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Kaliope Parthemos
As Deputy Mayor of Economic and Neighborhood Development for Baltimore City, Kaliope reports directly to Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and advises the Mayor on all matters related to development projects, economic and business development strategies, planning, zoning, housing, transportation and special projects. After having just turned 40 and becoming the new Deputy Mayor, breast cancer was the last challenge she expected.
Kaliope has been receiving yearly mammograms since February 2005, at the age of 35 since Kaliope complained of pain in her left breast. Her doctor did not feel a lump, but since Kaliope's mother is a 2 time breast cancer survivor, first diagnosed at the age of 48, and her maternal cousin was diagnosed at 34, her doctor referred her for her first mammogram.
On November 11, 2010 Kaliope had a follow up diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound after her routine yearly mammogram in October noted calcifications. She had a core biopsy on November 29, 2010 which showed atypical ductal hyperplasia. After consulting with several breast cancer surgeons, Kaliope had a lumpectomy on January 6, 2011, which resulted in positive margins and a diagnosis of DCIS. A resulting MRI on January 17, 2010 showed 3 more masses. The resulting biopsy showed 2 were benign and 1 mass was Stage 1 invasive cancer. A re-excision of the margins was already scheduled from her first lumpectomy on February 2, 2011, so she scheduled her lumpectomy on the newly diagnosed cancer and a sentinel biopsy at the same time. The margins were again positive and the sentinel biopsy was inconclusive. A third surgery is scheduled for March 9, 2011 for a re-excission of the margins and an axillary node biopsy. Having 3 sisters, and Kaliope's mother's 2 time battle with breast cancer, Kaliope underwent genetic testing. She was negative for the BRAC1 and 2 gene. Kaliope is meeting with a medical oncologist and as of the writing of the bio on Februrary 24, 2011 she has not yet undergone her third surgery and is unsure of her treatment plans and options.
Kaliope is ready for the breast cancer challenge and has seen many women handle the challenge with strength, grace, dignity and a fierce determination to be cancer free. She expects to meet the challenge with the same show of strength and is ready for the journey, while maintaining her heavy workload as Deputy Mayor in addition to working on Mayor Rawlings-Blake re-election campaign. Kaliope wants to stress the importance of yearly mammograms and early detection. Kaliope has been deeply humbled by the level of support, concern and love from her family, friends and professionals.
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