Tina Labatut, RN, BSN, OCN, began her journey with breast cancer just before Christmas 2022.
As the director of operations for Our Lady of the Lake Physician Group at LSU Health, overseeing multiple clinics and departments, Tina’s schedule was already demanding, but she took her health seriously. Just days after a routine breast exam during her annual well-woman visit showed everything was fine, she unexpectedly discovered a lump while showering.
“It was like a huge rock in my breast,” Tina recalls. “I immediately knew something wasn’t right.”
Quick Action and Expert Care
Within days, Tina’s colleagues at Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Institute stepped in to help.
“Everything happened super quickly,” Tina says. After an ultrasound and biopsy, her doctors confirmed she had triple-negative breast cancer, an aggressive, invasive type.
“It all happened so fast, and I was so lucky to have our doctors taking care of me,” Tina says. “They knew exactly what to do.”
Guided by Marshall Stagg, MD, and Sobia Ozair, MD, Tina’s treatment journey included six months of chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. Despite the physical toll, she never missed a day of work.
“I kept going, even when I had to measure the steps from my car to where I needed to be,” she says. Her commitment and resilience are clear: “It was a journey. I’ve been through everything at this point.”
Finding Strength Through Adversity
The road wasn’t easy. Tina describes losing her hair just two weeks into treatment.
“It was very dramatic. My hair was long, blonde and curly, and overnight it just started falling out,” she says. “I had a wig ready, and nobody even knew I was sick.”
Through it all, Tina maintained a positive outlook. “You have to take it one day at a time,” she says.
Now finished with her treatments, Tina is thankful for the exceptional care she received.
“The infusion clinic nurses were phenomenal,” she says. “The care I got at Our Lady of the Lake was just amazing — they went above and beyond to accommodate my schedule.” Tina continues to work with the same energy and dedication, managing her busy responsibilities.
A Message of Hope and Resilience
Tina’s message to others is clear: “Pay attention to your body. Do your breast exams, and don’t delay screenings. As hard as the road might be, you have to stay positive. You can’t let the negativity take over, or it will suck you in.”
As a proud wife, mother of two daughters (Madison, a nursing student, and Mallory, a dental hygienist), and passionate fisher, Tina continues to inspire those around her.
“I’m just grateful to be here, to be able to keep working, to live my life and to be there for my family,” she says with a smile.
Tina is being honored as one of Our Lady of the Lake’s Geaux Heroes, recognizing her incredible story of strength and resilience. She’ll be honored on the field of Tiger Stadium during the LSU football game against Ole Miss on Oct. 12.
