Quick, Comprehensive Treatment Helps Alma Woman Fight Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer Survivor
"I had the utmost confidence with my cancer team who provided me with necessary knowledge about the disease."
Heidi Kolb, 58, has cancer in her family and recently lost her mother to ovarian, stomach and colon cancer. When she noticed a pea-sized lump during her monthly self-breast exam, she didn’t hesitate to have it checked out.
Michelle Nelson, M.D., primary care provider for Kolb, ordered an ultrasound. After additional testing, Kolb was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer. She and her care team moved forward quickly with chemotherapy, surgery and radiation, as early detection and treatment of breast cancer most often yields the best results. Now, Kolb is doing well and credits staff at MyMichigan Medical Center Alma for helping her stay informed and positive throughout her cancer journey.
After Kolb’s ultrasound came back suspicious, a biopsy and additional mammogram were performed and resulted in a positive diagnosis. Medical Oncologist/Hematologist Mohamed Akkad, M.D., discussed treatment options with Kolb.
“I had the utmost confidence with my cancer team who provided me with necessary knowledge about the disease in terms that I could understand and in a caring manner,” Kolb stated. “I had already established a patient/doctor relationship with Dr. Akkad prior to my cancer diagnosis, so I felt comfortable with him. My husband and I also met with an oncology nurse, Stacy, who gave us background information on what would occur, answered all our questions, and took us on a tour of the Cancer Center. We were also connected with Breast Health Nurse Navigator Melissa Hoag, R.N., O.C.N., C.N.-B.N. We knew we had a strong team in our corner.”
Hoag presented Kolb with a Breast Cancer Treatment Handbook. Kolb shared that the handbook answered many of her questions and was an excellent resource to prepare her for what was ahead. “Melissa also kept in close contact by checking in with me over the phone, and I was able to call her to ask questions,” she shared.
Kolb had a port inserted that administered her chemotherapy treatments without needle sticks each time. Chemotherapy helps shrink tumors by destroying cancer cells. She received chemotherapy for four months at the Infusion Center in Alma before surgery. “My chemotherapy nurses, Shelby and Maren, were amazing,” said Kolb. “They treated all of their patients with kindness and compassion. I actually looked forward to seeing them from December 2022 through March 2023.”
Jeffrey Bonancci, M.D., performed a lumpectomy after Kolb completed chemotherapy “I was extremely comfortable with his skills as a surgeon and with his professional demeanor. My lumpectomy surgery occurred in April of 2023 at MyMichigan Medical Center Alma. The tumor was removed, as well as eight lymph nodes. There were no traces of cancer!” Kolb said.
The final stage in Kolb’s treatment involved radiation with Radiation Oncologist Mark Fireman, M.D., who has been treating patients for more than 30 years.
“He was extremely knowledgeable and answered all of my questions,” said Kolb. “His staff was phenomenal; nurse Dawn and the radiation therapists, Carrie and Chris, were always pleasant with welcoming smiles on their faces. I was pleased to see them each day and thankful that MyMichigan Health Radiation Oncology was near my home. Since the radiation treatments didn't take long, I'm glad I didn't have far to drive every day.”
Kolb has completed all her treatments and, as of July 2023, has received her cancer survivorship care plan. She will continue with appointments to see both her oncologist and radiation oncologist for checkups. She also underwent genetic counseling and testing in order to be proactive and prepared should another issue present itself.
“Receiving treatment for cancer from MyMichigan Health Cancer Center in Alma exceeded my expectations. Everyone I met along my cancer journey was very professional, kind, and caring,” Kolb said. “As scary as cancer and its treatments can be, I looked forward to seeing each member of my care team. The wealth of knowledge they shared in a compassionate manner made me feel at ease.”
“Another tremendous asset, besides the remarkable staff, was having the MyMichigan Health facilities close to home,” she added. “Being able to have family members or myself drive to treatments was not an inconvenience due to distance. It was a blessing to be able to return home after each treatment with a short drive. I could not have imagined any better care. Their compassion, dedication, and professionalism were exemplary!” What a gem we have in this community I call home.”
Those interested in more information on cancer care at MyMichigan Medical Center Alma may visit www.mymichigan.org/cancer or call (989) 463-9307.
