In the heart of the holiday season, Cathy McQueen of Asbury Park, New Jersey, reflects on the extraordinary journey that transformed her life from the brink of a health scare to a celebration of a cancer-free Christmas in 2023.
On the eve of Christmas 2022, Cathy, aged 51, had a scheduled appointment with Dr. Roshani Patel at Jersey Shore University Medical Center. What was supposed to be a routine removal of a benign cyst turned into a life-altering discovery. Cathy, proactive about her health, pointed out an unusual dimple on her right breast during a self-check. Dr. Patel, recognizing the urgency, conducted an immediate ultrasound, revealing a mass that raised serious concerns.
“I knew during the ultrasound that we needed to act immediately,” shared Dr. Patel, the Medical Director of Breast Surgery at JSUMC. The alarming changes in Cathy’s breast tissue indicated not only the potential malignancy but also the rapid progression of the aggressive cancer.
Despite the holiday season, Dr. Patel swiftly arranged for a mammogram ultrasound and an ultrasound-guided biopsy at University Radiology. The results confirmed Dr. Patel’s intuition, revealing an aggressive form of breast cancer. Cathy wasted no time and, with resolute determination, opted for a double mastectomy due to a family history of breast cancer. Dr. Patel performed the surgery within a month of the initial discovery.
“I could tell right away that Dr. Patel had a sense of urgency, thank God,” expressed Cathy, acknowledging the crucial role played by her doctor in the timely response to the situation.
Supported by her husband, Doug, and fortified by years of mental preparation and discussions with friends, Cathy faced the whirlwind of decisions. The quick actions of testing, diagnosis, and surgery prevented the aggressive cancer from spreading further.
Fast-forward to Christmas 2023, Cathy’s life took a transformative turn. Embracing healthier lifestyle choices, including walking, swimming, and following Dr. Patel’s nutrition tips, she lost 27 pounds. After chemotherapy and radiation treatments, Cathy received the news she had longed for — being declared “cancer-free” in October 2023, just 10 months after the initial diagnosis.
In a poignant moment captured by Asbury Park Press writer Jerry Carino, Cathy even embarked on a personal tour of her local ShopRite with Dr. Patel, exploring holistic and preventive nutrition guidance.
“As crazy as it sounds, cancer saved my life,” Cathy reflected. “I was on a bad path of not taking care of myself, and I know I have to take care of my body… It’s just my way of life now. It’s how I’m living, and it’s who I am.”
This Christmas, Cathy joyfully embraces the holiday season with a clean bill of health, free from the specter of cancer that loomed over the previous year. Ready to welcome 2024, Cathy exudes happiness, stress-free living, and a newfound perspective on life, embodying the spirit of resilience, hope, and gratitude.
