Mary's story

For Mary, a breast cancer diagnosis was not just a medical hurdle but a profound test of her spirit. As she navigated the trials of treatment and the triumphs of recovery, she emerged not only as a survivor but as an inspiration to others fighting battles of their own. 

Mary almost skipped her annual mammogram appointment in April of 2022 because, like so many people, she had a busy work schedule that day. The only reason she went was that she happened to have another appointment nearby.  

“It was Thursday at 5:20 PM when I got the call,” Mary recalls. “It wasn't from my doctor; it was from the imaging facility. I remember thinking, if it was bad, it would be my doctor. And I also thought no one would be calling me after hours with bad news. I was wrong. It was my radiologist. She simply stated, ‘You have invasive breast cancer.’”  

Her doctor then insisted Mary contact Victor Zannis, MD, at the HonorHealth Cancer Center, where she was seen quickly. 

“Dr. Zannis was amazing,” Mary said. “He immediately put me at ease because he was confident and compassionate. He told me that had I skipped my mammogram as I told him I almost did, the outcome may have been very different. He ran through all the scenarios, never letting me feel like I didn't have a choice.”  

She wasn’t scared the day of the surgery. She had written cards for her sons and attached them to bracelets. Dr. Zannis and Dr. Tamir Mousharrfa, her plastic surgeon, told her she could give them to the boys when she was out of surgery. No one was doing anything but getting back to healthy on this day.  

“Mary had a newer, more complex mastectomy procedure which used oncoplastic techniques that result in a much improved cosmetic outcome,” said Dr. Zannis. “Thanks to HonorHealth Foundation, these techniques are being taught to the younger surgeons in training. As a result, thousands of future patients will benefit from these new therapies that help mitigate the distress and suffering experienced by a woman having a mastectomy.” 

Throughout her journey, Mary had assigned Nurse Navigators to ensure her appointments were in the right order, provided valuable chemo education and assisted her with the overwhelming number of important decisions that had to be confirmed quickly. The Patient Navigators helped Mary address essential resources and supported her throughout her journey. 

Two years later, Mary is healthy. She shows no sign of residual cancer, but still needs monthly bloodwork and tests. And through it all, she continues to keep her face to the sun.  

And now that she has completed her treatment and is a survivor, she’s supporting others along their journey as a patient ambassador at the HonorHealth Cancer Center. Her objective: giving back in the same caring, compassionate way that she was given. 

Mary's story shines as a beacon of hope; a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is light to be found. Her journey is a powerful testament to the indomitable human spirit and the unyielding belief that life, even in its most challenging moments, is a gift worth fighting for! 

If you’ve recently been diagnosed with breast cancer, you likely have questions about what comes next. HonorHealth’s team of experts make treatments as easy as possible. Watch the video below to learn how they give patients strength for the fight.

If you would like to help HonorHealth patients fighting breast cancer, please use the form below to make a gift supporting HonorHealth Cancer Care, HonorHealth Research Institute's breast cancer initiative or another of the cancer-related support Funds. Thank you!