For Love of Life, For Lives We Love

Janyce was diagnosed with breast cancer a year and a half ago. Since then, she has undergone chemotherapy, radiation, a mastectomy, reconstruction surgery and an entire year of IV infusion treatments. And while Janyce still faces five years of hormonal therapy, she's cancer free and says love has seen her through it.

When Janyce felt the lump, she got a bad feeling. It had been two years since her last mammogram; she wasn't due for another year! But still, there it was.

Janyce always considered herself a poster child for problematic mammograms. If something could go wrong, it usually did. Years earlier, Janyce sought to be tested for the breast cancer gene mutation (BRCA) associated with an increased risk of breast cancer and potentially ovarian cancer, but her insurance didn't cover the test, and it was costly - $5,000. With a family history of breast cancer (her...

"Most of all, I didn't want my children to think I was going to die!"

I had always done periodic breast self-exams and it was during one of those times that I thought I felt 'something'. Several days later, there it was again - same spot and it didn't move. I made an appointment and my worse suspicions were confirmed. It was my first mammogram - and I was diagnosed with breast cancer.

I was referred to Dr. Kathleen Minnick, a breast surgeon, who I truly believe was here for me - to help me through this time in my life (Dr. Minnick has since left the area). She was awesome and I am grateful that we had a specialist in the field. Even though Dr. Minnick had cautioned me that in rare instances a second surgery is needed, I was totally unprepared for that call. It was worse than learning I had breast cancer, but with the help of the Griffin...

Six months ago, Jeanette Robinson didn't know the Cancer Center existed… today, she says it feels like a second home!

It was during a routine exam that something was detected on Jeannette's right breast and during follow-up that the beginning stages of breast cancer was detected in the left. "Fortunately," says Jeanette, "it was the 'good cancer' non-aggressive!" And while she says she cried for a week, today everything seems to be going well.

"I'm so glad I wound up at Griffin Hospital. This place is a God- send and I'm so glad they built it. Going to New Haven would have been an hour each way and since I didn't qualify for their new procedure, I was able to come here. Every day for 10 weeks. It feels like a second home. Everyone is welcoming, they answer all your questions, and they give you all the information...