Charisma, Breast
August 7, 2023
As she stood with other cancer patients and survivors, awaiting the ceremonial butterfly release at the Saint Agnes Cancer Survivor Day celebration, Charisma Price had a sudden realization. Much like the beautiful creature carefully cradled in her hands, she, too, has been transformed and is now ready to spread her wings and take flight.
"I’m going to be OK," she thought, as she peacefully let go. It was only months earlier that 48-year-old Charisma had received the devastating news. A mammography confirmed Charisma’s suspicions as to why her breast was sore-several cancerous nodules were found.
Within weeks of her breast cancer diagnosis, Charisma underwent a partial mastectomy (the removal of a cancerous tumor and some breast tissue around it) and sentinel lymph node biopsy. During the procedure, additional cancerous cells were revealed around the affected area.
Thirty days later, Charisma was back in the operating room - this time to have her left breast removed. Then she initially began aggressive chemotherapy treatments twice a week to rid her body of the cancer. As with many cancer patients, the chemo had severely weakened Charisma’s immune system, and in January 2017, she was admitted to Saint Agnes with severe neutropenia (an abnormally low number of white blood cells).
While in the hospital, she met Saint Agnes Dietician Aleyna Besmer, MS, RD, who was monitoring her rapidly decreasing weight. Aleyna encouraged Charisma to visit Saint Agnes Pathways Cancer Support Services, a team of support people - a social worker, dietician, nurse, physical therapist, genetic counselor and speech pathologist - all working together to help patients thrive after a cancer diagnosis.
"We teach patients certain techniques to help them learn how to be in charge of and havepower and control over their cancer diagnosis," says Pathways Social Worker Lisa Leeds, MSW. "We want patients to know they have choices."
"The first thing Lisa and team prescribed for me was Vitamin M–for movement!," Charisma says laughing. "They encourage me to keep moving after my chemo treatments, even when I don’t feel like it, and they encourage me to own my cancer and take control of it. I follow their lead and keep on fighting - I never stop fighting."
Charisma’s seven grandchildren are what keeps her moving forward. "I want to be here for my grandkids," she says. "They love to come to my house for slumber parties. Just seeing them run around, playing, hearing the pitter-patter of their feet and whispers and giggles in the morning - it keeps me going."
And just like a butterfly, Charisma has experienced a miraculous transformation.
"Charisma’s outlook and coping has improved," Lisa says. "We helped her see that she can live, and live well with cancer - it’s just a different way of living."
Saint Agnes Pathways Cancer Support Services
To learn more about Saint Agnes' cancer support services, click here.