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Dr. Kathleen Shadle, a radiation oncologist at the Willowbrook Methodist Hospital in Houston, treats some breast cancer patients with radiation therapy.
Dr. Kathleen Shadle, a radiation oncologist at the Willowbrook Methodist Hospital in Houston, treats some breast cancer patients with radiation therapy.
Photo: Courtesy photos / Courtesy photos
Dr. Kathleen Shadle, a radiation oncologist at the Willowbrook Methodist Hospital in Houston, treats some breast cancer patients with radiation therapy.
Dr. Kathleen Shadle, a radiation oncologist at the Willowbrook Methodist Hospital in Houston, treats some breast cancer patients with radiation therapy.
Photo: Courtesy photos / Courtesy photos
A routine mammogram for Carol Lazo has turned into an almost long ordeal.
Last October, doctors at Houston's Houston Methodist Breast Care Center in Willowbrook discovered two small tumors that were found to be a type of fast-growing breast cancer.
Lazo, 66, was in shock. Both of her parents lived to be 90 years old and were in good health, she says. She does not expect to have cancer.
"I thought (the tumors) were benign, and the doctor looked at me strangely when I said I had no questions at first," Lazo said.
But, after confirming the disease by biopsy, Lazo began treatment. She underwent surgery to remove the tumors and then recovered after her doctors reconstructed her breast.
The next step was chemotherapy, which consisted of a treatment of several months. Lazo said that she remained positive anyway – partly because her doctor had found a version that did not make her lose hair and did not often feel sick.
"I have tried to continue my life as usual and to surround myself with family and friends," Lazo said.
Her chemotherapy ended in May and she quickly began the final phase of her treatment – radiation therapy – the following month.
There, she met with Dr. Kathleen Shadle, a radiation oncologist who cares for many cancer patients, including those at the Breast Care Center.
"(Radiation Oncology) uses X-rays to treat cancer cells. These are stronger and have a lot more penetration, "said Shadle.
X-rays are delivered by a machine called a linear accelerator. It can be used to treat many cancers, but it is considered a standard care line for a patient with breast cancer like Lazo.
"Most people do pretty well with radiation therapy. Some women will have red areas, such as sunburn, that skin, but there is not much pain or discomfort associated with that, "said Shadle.
Lazo said that in the beginning, she was alarmed by the fact that the treatments would be daily: five days a week for about four weeks. Yet she seemed to have a good experience despite the many trips to the doctor.
"(Dr. Shadle) was fantastic and very down-to-earth. She always listened to everything I had to say and her team was accurate, accommodating and friendly, "Lazo said.
Lazo also said that even though the process was methodical, she felt nothing as the radiation targeted the cancer cells still in her womb.
Lazo is in good health and does not suffer from cancer, but she urges her friends to have regular mammography so that any problem can be resolved in time.
"Many people are so scared when they learn that they have cancer, but now you can defeat it. Get a good friend, get a good lawyer. You can certainly come out a winner, "said Lazo.
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