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Article Category: PeopleCare

TamekaCare

How building strength helped one teacher fight breast cancer

Published on October 18, 2023

Last updated 04:03 PM October 18, 2023

Photo of breast cancer survivor Tameka Pearson and her husband

Tameka and Trevor Pearson celebrate victory over breast cancer.

Tameka Pearson experienced the best and the worst of women’s health in a decade. When she overcame her first health challenges, a new breast cancer diagnosis tested her again. As Tameka conquered cancer with the support of her family and her Wellstar cancer care team, she only grew fiercer in her dedication to self care.

Overcoming health challenges

Look back a decade and you’ll see Tameka, a mom of three, teaching middle school students. She started out as a special education teacher, then became an English and language arts teacher. She said, “I truly loved trying to figure out how to help the students learn the curriculum in a different way and to help them cope with their disabilities.”

She was also coping with her own issues at the same time—fibroids, heavy bleeding and pain. After five years, she had a hysterectomy and went through menopause at 36 years old. It took a year to recover, and she gained 60 pounds, high blood pressure, anxiety and depression.

“The heaviest I could lift was my clothes basket,” she remembered. “When I got clearance to exercise, I changed my eating habits, my mindset and my life for the better.”

A new focus on building strength shaped her into a new woman—inside and out. She rose at 4 AM daily, lifted weights, taught students and returned home for time with her family.

A second diagnosis

In peak physical condition at 43 years, Tameka scheduled her routine annual mammogram. She got called back for a second mammogram due to dense breast tissue.

“Getting a call back after a screening mammogram means that the doctor wants to look at something more closely,” said Diane Harris, RN, a certified oncology nurse navigator at Wellstar Douglas Medical Center. “It does not mean you have cancer, but if you do, finding it earlier could save your life.”

But for Tameka, further imaging led to more tests and finally, a needle-guided biopsy. Two days later, she got a call confirming she had triple negative breast cancer. She said, “I felt like this little bump can pretty much dictate the rest of my life. When I heard the term ‘breast cancer,’ my world stopped. I cried for about two weeks straight.”

Everybody on my Wellstar team helped me persevere, answering any questions I had throughout the process.

- Tameka Pearson

Breast Cancer Survivor

Building mental strength

Tameka allowed herself time to grieve. But then she found a new light inside herself and moved forward.

“I didn’t realize how much mental strength I was going to need to get through this journey,” Tameka said. “In hindsight, taking care of myself after the hysterectomy made me stronger and helped me to deal with breast cancer. If I was not in the right state of mind before I was diagnosed, I honestly don’t know how I would have been able to get through it.”

Diane agreed that having a positive attitude can go a long way in supporting the healing process during treatment. “When reducing anxiety and depression, a person fighting cancer can handle more than they think possible,” she added.

Photos of breast cancer survivor Tameka Pearson


A trusted breast cancer team

At Wellstar, Tameka had a whole team of people helping her get answers and start treatment fast.

Her nurse navigator scheduled her with Dr. Ronald Mattison, a breast surgeon, to create a personalized treatment plan, which included surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Her medical oncologist, Dr. Navin Wadehra, led her through two rounds of chemotherapy before surgery to prevent the cancer from spreading to her bones and lymph nodes, then a third round of chemotherapy after surgery.

A Wellstar genetic counselor helped her investigate whether her cancer was hereditary—it wasn’t. She tested negative for the BRCA gene.

Tameka chose to have a double mastectomy—the full removal of both breasts—at Wellstar Paulding Medical Center to lower the risk of the cancer coming back as much as possible.

Finally, she had radiation therapy with Dr. Rakendu Shukla in Hiram.

While she plans to have breast reconstruction, her cancer treatment was officially complete in September 2023.

“Everybody on my Wellstar team helped me persevere, answering any questions I had throughout the process,” Tameka said.

Finding support with family and survivors

In addition to finding her own mental strength, her husband, three teenage children and a support group helped Tameka maintain the right mindset throughout treatment.

“When I logged onto a Lean On Me Breast Cancer Network Zoom meeting, I loved it. They were uplifting, prayerful and gave me great information if I had questions,” Tameka said. Wellstar also offers survivorship and support programs to help patients achieve optimum health and well-being from the time of diagnosis and beyond. 

