Download Miami Bride Didn`t Let Cancer Ruin Her Wedding

Miami Bride
(continued from front)
Lainey responded well to the chemo, which made the surgery and radiation easier. She feels
great. Having successfully completed the radiation regimen, Lainey has started the hormonal
therapy and will undergo reconstructive surgery. Of course, she will have regular follow-up
exams and tests with Dr. Slingerland.
“Even if I didn’t work at
UM, I would still have
gone to Sylvester – they
are absolutely the best.”
“I could never have gotten through it alone. My husband was wonderful; my family and my husband’s family – they were all
here for me through it all,” Lainey shares. “I never had to be alone or go to an appointment alone – someone was ALWAYS
with me.”
Today, Lainey feels good and is getting on with her life and her new marriage. She will be a patient model at Sylvester’s
Designed For a Cure event in February.
Another New Sylvester Location to Better Serve our Patients
Sylvester at Hollywood
Dr. Alves is a local expert in hematologic malignancies, while Dr.
Mudad is a recognized expert in the field of thoracic oncology.
Ney Alves, M.D.
Raja Mudad, M.D., F.A.C.P.
This new satellite of Sylvester will provide patients in the south Broward and Aventura areas access to numerous clinical trials
and state-of-the-art cancer treatments only available through an academic institution of this caliber. The Hollywood team will
join a group of more than 250 physicians and scientists at Sylvester dedicated to the mission of relieving the burden of cancer.
How You Can Help Today!
Please consider making a contribution to
Sylvester by sending a check made out to Sylvester
Comprehensive Cancer Center, or by visiting
our website at www.sylvester.org/how_to.
For more information or physician referrals,
please call (305) 243-1000 or (800) 545-2292.
Sylvester, Office of Advancement,
PO Box 016960 (M867), Miami, FL 33101-9844
Miami Bride Didn’t Let Cancer Ruin Her Wedding
At the young age of 28, bride-to-be Lainey Tobin (now
Lainey Tobin Kieffer) felt something in her breast and at her
fiancé’s urging underwent an ultrasound and mammogram.
This was two months before her
wedding date.
On April 7, Lainey celebrated her
bridal shower. Three days later she
had a precautionary biopsy done.
Two days later she was diagnosed
with cancer.
As a nurse-practitioner in the
University of Miami UHealth
System, Lainey immediately
contacted specialists at the
Braman Family Breast Cancer
Institute at Sylvester. Her
oncologist, Dr. Joyce Slingerland,
diagnosed her with multi-focal
invasive ductal carcinoma, stage 3.
Ney Alves, M.D., and Raja Mudad, M.D., F.A.C.P., are joining
Sylvester’s multidisciplinary team of cancer specialists. As the newest
satellite facility, Sylvester at Hollywood will bring Sylvester’s totals to
189 exam rooms across 5 locations and 120 CTU Infusion Suites.
“We will be able to provide even more high-quality options for cancer
care to the South Broward community,” explains Dr. Alves. “Our
convenient location allows patients access to cutting-edge treatments
and scientific resources that were not previously available in the
Hollywood and Aventura area.”
WINTER 2014
HHH from Charity Navigator,
the largest independent evaluator
of charities.
Provide us with your email address for monthly
updates about cancer awareness campaigns, the
work going on at Sylvester, inspiring stories, as
well as tips and information on how to prevent
illness and encourage healthy lifestyles.
Connect with Us!
If you do not wish to receive further fundraising communications from the University of Miami Medical Programs/UHealth System, please send
your request either by email to the following address: [email protected] or mail your request to the Office of HIPAA Privacy and
Security, P.O. Box 019132 (M-879), Miami, Florida 33101. Be sure to include the following: Name, Address, Phone Number and Email address.
Only complete requests can be processed. You may receive additional communication during the processing of your request.
ADVANCES
“Her young age was the most
important unusual feature of
Lainey’s cancer. Her cancer
was locally advanced and was
comprised of multiple tumors,”
recalls Dr. Slingerland. Her age
and the advanced stage of her
tumors made recurrence more
likely, so her treatment had to be
aggressive. That raised challenging
considerations for her team.
“Most breast cancers occur in
women over age 60, so fertility
is not a concern. But Lainey had
yet to have children.” Lainey’s
team had to weigh the effects
of chemo, Herceptin and
hormonal therapy – all needed
to prevent recurrence and
death from breast cancer –
on her future fertility. The
most important factor:
not compromising Lainey’s
long-term life expectancy.
“Dr. Slingerland was unbelievable! She gave me
so much time! She outlined the plan, exactly
what had to be done. She
was and is there when I
need her. I always felt so
comfortable with her – I
was never afraid to ask
any question at all, call or
email her any time. This
was so important – to feel
that comfortable with your
team.” – Lainey
The Sylvester Difference
Dr. Joyce Slingerland on the benefits
to Lainey being treated at Sylvester
• Lainey was able to consult with our fertility service to preserve her future fertility. She discussed cryopreservation of eggs before starting chemo for future in-vitro fertilization after treatment.
