Helping Individuals Affected by Cancer Continues to Be Played Forward

Fight 4 Cure Inc’s President, Dr. Lisa Wright continues to help others after breast cancer diagnosis.

Dr. Wright always thought of herself as an aspiring transformational leader. And she is, especially as the President of Fight 4 Cure Inc. This transformational leader was about to experience a period of darkness until the skilled healthcare team at WOMACK Army Medical Hospital gave her hope and a continued purpose in life.

Since my early 20s, I had experienced minor breast health issues which resulted in several minor procedures. Fast forward and at the age of 47, I made an appointment to attend my annual mammogram followed by an ultrasound and cysts aspiration in August 2021. The aspiration procedure was performed but no fluids were sent to pathology. Still feeling uneasy due to having heterogeneous dense breast matter, I advocated for a breast MRI. The breast MRI was performed on January 31, 2022 and it revealed a suspicious mass which required a biopsy. The biopsy was performed February 17, 2022 and on February 24, 2022, the diagnosis: invasive (ductal) carcinoma (right breast). I was a bit shocked given the fact that six months ago the mammogram and ultrasound was clear.

I would later learn that this type of cancer was medium grade of 2. Having a family history of breast cancer (mother was stage 4 metastatic breast cancer and sister was stage 1 invasive ductal carcinoma), the plans for surgery moved quickly to avoid the risk of the cancer spreading. “I was fully committed to the surgery”.

“In the operating preparation room, I felt at ease. My surgeon (Dr. Rowan Sheldon, M.D., General Surgeon) and a group of other medical professions who would be helping out during the surgery walked in and we immediately connected as well as had a few laughs. I was able to tell Dr. Sheldon that ‘I wanted my temporary butterfly chest tattoos to give the impression of them being in flight immediately when I opened my shirt’ before the anesthesia kicked in. “I have only good memories of how my medical team comforted me”.

Dr. Sheldon, along with a few of his colleagues, performed the bilateral mastectomy on March 15, 2022. “He’s amazing and was very passionate about his work. I couldn’t be happier”. Within 30 days after surgery, I was referred to an oncologist, Dr. Lew, and started 4 rounds of chemo; the plan is to finish active treatment in July 2022.

I am a Breast Cancer Thriver and determined to thrive and soar, even through the diagnosis. I will never complain and if I did, it wouldn’t do any good. My plan is to continue helping others who have been affected by cancer.