Thank you Criolla!

Moderators

It will be almost two years since we launched the Breastcancer.org
discussion forums in Spanish and our community continues to grow. To
celebrate, we want to thank one of our first members, Criolla, who from
the beginning selflessly has offered her support, expertise and advice
to dozens of members in forums for information and comfort, or about
treatment, recovery, side effects, etc. Read here the inspiring story of
Criolla, who has kindly given us to permission to publish in the
Community, and thus encourage those with concerns to participate and
also share your journey with us. Thanks Criolla!

Criolla's Story in English:

My “new
life” started with a sharp pain that sometimes I had in one of my breasts. I told
my doctor and she sent me for my first mammogram and ultrasound. I was young
with no family history of any cancer, no risk, no hormonal therapy or birth
control pills, I breastfed my children, etc.

My
tests came back negative, no lumps.

Then
began a pilgrimage from specialist to specialist for a biopsy that no one
wanted to do; my family doctor was the only one who believed that something was
going on.

Months
later I read “Dear Abby” letters in the newspaper about a lady with terminal
breast cancer who had the same symptoms I had, that no one believed and she was
finally diagnosed with advanced breast cancer.

I
clipped the article and I had an appointment with a surgeon again, gave him the
paper, and as I had learned about cancer and knew what I wanted, I asked for an
excisional biopsy.

I was
completely ignorant to the field of medicine, never knew someone who had
cancer, I studied International Law and Philosophy.

I had
no internet, but I contacted friends from University who had just founded the
National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC), today the biggest breast cancer
research source that welcomes various groups who share the same desire of eradicating
this pest.

My
husband did not agree with my idea that it might be cancer.

My
biopsy showed breast cancer, but the oncologist did not see the need to do
something more, because the margins were clean. I kept learning day by day
since I signed up as a volunteer at the best cancer center to learn and meet
other patients. I said goodbye to my oncologist and asked my surgeon to have a
mastectomy and chemotherapy. She already trusted me and she did the surgery.
She found a second cancer, an invasive infiltrating cancer different from the
one found in the biopsy.

I had
chemotherapy and I am a long-term survivor, but it could come back despite the
years.

I
returned to the University encouraged by the cancer center that paid for my
studies.

I work
now in the cancer center, but my most important work is as an activist for the
NBCC.

I was
the first representative of my state, collecting thousands of signatures to
bring to Washington, DC to demand budget laws for breast cancer. Working
diligently with Senators and Congressmen, we successfully fought for rights
concerning breast reconstruction, second opinion, protection at work, certification
of technicians who handle diagnostic equipment, the right to be informed of health and protection of privacy.

It is
continuous work and every year we publish who voted for us in Congress and who did
not support us.

Besides
this, I have another job as a linguist, translating and interpreting for
patients who do not communicate in English. My idea was that if I had such
difficulty convincing specialists in English, how tough would it be for people
who do not speak the language or are illiterate.

I saw
my children finish school, college, and get married, but in the path, I lost
too many classmates and patients that I will never forget and who were to me,
an example of sacrifice and dignity.

Each
day I spoil myself, I celebrate it, and my losses made me strong, positive and
grateful to my parents, children and God.

I think
my strength also had to do with my culture, born in Bolivia where women are
independent fighters.

I would
like to add that it is important to reach out to all of those who feel isolated
by their culture or language, by participating in the Spanish Discussion Boards.
For me too it is important; I am just giving back what I received during my
treatment.

I know
from experience with my patients that often they cannot ask questions or reveal
their fears to the family in order to protect them or to maintain respect.

Women
and men who have been diagnosed will benefit from participating in a forum where
they are not alone.

I want
to add that I was part of the only study of quality of life for women who do
not speak English who had been diagnosed and treated for cancer of female
organs which was presented at ASCO and was a way to change and educate the
family and husbands about the reality of a woman who lost organs, that she is
more woman than before.

Hopefully
more people will join and participate in our Spanish forums.

Read Criolla's story in Spanish.

Join the Spanish Discussion Boards!

Jelson

Criolla, Thank you for the good work you are doing with our Spanish speaking sisters. I volunteer with Burmese refugees which sometimes involves taking them to doctor's appointments. No matter how good their English is, when life changing, highly personal and emotional communication is involved, one's native language is always best. There is a term, "cultural competence" but how can every medical professional be competent in so many cultures, sensitive, yes, but competent, no. It takes someone like you to advocate on behalf of and to directly assist those who must maneuver among so many obstacles in the search for appropriate and quality care.

dreaming

Thank you for your words, we are all sisters in this fight against cancer.

Momine

Criolla, thanks for getting your story out there. As for the language, I agree. I was treated in Greece, but my Greek is fairly poor, so I made sure to get doctors who spoke good English and were comfortable communicating in English. My surgeon spent many years in the UK and participates in international conferences and research, my onc is Greek-American.