• She had access to our panel of clinical trials for therapies involving novel targeted agents that would
not be available elsewhere.
• We have expert teams of geneticists, surgeons, breast imagers, pathologists, radiation and medical
oncologists, who all confer together to come up with the best treatment options.
• Her family doctor is a colleague. We were able to confer several times during the course of her treatment. Our ability to easily collaborate was crucial when Lainey faced complications during chemotherapy.
• Lainey’s tumor has been stored in our tumor bank
repository, allowing greater, more in depth analysis of the molecular attributes of this tumor in the context of research study.
Lainey’s therapy plan included
P.O. Box 016960 (M867) • Miami, Florida 33101-9844 • (305) 243-9088 • www.sylvester.org
genetic testing, chemotherapy
together with Herceptin to
shrink the tumors, followed by a
double mastectomy and radiation.
Completion of radiation therapy
will be followed by one year
of Herceptin and five years of
antiestrogen hormonal therapy.
The collaborative work of her
various specialists made this
unique treatment plan possible.
Lainey and her fiancé, Michael,
decided to move their June 2
wedding date and get married
before the treatment started. The
wedding – which was smaller and
more private – was on May 5.
“It was a gorgeous wedding
– despite everything that was
happening, I was marrying the
man of my dreams!” says Lainey.
The very next day she had her
pre-chemo oncology appointment,
received her port and started
chemo one week after the
wedding. On June 2 – their
original wedding date – she shaved
what was left of her beautiful hair.
(continued on back)
Message from the Director
Over the last decade, we have learned just how
distinct each person’s cancer is. This is not
surprising given our own unique differences.
Nonetheless, for many types of cancer – including
colon, breast, prostate or lung – different
abnormalities drive the cancer cells’ growth. It is
because of these variables that we are working to
Dr. Stephen Nimer
define the best line of treatment for each patient.
At Sylvester, we are committed to continue developing these powerful,
targeted therapies. But it is clear that we need other strategies as well.
Perhaps one of the most exciting discoveries we have witnessed over
the last five years has been our improved understanding of how to
manipulate a patient’s own immune system to respond more effectively
against his or her cancerous cells.
We are fortunate to have an exceptional team of medical oncologists,
pathologists, radiation oncologists, surgeons and researchers who are
devoting countless hours to saving others. By growing our research
network that provides insight into these disease processes, then applying
that knowledge to develop effective new treatments for patients,
Sylvester will not only assure its future as a world-class comprehensive
cancer research and treatment center, it also will allow us to honor our
commitment to providing quality, patient-centric cancer care.
Stephen D. Nimer, M.D.
Director
Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
Survivor Stories: Sylvester Cancer Patient Updates
In the past we’ve shared stories of our brave cancer patients with you.
We thought you’d appreciate knowing how they are doing now…
Jamie Rusk
Adenocarcinoma Survivor
“During the past six-plus years, I realized
many things but in particular how precious
time is and where I want to put my time
and energy when I am able. That is why
I give back to Sylvester and in a big way!
They saved my husband’s life, mine (many
times) and they continue to keep me alive!”
Jamie Rusk, her husband Kevin and their sons
Karen DeGray
Mantle Cell Lymphoma Survivor
“Wow... Can’t believe it’s 10 years since my
diagnosis of mantle cell lymphoma. So blessed
to have been referred to Dr. Lossos. Every day
is a gift. I’m so grateful.”
Karen and her husband
New Faces at Sylvester
Life-Changing Research at Sylvester
Mark Gonzalgo, M.D., Ph.D.,
is an expert in the treatment
of urologic cancers, who has
conducted pioneering research
on the molecular biology and
early detection of prostate,
bladder and kidney cancers.
Dr. Gonzalgo was recruited to
the University of Miami from
Stanford where he served as
Director of Robotic-Assisted Urologic Cancer Surgery.
New Approach to Treating Leukemia
Ronald Desrosiers, Ph.D.,
has joined the Miller School’s
Department of Pathology,
where he will serve as
Director of Research Faculty
Development and continue
his basic science research into
viruses that cause AIDS and
cancer. After spending the past
35 years at Harvard and its
New England Primate Research Center, Dr. Desrosiers
will have an enormous impact on the HIV and viral
oncology programs at the University of Miami.
After decades of research, we have identified specific
enzymes that play a role in the normal development
of stem cells from the bone marrow into mature blood
cells. By understanding the impact of these enzymes on
the development of blood cells, our experts can find a
way to inhibit the function of these abnormal cells, thus
preventing AML.
New Additions to our
Faculty and Medical Staff
Jamie Hoffman, M.D.