As for the family’s cooking, cleaning and laundry, Tameka said, “when I was diagnosed, they immediately took over.” Her kids reminded her that she taught them to be strong and it was their turn.

A life-saving mammogram

While life looks different than before, Tameka continues to focus on her health. She’s made peace with needing more time for sleep and having less stamina for workouts. She has hope that she’ll build up physical strength again over time. And she gives her mind and body what they need—whether they call for healthy food or just plain grace.

She’s also quick to stress the importance of well checkups and an annual mammogram starting at 40.

“I’ve always advocated for making your doctor’s visits and showing up,” Tameka said. “I’ve been getting mammograms since I was 40. I got diagnosed at 44 and the cancer was spreading fast. If I had waited to get my first mammogram when I was 45, I don’t know where I’d be. Would we have caught it in time?”

Her nurse navigator at Wellstar Douglas Medical Center agreed, “Getting a screening mammogram can help to detect breast cancer at an early stage.”



Schedule a mammogram

Screening for breast cancer at regular intervals can help identify breast cancer before symptoms appear and when cancer is more successfully treatable. Wellstar patients can access 3D mammograms, which give clearer images of dense breast tissue than traditional mammograms. Find a breast imaging location near you or call (678) 581-5900.

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Navin P Wadehra Ronald Edwin Mattison Paulding Medical Center
Douglas Medical Center Imaging Services - 8954 Hospital Drive Rakendu Prakash Shukla Radiation Oncology - 148 Bill Carruth Parkway Northwest Georgia Oncology Centers Wellstar - 6002 Professional Parkway Suite 140 The Philip Israel Breast Center PC - 144 Bill Carruth Parkway PeopleCare Cancer Care Breast Cancer Womens Health
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At 26, Maria receives chemotherapy as part of her breast cancer treatment plan, determined to complete her interior design degree on time.

PeopleCare

MariaCare

Maria Fernanda Ortiz was a college junior, pursuing a degree in interior design. But at just 26 years old, her life took an unexpected turn. She discovered a lump in her breast, which led to a cancer diagnosis and expert, multidisciplinary care at Wellstar that would shape her professional aspirations in the future. Maria feels her hopeful attitude and compassionate care team at Wellstar helped her come through treatment with positive outcomes.

Feeling heard in healthcare

After Maria discovered a lump, she initially saw a doctor who went through the motions but didn’t seem to take her concerns seriously. 

“He was so sure it was nothing because I am so young,” she remembered. “I didn’t think it was cancer, but I wanted someone who would get to the bottom of it.”

She then saw her OB/GYN who referred her to Dr. Laura Pearson, a Wellstar breast surgeon at Wellstar North Fulton Cancer Center, for a second opinion. 

Maria got what she was looking for: a doctor who listened and would help her find answers. 

“Maria is the perfect example of a patient advocating for themselves,” Dr. Pearson said. “She did exactly what she was supposed to do for someone her age who finds a lump. When it didn’t go away, she got it looked at. When she didn’t feel like she was being heard, she didn’t let it go.”

 

A surprising cancer diagnosis

Dr. Pearson immediately performed an ultrasound in the office, followed quickly by a biopsy, which came back positive for cancer. 

"The diagnosis was scary," Maria said. “Dr. Pearson made it as simple as possible to understand by making sketches. She took the time to answer my questions—and she gave me hugs.”

Dr. Pearson added, “I try hard to be methodical and build a story: ‘This is what this means. This is how it applies to you.’ It’s important for patients to understand their plan and how it’s based very specifically on their situation.”

Maria was diagnosed with stage 2A breast cancer, meaning it was a small tumor but had spread to a nearby lymph node. 

“The stage helps us understand how the patient is going to do with standard treatment,” Dr. Pearson explained. “At stage 2A, we’re looking at a 90% survival rate.”

Keep reading
A healthcare provider holds the hand of her patient to encourage and comfort her

PeopleCare

KatieCare

When Katie Fox walked into Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center nearly a year after her devastating car crash, she felt the weight of the full-circle moment.

Across the atrium stood the people who had helped save her life—doctors, nurses and first responders who had seen her at her most critical and were now seeing her fully herself.

