When
busy mom Cassandra Beasley
got the results from her breast biopsy in
fall 2013, “everything started moving
fast,” she says.
Within weeks of a stage II breast
cancer diagnosis, she had already had a
lumpectomy and two other procedures
to address the tumor and affected
lymph nodes.
The fast pace actually suited her get-it-
done approach to life’s challenges.
“After I got the diagnosis, I was
shocked, so I immediately went back to
the Women’s Imaging Center at Methodist
Charlton Medical Center, where I’d had
my biopsy,” Cassandra says. “I wanted to
know more. Right away, I was connected
with a nurse navigator.”
Vicki Hallum, RN, CBCN, spent the
next couple of hours talking with Cassandra.
“Vicki was wonderful,” Cassandra says.
“I’m sure she was busy, but she interrupted
her schedule to sit down with me and
answer my questions. She let me know
what to expect in the next few months.”
Armed with information, Cassandra
went into problem-solving mode.
“I said, ‘I’ve got a life to live — let’s get
started,’” she says.
Leaning on her support system
Cassandra’s positive outlook proved
helpful in the months following surgery.
In January, she began chemotherapy
treatments, accompanied by her
10
Methodist Charlton Medical Center
•
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Fall 2014
Taking care of
Cassandra Beasley acted fast against breast cancer
11-year-old daughter (her “little
treatment partner”).
Cassandra’s support group of family,
friends, and co-workers, as well as her
health care team at Texas Oncology –
Methodist Charlton Cancer Center, made
it easier for her to bear hair loss and the
challenges of managing treatment.
“I can’t believe how nice the staff is,”
Cassandra says. “When they say, ‘Call
anytime,’ they really mean it. They’re
thorough and take the time to make
sure you’re getting the care you need.”
Moving to a brighter beat
In June, Cassandra completed
radiation therapy.
“Cassandra’s radiation treatments were
only a few minutes a day for 6½ weeks,”
says Kesha Harris-Henderson, MD,
radiation oncologist at Methodist Charlton.
“She tolerated radiation treatment well.
She experienced only mild side effects
from her prior treatments and was able
to keep up with her busy lifestyle.”
That was good news for Cassandra,
since summer also marked her return
to one of her joys: Zumba®.
“One of the first questions I asked
after I was diagnosed was ‘How does
this affect my Zumba?’” she says,
laughing. “I was so ready to go back,
because it’s my dose of energy.”
Staying connected to enjoyable
activities as much as possible and
maintaining a normal routine are among
the top pieces of advice that Cassandra
has for other cancer patients.
Her other advice? Keep your
mammography appointment.
“Annual checkups and mammograms
may be uncomfortable, but that’s
nothing compared to what might
happen if you skip them or put them
off,” she says. “Early detection is easily
worth it.”
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