Cleveland Clinic – Florida
Department of Medicine
Ivaylo Mihaylov, Ph.D.
Brown University
Department of
Radiation Oncology
Lan Wang, Ph.D.
Memorial Sloan-Kettering
Cancer Center
Department of Biochemistry
and Molecular Biology
Breelyn Wilky, M.D.
Sidney Kimmel
Comprehensive
Cancer Center –
John Hopkins Hospital
Department of Pathology
Sanoj Punnen, M.D. University of California
San Francisco
Department of Urology
Noriyuki Kasahara, M.D., Ph.D.
University of California
Los Angeles
Department of Cell Biology
Heather King, M.D.
University of Miami
Department of Surgery
Augustin Pimentel, M.D.
University of Miami
Department of Medicine
Xiao-Jian Sun, Ph.D.
Rockefeller University
Department of Cell Biology
Theresa Cao, M.D.
State University of New York
Department of Dermatology
and Cutaneous Surgery
Francisco Vega, M.D.
University of Texas –
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
Department of Pathology
Jeong Hee Cho, M.D., Ph.D.
University of Texas –
M.D. Anderson
Cancer Center
Department of Pathology
Arthur Zelent, Ph.D.
The Institute of Cancer
Research – United Kingdom
Department of Medicine
Edward Ziga, M.D., M.P.H.
St. Jude Children’s Hospital
Department of Pediatrics
A recent study has found a potential new approach to
halting the growth of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML),
a deadly blood-borne cancer in adults and children.
About 14,000 new cases of AML are diagnosed each year
in the United States, and the five-year survival rate for
patients is less than 30 percent. AML is an acute form of
leukemia that begins when blood cells formed in the bone
marrow fail to develop properly, allowing them to spread
throughout the body.
“It is our hope that we will be able to use
this approach against leukemia cells, and
that our work will accelerate clinical research
into new treatments for this form of cancer.”
– Stephen D. Nimer, M.D.
Overcoming Complications from Bone
Marrow Transplantation
Krishna V. Komanduri, M.D., Director of Sylvester’s Adult Stem Cell
Transplant Program, is focusing on understanding the complications
that result from an immunological rejection after bone marrow or
stem cell transplant. Dr. Komanduri and his team identified a class
of drugs usually used to treat skin cancer that could also be used to
ensure the newly transplanted donor cells do not attack the transplant
recipient’s body, while maintaining the benefits of the transplant.
This research has the potential to identify novel approaches that
will transform the future of transplantation by making it safer
and more widely applicable.
Patient-Specific Targeted Therapies
Joseph D. Rosenblatt, M.D., Director of the Hematology/Oncology
Division, is utilizing antibodies to target tumors by delivering
proteins to evoke an immune response against the tumor or halt
tumor growth altogether. Rosenblatt and his team have developed
treatments that manipulate the patient’s own antibodies to inhibit
the formation of blood vessels in tumors, target a wide variety of
tumors and elicit vigorous anti-tumor immune response.
Events Benefiting Research at Sylvester
Fourth Annual Dolphins Cycling Challenge Inspires Dolphins
Cycling Challenge Spin-a-Thon
Not only did the Fourth Annual Dolphins Cycling Challenge draw 2,875 riders to raise $3.1 million
– $1.1 million more than the year before – it inspired a new event to raise funds for Sylvester!
More than 100 University of Miami students and employees participated in the Dolphins Cycling
Challenge Spin-a-Thon, a “spinoff ” of the much-larger Dolphins Cycling Challenge.
This event was created to help raise more money and give students like Celia Schieffelin the chance
to honor the courage of her mom, who has been battling cancer for the past three and a half years.
Told she’d be lucky if she lived to see her daughter graduate from high school, Celia’s mom is still
alive and fighting because of advances in cancer treatments.
“I realized this was something I could do to help, the opportunity I had been seeking for so long that would help my mother
and others by raising the money needed to advance cancer research,” Celia said. “Every single pedal, every mile, every hill I go
over, it’s because I want her to be able to be here with me longer than she should be.”
At last count, Celia had raised over $32,000. Not bad for a college freshman!
“I hope I can inspire people to realize they can make an impact. At 17, I was able to pull this
together, so I think people can realize the potential they can have. They should feel ‘I can actually
do something.’” – Celia Schieffelin
Thanks to all – cyclists, volunteers and donors – who participated in the 2013 DCC and the Spin-a-Thon! Their efforts are
truly helping make South Florida a healthier place for us all.
Message from the Director
Over the last decade, we have learned just how
distinct each person’s cancer is. This is not
surprising given our own unique differences.
Nonetheless, for many types of cancer – including
colon, breast, prostate or lung – different
abnormalities drive the cancer cells’ growth. It is
because of these variables that we are working to
Dr. Stephen Nimer
define the best line of treatment for each patient.