Katie had no memory of the three weeks she spent at Wellstar North Fulton—but her family remembered everything. So did her care team, who had been there through emergency surgery, intensive care, multiple procedures and round-the-clock support.

Now, just 10 months later, Katie was back—walking, smiling and thriving—thanks to her own resilience, an unwavering support system and the highly skilled trauma team at Wellstar North Fulton.

The crash that changed everything

Katie was involved in a car accident on Georgia State Route 400 that sent her to Wellstar North Fulton in critical condition. She had suffered a traumatic brain injury, a lacerated spleen and multiple fractures—including to her ribs, left ankle and pelvis.

Wellstar North Fulton is specially equipped to care for patients like Katie. Designated a Level II Trauma Center by the Georgia Department of Public Health and American College of Surgeons, the hospital serves the Northeast Atlanta community with immediate surgical intervention, 24/7 trauma coverage and seamless coordination across specialties.

“When they first brought her in, she was obviously severely injured in multiple areas,” said Dr. Stephen McBride, a trauma and general surgeon at Wellstar. “She had a large scalp laceration that was bleeding. We also noticed significant internal bleeding from her spleen and multiple pelvic fractures.”

A CT scan revealed a buildup of fluid in Katie’s abdomen, likely blood. She was taken straight to the operating room for what Dr. McBride called a “damage control operation.”

“We opened her abdomen and took her spleen out, which was very severely injured,” he said. “Then it was a matter of getting her stable.”

The surgery was a success—but it was only the beginning. Katie spent the next 10 days on a ventilator in the ICU. During her 19-day stay, she underwent multiple procedures and received care from a collaborative, multidisciplinary team: trauma surgery, neurosurgery, orthopedics, therapy and nursing.

Finding clarity and compassion

Katie’s parents, Mary Lou and Jeff Fox, flew in from Virginia as soon as they learned about the accident—first alerted by a message from Katie’s smart watch.

Jeff recalls speaking with Dr. McBride before takeoff and again after landing. “He was keeping us updated with what was going on with Katie from the start,” he said.

At Wellstar North Fulton, the couple were met with empathy and reassurance under unthinkable circumstances.

“When we got in, they took us straight to Katie,” Jeff said. “I didn’t know what to expect. It was probably the hardest moment of my life—seeing my baby there.”

Katie was unconscious and on a ventilator, but her care team made space for both expert treatment and emotional support. Jeff remembers nurses and even the front desk team checking on them constantly—offering updates, comfort and prayer.

One quiet act of compassion stood out. “The night of Katie’s accident, we stayed in the room with her,” said Mary Lou. “But her boyfriend, her roommate and a friend stayed in the waiting room. We don’t know who it was, but one of the caregivers placed blankets over each of them while they slept.”

That moment—and so many others—confirmed they were in the right place. “I’ll never forget the love and care we received,” Mary Lou said.

Milestones that mattered

Amid the uncertainty of Katie’s condition, small moments brought glimmers of hope. From the way her vital signs responded to blood transfusions to the subtle movements that followed, each step forward reminded her care team and loved ones that she was still fighting.

One emotional turning point came when her boyfriend, Will Henley, sat with her for the first time since the accident.

“I started talking to her about my day, and she opened her eyes,” he said. “I immediately asked her nurse if she had done that for anyone else and she said no. It wasn't much, but it was all I needed to keep my faith.”

Even while unconscious, Katie’s team spoke to her directly. “That was very special,” Mary Lou said. “Her doctors always included her in conversations about her care.”

Wellstar Neurosurgeon Dr. Benjamin Zussman became one of her biggest cheerleaders, celebrating every sign of progress.

“We were exhausted and reality was beginning to set in,” Mary Lou said. “His enthusiasm helped us so much.”

Slowly, Katie began following motion with her eyes. At one point, she mouthed lyrics to Taylor Swift songs when Will played them at her bedside.

Throughout her time in the ICU, Katie’s care extended far beyond medicine. Nurses Sarah Kozarcanin and Sydney Dawson spent hours gently washing Katie’s hair to carefully clean around her head wound.

“That was an act of love that was above and beyond to me,” Jeff recalled.

