed, I am 56 years old and in March of 2020, I was diagnosed with HER-2 Positive Breast Cancer. I had my annual screening mammogram in February and a week and a half later...
View ArticleWhitney Breaux’s Breast Cancer Story
Friday, March 20, 2020: 7:00 AM: Received a call from Laurie Kowalevsky, Chief Marketing Officer of Eli Lilly and company. “Congratulations Whitney! You’re being promoted to COO and Global Marketing...
View ArticleJennifer Brooks’ Breast Cancer Journey
2020 has had its challenges for everyone, including myself. I thought the hardest thing I would have to encounter would be giving birth via c-section to my first child during a pandemic. I knew my...
View ArticleHelping All Women Prevent Cancer
Author: Kelly Beck, LBCHP patient navigator at Woman’s Hospital Routine cancer screenings have greatly declined since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in many undiagnosed cancers. That...
View ArticleSarah Gray’s Breast Cancer Journey
By the third kid you like to think you have the pregnancy thing figured out! However, my third pregnancy included a curveball no prior pregnancy or prenatal book could have prepared me for. Twenty-nine...
View ArticleRhonda’s Cancer Rehab
A cancer diagnosis is a lot to handle, and sometimes the lifesaving treatments that follow can be just as difficult. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery, while necessary, often cause medical...
View ArticleSoSis Sisters Helping BUST Breast Cancer
If you’ve traveled down Highway 1 in Port Allen lately, you may have noticed something a little out of place. SoSis Boutique, which is typically lined with mannequins dressed in the latest trends, is...
View ArticleGetting The Girls Back!
Cancer can take a lot from a woman. Her energy, her hair, her eyebrows, and oftentimes her breasts. When women undergo breast surgery as part of their cancer treatment, their nipple(s) are typically...
View ArticleThe Power of Pumpkin
The holidays would not be complete without the traditional flavor of the pumpkin. And although there are a lot of traditions cancer patients have to sacrifice, especially this year, pumpkin flavor is...
View ArticleWhat Does Palliative Care Mean in a Cancer Patient’s Journey?
When people hear the words “palliative care” they often instantly think “end of life care” however that is not necessarily the case! Palliative care is given throughout a patient’s experience with...
View ArticleKnocking Cancer’s Butt One Punch at A Time
Written By: Kimberly Hawkins Who knew that my first mammogram would be this memorable? Yep, that’s right. My first mammogram is how I found out that I have stage 2 breast cancer. On August 31, those...
View Article“I found a fight in me that I didn’t know I had.”
Author: Iris Williams In December 2019, I started having severe pelvic pain and heavy bleeding, my gynecologist and I decided a hysterectomy was the solution. On February 14, 2020 – Valentine’s Day – I...
View ArticleTen Things to Know About Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer is cancer that starts the cervix. The cervix is located inside the vagina (birth canal) and connects the vagina to the upper part of the uterus. Each year, approximately 12,000 women in...
View ArticleWalking Thru a Pandemic to Find a Cure
Almost a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, large in-person gatherings are still on hold in an effort to control the spread of the virus. But large events, like walks and runs, raise much needed funds...
View ArticleTracey’s Cancer Journey Update
Hello everyone, I hope all well. This is Tracey Neldare, I’m here to give you an update of my progress since my last blog in October 2020. I’ve had my lumpectomy and it was successful, thank God. My...
View ArticleTotes de Joie: Fighting Cancer with Positivity and Joy
According to the American Cancer Society, 1 in 4 people with cancer experience feelings of depression. But one local cancer survivor is using her Cajun roots and support system to change that...
View ArticleA Gift of Gratitude
Last November, Mary Helen Burns had her annual, routine mammogram and was shocked when she found out she needed further testing. Her second, diagnostic mammogram, revealed a spot on her breast. She...
View ArticleLindsey’s Cancer Update
Since my last blog I have finished chemotherapy, removed my port, and had reconstruction surgery. Oh and, most importantly, I’M CANCER FREE! I’ve really fought hard to embrace each change and accept...
View ArticleTherapeutic Marijuana Helping Patients at Breast & GYN Cancer Pavilion
By Dr. Mary Raven, Palliative Care Physician & Michelle Leerkes, RN, Palliative Care Nurse Navigator When patients undergo treatment for cancer, they often experience nausea, pain, anxiety, fatigue...
View ArticleJillian Armstrong, Breast Cancer Survivor
I entered the world of cancer survivors in January of this year. Everything was a whirlwind from finding the lump to getting an ultrasound, mammogram, and biopsy to more scans and awaiting results and...
View ArticleCourtney Edwards: Cancer Survivor, Grateful Patient, Volunteer
How did you get involved with BUST Breast Cancer? Woman’s Hospital means so much to me. As a breast cancer survivor treated at Woman’s, I am forever grateful for this hospital, the doctors, nurses and...
View ArticleLindsay Guercio’s Cancer Journey
I was asked to write this blog months ago, but honestly I never could find the words. Now, I think I’m finally ready to share. 11 months ago I was in Dr. Ann Lafranca’s office for a routine annual...
View ArticleMiranda’s Cancer Journey
By Miranda Atkins-Smith, Breast and GYN Cancer Pavilion Patient In January I found a lump and the moment I saw my tumor on the ultrasound screen, I knew in my heart that it was probably malignant in...
View ArticleThe Truth About GYN Health
By Renee Cowan, MD, MPH GYN Oncologist, Woman’s Hospital You’ve probably heard a lot in mainstream news and on social media about breast cancer. Chances are, you know someone who has experienced it...
View ArticleGYN Cancer & Pelvic Health
Being told you have cancer can be overwhelming! Being told you have gynecological cancer can bring on additional fears and concerns — particularly because these aren’t areas we usually like to discuss....
View ArticleNutrition, Physical Activity and Cancer Prevention
By: Robin Strate, RDN, LDN Women have unique needs when it comes to health and wellness! There are certain types of cancers that only women can be afflicted with and these include all gynecological...
View ArticleJulie’s Oncology Massage Testimony
After undergoing cancer treatment, Julie Chenier began to experience limited range of motion and a constant “fullness” feeling under her arm. Her plastic surgeon recommended a small procedure or deep...
View ArticleSarah’s Miracle Baby
Sarah Grace Brooks is a mom, cancer survivor, Woman’s volunteer and donor. She eagerly and passionately shared two stories when asked why she chooses to give. Sarah’s first story takes place in 2016...
View ArticleBreast Health
Unfortunately, being born female is the main risk factor for breast cancer. In fact, one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime. That’s one in eight mothers, sisters,...
View ArticleCancer & Mental Health
By: Robin Maggio, LCSW;OSW-C;ACHP-SW, Oncology Social Worker May is National Mental Health Awareness Month, so it seems fitting to discuss how a cancer diagnosis can affect the emotional health of...
View ArticleCelebrating Survivorship
By Kristen Wells Woman’s Cancer Pavilion Patient It is the words no one wants to hear: “Unfortunately, it is breast cancer.” In May 2021, at only 37 years old and never having had a mammogram, this was...
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