Patient Stories
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Debby Madiraca: Every Day Is a Gift
I was 34 years old and seven-and-a-half months pregnant when I felt a lump in my breast. It was the week before my baby shower. At first I thought, “My body is changing so much because of my pregnancy, it’s probably nothing,” but I figured I would just mention it to my doctor at my next prenatal appointment. -
Dona Halter: "Back to Normal" After Colon Cancer
My husband Pete is my rock. He’s a Sheriff’s Officer in Salem, NJ, and I work for a company that manufactures mechanical seals. Together Pete and I have two wonderful children — both teenagers. -
Ilene: Cancer Genetic Testing Saved My Life
Ilene, the eldest of three sisters, was devastated. Her middle sister, Laura, had recently been diagnosed with breast cancer at age 44. The family, already very close, became even closer as they supported Laura through her treatment and recovery. -
Sheri Umscheid: I Put My Trust in MD Anderson at Cooper and I’m Cancer Free
When Sheri was diagnosed with uterine (endometrial) cancer she put her trust in Dr. Robin Wilson Smith, a gynecologic oncologist at MD Anderson at Cooper. Four years later, after robotic surgery and aggressive chemotherapy, Sheri is cancer free and looking forward to a happy and healthy retirement.
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Kristin's Story: A Second Opinion Saved My Life
After Kristin was diagnosed with a lung nodule, she wasn't comfortable with the "wait and see" advice she received, so she sought a second opinion at MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper. "I never experienced that kind of care before," she said. "They took me seriously."