At 50, I got a Harley. At 60, I kicked cancer's ass. I can't wait to see what I do at 70.

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Janice Jastrzebski (center) in the photo booth at DKH's 2014 Cancer Survivorship Day, with her oncology nurse Sharon (top right), other members of her cancer care team, and family.

Hi, I'm Janice Jastrzebski and I am a cancer survivor.

Sixteen months ago (April 2013) I went to my family doctor (Dr. Balachandran) for a cough. Seasonal allergies that I've had for 50 years. But this time, I told him my boob started hurting three days earlier. He said it's probably nothing but let's get it checked.

Four days later, I'm at Day Kimball Hospital having a mammogram and ultrasound. The doctor has concerns and calls my doctor. The next day (May 3) I'm having a biopsy. But I'm still not worried because growing up we were told, "If it hurts, it's not cancer. That's how cancer sneaks up on you."

The following week (May 10) my husband and I meet with our doctor to go over the results. 

He comes in, shutting the door behind him. He looks at me and says, "it's not good news. You have cancer." I look right back at him and say, "What's the next step?" To this day, every time I see him, he just shakes his head. That's not the reaction he was expecting with that kind of news. But that is how I've handled this from day one.

He recommended Dr. Baum. It was 6:00 Friday. I told him I had calls to make and I'd call him back on Monday morning. On the way home, we stopped at my aunt's to get my cousin's phone number. He had lymphoma three years earlier. He had Dr. Baum, and so did his fiancee for breast cancer. Everyone I spoke with over the weekend spoke highly of him.

So on Monday morning, I called my doctor's office and asked "Where do we start?" They gave me the phone number to Theresa, the nurse navigator. She set our journey in motion.

Theresa set up my appointment with the oncologist for the next day (May 14) and the surgeon the day after that (Wednesday the 15th). She also put me in touch with Theresa Brodeau in the Financial Counseling Department at the Hospital to find out if I was eligible for financial assistance from the Deary Fund. I was told to go do what I needed to have done. Not to worry about anything. We'll deal with finances later. The Deary Fund is a Godsend. We have insurance but have a $4000 deductible every year. We would be in the hole for $8000 if it weren't for the Deary Fund and all the help they give to local cancer patients.

Theresa also asked if we would like her to come in on our meeting with the oncologist to take notes. After the first ten minutes, it's so overwhelming, the brain can't retain all the information. So we said yes.

Oncology Medical Assistant Scott Clohecy, in the "I got your back" scrubs shirt Janice made for him.

On the way to the room, we're following this big guy, the medical assistant. I asked him if he had my back. He said "sure I do." And Scott has had my back from the beginning. I knew I was in good hands and was going to be alright.

So we had our meeting with Dr. Dulala, going over everything about my cancer. Finding out it was Stage 3, Her2 gene positive and estrogen positive. Already into my lymph nodes. Fast growing. We went over the treatment plan, every step, from chemo to surgery to radiation to 52 weeks of hormone therapy. Theresa took wonderful notes. I still have them. The last thing she wrote - "aggressive approach with goal to cure."

She navigated our journey, printing out all the information for us about the treatments and procedures, the chemo meds, side effects, any tests that I would have throughout this journey. She's done a wonderful job. I didn't go on the internet at all.

Then on Wednesday (May 15) we meet with Dr. Baum. My husband and I told him we planned on getting another opinion at Dana Farber. He sat with us and explained all the options I had, that the cancers I have, chemo can kill it. He explained we would get the same medication and treatment anywhere we chose to go, and how he wanted DKH to be the place the locals come to instead of traveling 77 miles one way. I fell in love with him and knew instantly what our decision would be. We asked him to give us a couple minutes. He left the room so I could get dressed. When he came back in, I asked what he was doing on Friday. He asked, "no pressure?" I said no. He said, "Let me see if I can get a room."

So in 7 days, I went from finding out I had Stage 3 breast cancer to having a modified radical mastectomy. There was no stopping this journey. I came home the next day with a drain in my chest and was back working on Monday. I had boarding passes printed out and handed them to everyone. On this journey, I wanted all the positive energy out there I could get. A week before my chemo started, my family got together and we shaved heads. It was the one thing I could control, when I was going to lose my hair. And I stayed bald for 8 months.

June 14 was my first chemo treatment. My nurse Sharon, by hand pushed Adrenamycin (the red devil) into me to kill any cancer cells that could be floating around in me. This was a once in a lifetime drug. Sharon did all my chemo treatments for five months, plus 52 weeks of Herceptin. Plus I had six weeks of radiation at Backus Hospital every day,Monday through Friday.

I can honestly say I was never sick one day. Allergic reactions, yes. But no vomiting like you always heard went with cancer and chemo. They've come a long way with treatment. Last week on the Today Show, they announced that we have reached the highest cancer survivor rate ever.

It was a roller coaster ride on my blood work, which sometimes didn't want to come out of my port. But hugs from Scott always seemed to do the trick.

Janice and Patricia Holland-Caprera, Director of Hematology/Oncology, releasing butterflies at DKH's 2014 Cancer Survivorship Day.

I always knew I was going to be okay. I honestly never had a doubt. I never asked, "why me?" I was glad it was me and not my daughter or daughter-in-law. I believe attitude is everything. And after all, I had an awesome team...Dr. Kapur, who said to me once, he gets charged up every time he sees me. Dr. Baum, my nurse Sharon, who has shown me comfort and patience, compassion for her job, answered any questions I had, about anything. Scott, who always had my back.

Also Tricia, Theresa, Jane, Ann Marie, Sue, Denise, Leonna, Lisa, Lauren, Cynthia, Eileen, and Arlene in the Hematology/Oncology Department, and also Kate, Jeannine and Dr. Dulala who aren't at the Hospital any more. But all of you have been on this remarkable journey with me. 

I've heard the word "inspiration" used when referring to me. But I am the one who's inspired... By all of you and what you bring to DKH. Now, I am making a difference. I have a bigger family, and lifetime friendships. I also have several breast friends who are survivors like me.

I am here today, all tests are normal. Now when I hug, it's heart to heart, no boob gets in the way.

Just remember...Attitude is everything.

When I turned 50, I got my motorcycle license...My husband bought me a Harley.

When I turned 60 last January, I kicked cancer' s ass.

I can't wait to see what I'll do when I turn 70.

We all have a story to tell. Thanks for listening to mine.

Read more from Janice: 

A Letter to Cancer, at the End of My Battle 
This Mother’s Day Janice Jastrzebski Marks Two Years of “Kicking Cancer’s Ass” with Striking Mastectomy Photos 

 

Related Resources

Cancer Care Services 
Cancer Risk Prevention/Genetic Testing 
Support Groups 
Deary Memorial Cancer Fund