Laura Brokaw

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It was February 1995, when I was diagnosed with stage III breast cancer. I was 32 years old at the time.

Soon after, I had a lumpectomy at a local hospital. As I was waking up from anesthesia, the doctor came in. He leaned over my bed and said, “Laura, you have cancer.” And then he walked out of the room. My first thought was, “What’s going to happen to my children?”

I was referred to a facility in Madison, WI for more treatment. I was not comfortable there. I wanted to be able to make my own decisions about my treatment, but I felt that my opinions didn’t count there. I told the doctors that I wanted a bilateral mastectomy, but they wouldn’t do it. I thought: This is my life, this is my body. How can someone else decide for me? I had two small children; I knew I needed to be around for them. I decided to get a second opinion.

That was when my mom called me. She had seen an ad on television for Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA). I called CTCA, and the next day, I was on my way to Midwestern Regional Medical Center for my first appointment.

I knew from the minute I walked in the door that this was not like any place I had been before. They welcomed me and my family with open arms. I felt genuine concern from the doctors and the rest of the staff, something I had not felt before. At CTCA, I was treated like family right from the start. I immediately cancelled my treatments in Madison, WI, and I never looked back.

At CTCA, my doctors actually listened to me and cared about my feelings. In March 1995, I had bilateral mastectomy. Over the following months, I had chemotherapy, radiation therapy and a stem cell transplant. My treatments lasted through August 1995. Then, in September 1995, I found out I was cancer free.

It is difficult to put into words the experience of being a patient at Cancer Treatment Centers of America. At CTCA, I was no longer treated like a number. From intake, and throughout the treatment process, I felt true warmth and caring from all the staff. And they included my family in the entire treatment process, which was so important to me.

I was also able to interact with other patients who were going through the same experience as me. I’ll never forget the first group session I attended for patients and families. I sat quietly in the back of the room and listened as people shared their stories. That was when one patient said that being at CTCA made them feel cancer was a gift.

Those words really stayed with me and I came to live that statement. It is true. The whole experience of having cancer makes you appreciate life and find beauty in each day. It changes everything. At CTCA, I felt truly cared about. They gave me choices. They made me realize that every life is worth saving.

Over the years, I have been to two Celebrate Life ceremonies at CTCA. I bring my whole family and it is very special. I also continue to go back for check-ups and scans once a year with Dr. Redei. I see many of the same doctors and some new ones too. Each time I go, the doctors still remember me, and that is a good feeling. Today when I return to CTCA, I feel like I’m going back home.

This experience has taught me to always have hope and to never give up. It is so important to stay positive. You can’t fight cancer if you don’t have hope. At CTCA, they give you hope, and they are behind you every step of the way.

CTCA makes you feel like you are worth it—you are worth fighting for.

April 7, 2008

I was just at CTCA in January for my yearly check-up. It’s now been 13 years that I’ve been a cancer survivor! Nothing has changed about the care I was given—I am still a CTCA patient and am treated like family. Just walking into CTCA makes me feel like I’m home again!

In late summer of 2007, I was diagnosed with the BRCA I gene, testing I did so I could be on top of my daughters’ future care. Now I know to make sure that my daughters test for breast cancer in their early 20s.

It was also recommended that I have a total hysterectomy, as my chances for developing ovarian cancer in my 40s almost doubled. I had the surgery in September 2007 and I am doing great!