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Deaf Breast Cancer Patient Finds Ways to Share Her Story, Get The Help She Needs to Cope with Her Cancer Experience - Neighbor Newspapers
Lisa Collis’ reaction to being diagnosed with breast cancer was like that of many other newly diagnosed breast cancer patients – shock, concern for her children and worry over the cost of cancer treatment. But Lisa is different from most other cancer patients – she is deaf and communicates through sign language. Diagnosed with Stage 2B breast cancer in January 2011, she was scheduled to undergo a double mastectomy at the end of June.
Lisa, 35, of Cumming, GA, recently attended a Look Good…Feel Better program, which is a partnership of the American Cancer Society, the Personal Care Products Council Foundation and the National Cosmetology Association designed to help women cancer patients improve their appearance while going through cancer treatment and build their self confidence. The session was held at Northside Hospital, where Lisa is being treated. Through a sign language interpreter, Lisa described her feelings about the two-hour program and shared details of her cancer journey.
“I came here today because I just needed to feel better,” Lisa said through the interpreter, adding that she had to go to the emergency room the night before. “I almost had to cancel because I was feeling so sick earlier today, but I made myself come and I’m so, so glad I did.”
Lisa is getting assistance and information through Erin Elliott, the American Cancer Society’s Patient Resource Navigator at Northside. The Society’s patient navigators like Erin are located onsite at hospitals where cancer patients are diagnosed and treated to provide help and guidance to patients like Lisa.
Coping with Breast Cancer
During the Look Good…Feel Better session with instructor Kim Harper, two other cancer patients and their caregivers shared their stories. But all eyes were on Lisa as she told about the day she discovered a lump in her breast. She said she was “very blessed” to have the right people to help her cope with her cancer journey, with interpreters provided during all oncology consultations. She shared that her main concerns remain financial stresses since she has no health insurance. She said medical bills are piling up but added that Erin Elliott is helping her find financial assistance through any possible resources.
Lisa says she was concerned at first about the impact of her illness on her two children, six-year-old daughter Mackenzie, and 3-year-old son, Drew – both of whom learned sign language at a very early age. But she says she broke the news to them gradually and talked to them throughout the process, giving them opportunities to ask questions and talk about their feelings. Both children took the situation very well, she adds, saying that she also shared her diagnosis with officials at Mashburn Elementary School, where her daughter is a student.
Looking And Feeling Beautiful
After participating in the Look Good…Feel Better session, Lisa emerged looking and feeling good. When the other patients in the class told Lisa how beautiful she looked after her makeup applications, she replied, “I feel just like you do. We’re all the same.
She continued, “With a positive attitude, I find that it helps me recover fast. I don’t have time to be sick.”
Said Judy Godfrey, a mission delivery manager in the Society’s Gwinnett office who attended the Look Good…Feel Better session with Lisa, “This evening was probably one of the most rewarding experiences with the American Cancer Society as a mission manager.”
To learn more about Look Good…Feel Better, visit American Cancer Society :: Information and Resources for Cancer: Breast, Colon, Prostate, Lung and Other Forms or call toll-free at 1-800-227.2345.
Lisa Collis’ reaction to being diagnosed with breast cancer was like that of many other newly diagnosed breast cancer patients – shock, concern for her children and worry over the cost of cancer treatment. But Lisa is different from most other cancer patients – she is deaf and communicates through sign language. Diagnosed with Stage 2B breast cancer in January 2011, she was scheduled to undergo a double mastectomy at the end of June.
Lisa, 35, of Cumming, GA, recently attended a Look Good…Feel Better program, which is a partnership of the American Cancer Society, the Personal Care Products Council Foundation and the National Cosmetology Association designed to help women cancer patients improve their appearance while going through cancer treatment and build their self confidence. The session was held at Northside Hospital, where Lisa is being treated. Through a sign language interpreter, Lisa described her feelings about the two-hour program and shared details of her cancer journey.
“I came here today because I just needed to feel better,” Lisa said through the interpreter, adding that she had to go to the emergency room the night before. “I almost had to cancel because I was feeling so sick earlier today, but I made myself come and I’m so, so glad I did.”
Lisa is getting assistance and information through Erin Elliott, the American Cancer Society’s Patient Resource Navigator at Northside. The Society’s patient navigators like Erin are located onsite at hospitals where cancer patients are diagnosed and treated to provide help and guidance to patients like Lisa.
Coping with Breast Cancer
During the Look Good…Feel Better session with instructor Kim Harper, two other cancer patients and their caregivers shared their stories. But all eyes were on Lisa as she told about the day she discovered a lump in her breast. She said she was “very blessed” to have the right people to help her cope with her cancer journey, with interpreters provided during all oncology consultations. She shared that her main concerns remain financial stresses since she has no health insurance. She said medical bills are piling up but added that Erin Elliott is helping her find financial assistance through any possible resources.
Lisa says she was concerned at first about the impact of her illness on her two children, six-year-old daughter Mackenzie, and 3-year-old son, Drew – both of whom learned sign language at a very early age. But she says she broke the news to them gradually and talked to them throughout the process, giving them opportunities to ask questions and talk about their feelings. Both children took the situation very well, she adds, saying that she also shared her diagnosis with officials at Mashburn Elementary School, where her daughter is a student.
Looking And Feeling Beautiful
After participating in the Look Good…Feel Better session, Lisa emerged looking and feeling good. When the other patients in the class told Lisa how beautiful she looked after her makeup applications, she replied, “I feel just like you do. We’re all the same.
She continued, “With a positive attitude, I find that it helps me recover fast. I don’t have time to be sick.”
Said Judy Godfrey, a mission delivery manager in the Society’s Gwinnett office who attended the Look Good…Feel Better session with Lisa, “This evening was probably one of the most rewarding experiences with the American Cancer Society as a mission manager.”
To learn more about Look Good…Feel Better, visit American Cancer Society :: Information and Resources for Cancer: Breast, Colon, Prostate, Lung and Other Forms or call toll-free at 1-800-227.2345.