Care united by purpose

As Katie came off the ventilator and slowly regained strength, the therapy team stepped in to help her sit up and begin basic movements. Her parents saw how seamlessly everyone worked together.

Dr. McBride credits the hospital’s collaborative approach. “Our hospital does a great job having the appropriate consultants available—neurosurgeons for severe brain injury, orthopedic surgeons for severe musculoskeletal injury and, of course, trauma surgeons, physician assistants (PA) and nurse practitioners who care for our patients from start to finish,” he said. “And then there are the therapists, social workers and case managers—all of whom play a key role in recovery.”

Jeff especially appreciated how the team included him and Mary Lou in the process. “Every morning, all the departments involved in Katie’s care would meet,” he said. “They’d always ask, ‘Do you want to join us?’ They valued our input.”

Looking ahead with hope

Katie was discharged and transferred to inpatient rehabilitation, where her memory gradually returned. She and her family celebrated every milestone—especially the day she no longer needed a wheelchair.

“Walking again felt like I gained a lot of freedom back,” Katie said.

Just over four months later, she was back to work, driving and living independently. She credits her recovery to her care team, family and Will—now her fiancé.

“His unwavering support and love during those months showed me that he would be the perfect husband,” Katie said. “If he could be my anchor and love me through that, I knew he would love me through anything.”

Katie also discovered a new sense of purpose. “This confirmed every desire I had to become a PA,” she said. “I think it will give me a different connection to patients.”

In the months after her discharge, Katie returned to the ICU several times to meet the people she had heard so much about—but hadn’t been able to remember.

“Each time we visited, they’d say, ’You can go in the back way—you’re like family now,’” Mary Lou said with a smile.

For Katie’s family, the hospital’s trauma survivor reception brought closure and gratitude. “We had always wanted to meet the first responders who got her out of the car and to the hospital,” said Jeff. "It was awesome that we finally had that opportunity.”

“Seeing good outcomes is the best part of my job, without a doubt,” said Dr. McBride, who attended the event. “For someone like Katie—young, healthy and just in the wrong place at the wrong time—it’s rewarding to see her get her life back.”

Katie’s story is a testament to the power of expert trauma care, teamwork and hope.

“I will forever be grateful for the care, kindness and love the people at Wellstar North Fulton gave my family and me,” Katie said. “We will never forget any of them.”

Learn more about trauma services at Wellstar.

KatieCare
Keep reading
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Highlights

Prostate Cancer Screening in Black Men

Screening for prostate cancer is crucial for early detection and to help provide the best possible outcome. It is especially important for Black men to be vigilant about screening, as they are disproportionately impacted by this cancer.

About 1 in 6 Black men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, compared to 1 in 8 white men, according to a report from the American Cancer Society. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in Black men.

The American Cancer Society recommends that men at an average risk of developing prostate cancer begin screening when they are 50, but Black men should start earlier—at age 45 if they have no family history of prostate cancer, and at age 40 if any of their male relatives have had prostate cancer. Wellstar takes a personalized approach to cancer screenings, with clinicians discussing benefits versus risks of screening and helping patients evaluate their risk.

“Despite many physicians being aware of this and following this practice, Black men continue to be diagnosed with and die from metastatic prostate cancer. This is a trend that desperately needs to be reversed,” said Wellstar Primary Care Physician Dr. Earl Stewart. “We have adequate screening tools that do not even require a digital rectal examination.”

The Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test is more accurate than the digital rectal examination in helping to detect prostate cancer, according to Dr. Stewart. Patients should also discuss family history with their relatives. “Patients knowing their family history is so crucial in having those discussions with primary care physicians to determine the best age at which to start screening,” Dr. Stewart said.

Screening for prostate cancer is as simple as making a preventive appointment with your primary care physician, discussing your family history with him or her, and having a PSA blood test. This test may be performed during an annual physical or wellness visit. Shared decision making between physician and patient is important to discuss your risk, your need for testing and next steps to take if your PSA level is elevated and concerning. Knowing your risk can save your life.

“I know many personally who are near and dear to me who had the disease and who unfortunately died from complications of metastatic prostate cancer,” Dr. Stewart said. “I know many more who lived because they had the conversation and dared to move forward with appropriate screening at the appropriate age.”

Learn more about prostate cancer care at Wellstar.

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