A C A U S E C L O S E T O H O M E
In 2011, Suzanne was diagnosed
with breast cancer after a routine
mammogram detected a small
lump in her right breast. Her
general physician referred her
to Kootenai Clinic’s Cancer Ser-
vices for treatment. Suzanne had a
lumpectomy followed by a type of
targeted radiation therapy called
MammoSite, a procedure in which
high-intensity radiation is delivered
through a small wire directly to the
tumor bed using a small balloon-
like device that’s temporarily
inserted into the body.
“It was so fast and effective,”
she said. “I feel very blessed to
have been able to receive this type
of treatment; not everyone is a
candidate.”
Instead of the five to seven weeks
that are typically required for
external forms of radiation therapy,
MammoSite therapy is delivered in
10 short, 5- to 10-minute treat-
ments, over a period of five days.
“We are able to shorten the time
frame by treating a smaller area
instead of radiating the entire
breast,” explained Jon Griffith,
M.D., a radiation oncologist who
practices in northern Idaho and
Spokane.
Dr. Griffith said a woman’s eligi-
bility for MammoSite depends on
her tumor’s size, stage and biologi-
cal makeup, as well as her age and
breast anatomy. For example, a
post-menopausal woman with an
early-stage, 2-centimeter tumor
that has not spread to lymph nodes
could potentially be considered
a candidate for the treatment,
according to medical society
guidelines.
Suzanne, 66, has been cancer-
free for three-and-a-half years. The
grandmother of five credits her
strong recovery to her Christian
faith, support from her family and
the exceptional care she received
at Kootenai.
“My experience at Kootenai
Health was excellent,” she said. “I
can’t say enough about my doc-
tors and nurses who took care of
me both in the hospital and at the
clinic where I received radiation.
They were fantastic.”
C O W G I R L C O U R A G E
Suzanne is a breast cancer sur-
vivor, and now she wants to help
others face their fight with the
disease. She said participating in
the Chicks n Chaps event—which
draws local breast cancer patients,
survivors and their supporters—is
one way she can do that.
Proceeds from the event go to
help local breast cancer patients
through the Kootenai Health
Foundation Cancer Patient Support
Fund, and to the Fair Foundation,
which supports many local proj-
ects, including providing college
scholarships to graduating seniors.
“I think being involved as a
survivor gives other women who
are fighting cancer courage.
They see me, someone who has
been through what they’re going
through, and they think, ‘If she
can do it, so can I,’” Suzanne
said. “I just want them to know if
they need to talk to someone—a
survivor—I’m here, and I can give
them hope, understanding and
compassion.”
This year Suzanne dusted off her
cowgirl skills and returned to the
Chicks n Chaps event.
“It’s such a wonderful fundraiser,”
she said. “These days, I think
everyone knows someone who
has cancer. It’s really neat to see
all these women come together
to support those who are going
through it here in our community.”
F O R M O R E
I N F O R M A T I O N
To learn more about Cancer
Services at Kootenai, call
(208)
625-4700
or visit
KH.org/cancer
.
KH . ORG
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