In the fall of 2011, Sharon Hart Braun began to experience symptoms she could not explain.
“I looked like I was nine months pregnant, and my stomach was hard,” she remembered. “I saw my doctor at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital because I suspected I had cancer. Testing revealed a tumor the size of a watermelon on my ovary. It was stage 0 cancer, but there was a chance it could come back.”
Sharon had surgery but no chemotherapy or radiation. She also had a full hysterectomy. Three months later, at a routine mammogram, she received more bad news.
“I was still thanking God I’d survived the tumor when my mammogram revealed calcifications in both breasts. I had a biopsy, which showed cancer in one breast.”
Her doctors recommended a lumpectomy with radiation. At the time of diagnosis, it didn’t appear the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes.
“But when they did the surgery, they found the cancer had indeed spread to my lymph nodes, and that changed everything,” Sharon said. “It went from a lumpectomy and radiation to staying in the hospital overnight and starting chemotherapy. The type of radiation changed too.”
Because of the location of her cancer, Sharon was concerned that other organs like her heart and lungs could be exposed to radiation.
“At the time, my care team referred me to a doctor who was testing proton radiation therapy for left-sided breast cancer. It’s a more targeted type of therapy that would only hit the cancer, leaving the rest of my body more protected.”
Finding support after cancer
While Sharon was undergoing treatment, her oncologist, Dr. Sigrun Hallmeyer, told her about the Cancer Survivorship Center at Advocate Lutheran. The Center is the first stand-alone, hospital-affiliated survivorship center in Illinois. It provides comprehensive, holistic support for patients, family members and caregivers throughout their care. Sharon was initially hesitant.
“During treatment, I felt like I had a lot of support from my family, and I had a positive attitude. I didn’t want to be around other people who were undergoing treatment because I thought they may be ‘woe is me,’ and I didn’t want to feel down,” she shared. “I later learned that wasn’t the case at all, but I ended up waiting until after treatment to go to the Center.”
Her cancer treatment had resulted in weight gain and anemia. Sharon felt generally out of shape and decided to attend one of the Center’s exercise classes.
“I found that it was really supportive. When you talk to people who haven’t been through cancer, you don’t want to bring them down by talking about mortality. But being with people who understood what I’d been through was a different story. They could relate. And the instructor was so knowledgeable. It ended up being a very positive experience.”
The Cancer Survivorship Center offers a variety of classes, workshops and therapies that focus on the overall health and well-being of people during and after cancer treatment. Survivors can also get wigs at no cost because the Center is supported by philanthropy.
“What I’ve realized since my journey is that not everyone has access to a survivorship center like ours. Thankfully, many of its offerings are now virtual, which opens it up to more people across the country,” she said. “There are a lot of people who really struggle during their journey, and I hope they can participate and find support.”
Now Sharon is even more involved with the Center, speaking at various events and sharing her story. She’s on the committee for the Center’s More Than Medicine fundraising campaign. And she’s a mentor with the support organization After Breast Cancer Diagnosis (ABCD).
“The important thing to remember is just because treatment is over doesn’t mean you’re back to normal. You still need support, and that’s where the Center comes in. It’s such a valuable resource, and we’re fortunate to have it in our community.”
How you can help
The Cancer Survivorship Center at Advocate Lutheran General is supported by the generosity of donors. To help survivors like Sharon during and after cancer treatment, please make a gift today.