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Nancy A. Scipioni
Being healthy and having a healthy lifestyle has been a lifelong goal for me. As my internist often tells me " you have good health practices...it will make a difference".I have always been active. Gymnastics, cheerleading, exercise, running and playing with my dogs is what I like to do. For five years I was a Health Educator in the Baltimore City school system.
When I changed careers at 28 to become radiologic technologist and certified mammographer, I had no idea what impact this change would have on my life. For 23 years I have worked for Advanced Radiology performing mammograms and breast biopsies. When I came to the GBMC Pavilion office in 2000, my job became more meaningful. It is such an honor to work with a team of radiologists, technologists, breast surgeons and staff who are all dedicated to saving lives and fighting breast cancer. I have often thought that if I ever got breast cancer I knew I was in the right place to get the best care possible.
2010 started off with blizzards and an unexpected breast cancer diagnosis for me. What happened to those good health practices? I had cancer. With the guidance of the radiologists with whom I worked for years...I chose my team of doctors who would care of me. I had a lumpectomy...but as "triple negative"....with one positive node I needed the dreaded chemotherapy. For weeks I cried...picturing myself bald. I did not want to look like Sinead O’Connor. I feared being sick and not being able to work. A cancer survivor told me that cancer was like a cold ...you treat it and move on. After that and being reminded of the 23rd Psalm, the warrior in me kicked in and I was ready for chemo. Along with Dr. Robert Donegan, the Oncology Support staff, my team of excellent and caring treatment nurses, and with the love, support and encouragement from my family, friends and coworkers who knew me best I made it through each day and each treatment. I began radiation feeling alone...like a lost puppy. Starting radiation at the same time, I bonded with Mardel " my warrior sister" whose smile, hugs and energy got me through. Having our port-a-caths removed 2 days apart Mardel and I celebrated the end of a year of treatments and a sense of freedom by ringing the bell together in the Healing Garden at GBMC. What a special moment.
I hated having breast cancer...but it has given my life a purpose and meaning for which I had been searching for years. I will always cherish the people and opportunities breast cancer has brought to me. I look forward to what the future will bring me.
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