© 2008-2010 Dr. Glynn Bolitho, M.D.
An awareness and knowledge of breast cancer led Ann Shanahan-Walsh to follow the proper diagnostic steps when her primary physician first discovered a lump in her breast despite a negative mammogram. Now, during Breast Cancer Awareness month, she's encouraging other women to do the same, even though the ensuing odyssey she found herself on was one she could never have imagined.
Making others aware of breast cancer and its diagnosis and prevention, she says, can help level the field somewhat in the ongoing battle against this number one cause of death among women. What happened to her once she was diagnosed and treated was indeed unfortunate and tragic, and greatly impacted her life. But for those who believe it only happens to others, it also illustrates one individual's plight involving an unfortunate set of circumstances, a prescribed course of treatment, how a situation can go terribly wrong, and how it can then be corrected to provide a patient, in this case, with a happy ending to a sad story. That's what Shanahan-Walsh wants other women to know and understand about her experience with breast cancer.
After meeting with Dr. Bolitho, patient Ann Shanahan-Walsh was immediately impressed with his gentle manner and genuine concern for her ordeal and her well-being.
After discovering the lump, her physician ordered a sonogram, which picked up a tumor in her left breast. She then had a biopsy done which confirmed a 3cm cancerous tumor that was slowly invading the surrounding breast tissue. Her physician recommended a modified radical mastectomy on the left breast, in which the entire breast, including the nipple, nearby lymph glands, and the tumor, are removed. He recommended a simple mastectomy for the right breast, in which the entire breast and nipple is removed. The surgeon removed 17 lymph nodes from her left breast, chest and arm, all of which turned out negative.
A month after her surgery, Ann began a 14-week cycle of chemotherapy treatment, which had a devastating effect on her liver enzymes, and caused memory loss and balance problems. Several months later, in August of 1999, she underwent her first reconstructive surgery with silicone breast implants. By January of 2000, it became apparent to Shanahan-Walsh that the reconstructive procedure was unsuccessful and the implants were physically and cosmetically ineffective. She petitioned her insurance company to have them replaced, which they were, using a different style with a higher profile. Two months later, however, a tear appeared in the supporting tissue, growing from the size of a pinhead to the size of a quarter, and she could feel the implant, which became hard to the touch, directly under her skin.
When her HMO provider changed affiliation, she had her choice of consulting with three plastic and reconstructive surgeons. After rejecting the first two, she met with Dr. Glynn Bolitho, who impressed her immediately with his gentle manner and genuine concern for her ordeal and her well-being. Bolitho performed an exam and recommended immediate surgery to correct the right implant. Other surgeons she had consulted with had adopted a wait-and-see approach, with which she was uncomfortable.
Dr. Bolitho performed a "textbook" latisimus dorsi flap procedure to correct the previous two attempts. It took six hours because it required delicate and skillful microsurgery in order to move the muscle and blood supply from her back to her chest. Dr. Bolitho was successful with the operation, and now Ann has the proper symmetry and volume for her body. She couldn't be happier with the result.
Despite enduring years of struggle and uncertainty, Ann believes it was her knowledge, her inquiring mind, and her mental toughness that got her through her ordeal. "I researched, I asked a lot of questions, and I never stopped believing in my body's ability to fight back." She hopes that others will follow her lead.
© 2008-2010 Dr. Glynn Bolitho, M.D.
