This year has been unlike any other for Sasha Fogle.
Fogle, 43, had always taken her routine mammograms seriously, particularly since her mother had breast cancer. When she went for her annual screening this past February, doctors noticed something unusual. A repeat mammogram and a biopsy in March confirmed Fogle’s own breast cancer diagnosis. In April, she discovered it was triple negative carcinoma, an especially aggressive form of the disease.
“I felt shock. I felt disbelief. I felt fear,” Fogle says. “I was a little overwhelmed. I’m always working and taking care of my family, so I was trying to predict what was going to happen in the future. Mostly, it felt like I was spinning. It wasn’t until I met with my oncologist and developed my treatment plan that I started to feel much more grounded and better about moving forward.”
Fogle is still in treatment. She completed her chemotherapy regimen in September. She’ll have surgery within the next month, followed by radiation.
The Importance of Early Detection
“The type of cancer I was diagnosed with is the most common type of breast cancer, but because mine is triple negative, things are a little more intense,” she says. “A lot of people with this type aren’t diagnosed until it has spread to other parts of the body. Because I was vigilant about my screenings, we caught it before that happened.”
As she processed her diagnosis and thought about her treatment options, the team at Our Lady of Lourdes JD Moncus Cancer Center immediately stood out for their responsiveness and willingness to spend time answering her questions. They provided education and resources. She trusted their oncologists and medical expertise, and the personalized attention made her feel like she was truly being cared for.
“I felt like the people at Lourdes were the most open to educating me about what this process would look like and empowering me to make decisions about my care,” she says. “I’ve utilized almost all of the Lourdes services during this process. From the schedulers and finance people all the way to the nurses and others engaged in direct patient care, everyone was very positive and helpful. They checked on me often. I could not ask for a better medical team during a difficult and confusing time where you have to get up to speed very quickly.”
Advanced, Individualized Cancer Treatment
Sweekriti Adhikari, MD, who specializes in hematology oncology at Our Lady of Lourdes JD Moncus Cancer Center, said that from a clinical perspective, the care in Lafayette aligns with that provided in other cities. This includes targeted therapies that can more directly address a patient’s specific cancer type, plus the latest advanced technology in the use of hormone blockers, surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Each patient works with doctors, physician assistants, nurses, nurse practitioners and others, all of whom follow an individualized plan for that person’s care.
“We all work as a team, which I think sets us apart. Sometimes, a nurse catches something unusual or a patient mentions something to them, and they relay that to the doctors so we can address it,” Dr. Adhikari says. “I’m proud that we have so much supportive care to help people on their journeys. We have a nutritionist. We have nurse navigators. We have people who can help patients access resources, even if that is financial assistance or help getting to their treatment sessions. Everyone tries to help with every aspect of a patient’s life as much as possible.”
In addition, Dr. Adhikari says patients are encouraged to communicate with their care team often, especially if they have concerns about their treatment or experience severe side effects.
“We always try to work through things and find a solution,” she says. “Sometimes, another option is better, or maybe they need a break for a little bit. I can’t emphasize enough how important communication is. Some people try to tough it out or don’t come to their appointments because they are afraid or have concerns. We’re here to answer their questions and support them through both their treatment and follow-up care.”
The Power of Humor in Healing
While the last several months have been daunting, Fogle has approached it with a bit of humor. As a clinical psychologist, she understands the impact a positive outlook and a tad of silliness can have on a person’s overall well-being.
“Getting a diagnosis of cancer is very serious. But, I’ve found that humor really helps me to move through some of those more serious moments that I can’t control,” she says. “I’ve learned to draw my eyebrows on like a champion. We can enjoy those small wins and find a way to laugh through it, or we can let ourselves get dragged down into some of the more depressing aspects of it. For me, that humor and light around a heavy diagnosis has been essential in managing my physical and mental health through this process.”
Prioritize Your Health
Fogle is also on a mission to encourage other women to receive annual mammograms, especially since breast cancer can affect women of any age. Dr. Adhikari said she has treated patients from their 20s all the way into their late 80s.
“I think the fact this was found early through a routine screening will help make a difference in my prognosis,” Fogle says. “We as women tend to take on a lot of roles and spread ourselves thin. When something must be delayed or removed from our full plates, it’s usually our own care. It’s important that we prioritize our health to make sure we are functioning as best we can. One of the things this process has taught me is that it’s essential to prioritize my own health so that I can continue to help others in a way that is important to me.”
About 1 in 8 U.S. women will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of their lives. Make a commitment to yourself by scheduling annual mammograms. Early detection is key, so those 15 minutes may just save your life.
