My name is Tracy. I first visited the Breast and GYN Cancer Pavilion in November 2020. My story began when I was referred to Dr. Hailey, one of the breast specialists at Woman’s, after feeling a mass in my breast. I had a biopsy done at the end of October 2020. That is when I was first diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma, a form of breast cancer. I just turned 30 years old. It was a diagnosis that immediately changed my life.

Honestly, I was in denial for a few days after diagnosis. I thought to myself how can I continue being a wife and mother to my two wonderful children while getting through this? In addition to the diagnosis, I was also in my second trimester of pregnancy and starting treatment right away due to the aggressiveness of the cancer. Dr. Spell, Dr. Moore, Dr. Boudreaux, and Dr. Hailey were a part of my team that worked to make sure I received the best standard of care and had a plan for both the pregnancy and the diagnosis. It was an overwhelming experience in the beginning but to my surprise it worked out. I was able to receive all of my care in one place which really made it easier for me to make all appointments and coordinate them when they may have fallen on the same days.

I recently delivered my daughter at the beginning of April. I see her as a blessing, she gave mommy a reason to fight with everything in her.

I am currently still receiving care at the Pavilion for my breast cancer. It’s like I’ve gained another family. A cancer diagnosis is scary and isolating within itself but knowing that you will receive the best care possible to give you a fighting chance makes all the difference. I would like to advise any Woman that is going through a diagnosis of Cancer to choose the Breast and GYN Cancer Pavilion. The staff is so welcoming and caring, you will meet amazing women and hear other their stories if you are willing to listen. You are treated like a person and not just a cancer patient. Although I still have a long road to go down, I know that I’m in the right place receiving my care. 

The Breast & GYN Cancer Pavilion is a partnership between Woman’s Hospital and Mary Bird Perkins – Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Center.