At Sylvester, we are committed to continue developing these powerful,
targeted therapies. But it is clear that we need other strategies as well.
Perhaps one of the most exciting discoveries we have witnessed over
the last five years has been our improved understanding of how to
manipulate a patient’s own immune system to respond more effectively
against his or her cancerous cells.
We are fortunate to have an exceptional team of medical oncologists,
pathologists, radiation oncologists, surgeons and researchers who are
devoting countless hours to saving others. By growing our research
network that provides insight into these disease processes, then applying
that knowledge to develop effective new treatments for patients,
Sylvester will not only assure its future as a world-class comprehensive
cancer research and treatment center, it also will allow us to honor our
commitment to providing quality, patient-centric cancer care.
Stephen D. Nimer, M.D.
Director
Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
Survivor Stories: Sylvester Cancer Patient Updates
In the past we’ve shared stories of our brave cancer patients with you.
We thought you’d appreciate knowing how they are doing now…
Jamie Rusk
Adenocarcinoma Survivor
“During the past six-plus years, I realized
many things but in particular how precious
time is and where I want to put my time
and energy when I am able. That is why
I give back to Sylvester and in a big way!
They saved my husband’s life, mine (many
times) and they continue to keep me alive!”
Jamie Rusk, her husband Kevin and their sons
Karen DeGray
Mantle Cell Lymphoma Survivor
“Wow... Can’t believe it’s 10 years since my
diagnosis of mantle cell lymphoma. So blessed
to have been referred to Dr. Lossos. Every day
is a gift. I’m so grateful.”
Karen and her husband
New Faces at Sylvester
Life-Changing Research at Sylvester
Mark Gonzalgo, M.D., Ph.D.,
is an expert in the treatment
of urologic cancers, who has
conducted pioneering research
on the molecular biology and
early detection of prostate,
bladder and kidney cancers.
Dr. Gonzalgo was recruited to
the University of Miami from
Stanford where he served as
Director of Robotic-Assisted Urologic Cancer Surgery.
New Approach to Treating Leukemia
Ronald Desrosiers, Ph.D.,
has joined the Miller School’s
Department of Pathology,
where he will serve as
Director of Research Faculty
Development and continue
his basic science research into
viruses that cause AIDS and
cancer. After spending the past
35 years at Harvard and its
New England Primate Research Center, Dr. Desrosiers
will have an enormous impact on the HIV and viral
oncology programs at the University of Miami.
After decades of research, we have identified specific
enzymes that play a role in the normal development
of stem cells from the bone marrow into mature blood
cells. By understanding the impact of these enzymes on
the development of blood cells, our experts can find a
way to inhibit the function of these abnormal cells, thus
preventing AML.
New Additions to our
Faculty and Medical Staff
Jamie Hoffman, M.D.
Cleveland Clinic – Florida
Department of Medicine
Ivaylo Mihaylov, Ph.D.
Brown University
Department of
Radiation Oncology
Lan Wang, Ph.D.
Memorial Sloan-Kettering
Cancer Center
Department of Biochemistry
and Molecular Biology
Breelyn Wilky, M.D.
Sidney Kimmel
Comprehensive
Cancer Center –
John Hopkins Hospital
Department of Pathology
Sanoj Punnen, M.D. University of California
San Francisco
Department of Urology
Noriyuki Kasahara, M.D., Ph.D.
University of California
Los Angeles
Department of Cell Biology
Heather King, M.D.
University of Miami
Department of Surgery
Augustin Pimentel, M.D.
University of Miami
Department of Medicine
Xiao-Jian Sun, Ph.D.
Rockefeller University
Department of Cell Biology
Theresa Cao, M.D.
State University of New York
Department of Dermatology
and Cutaneous Surgery
Francisco Vega, M.D.
University of Texas –
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
Department of Pathology
Jeong Hee Cho, M.D., Ph.D.
University of Texas –
M.D. Anderson
Cancer Center
Department of Pathology
Arthur Zelent, Ph.D.
The Institute of Cancer
Research – United Kingdom
Department of Medicine
Edward Ziga, M.D., M.P.H.
St. Jude Children’s Hospital
Department of Pediatrics
A recent study has found a potential new approach to
halting the growth of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML),
a deadly blood-borne cancer in adults and children.
About 14,000 new cases of AML are diagnosed each year
in the United States, and the five-year survival rate for
patients is less than 30 percent. AML is an acute form of
leukemia that begins when blood cells formed in the bone
marrow fail to develop properly, allowing them to spread
throughout the body.
“It is our hope that we will be able to use
this approach against leukemia cells, and
that our work will accelerate clinical research
into new treatments for this form of cancer.”
– Stephen D. Nimer, M.D.
Overcoming Complications from Bone
Marrow Transplantation
Krishna V. Komanduri, M.D., Director of Sylvester’s Adult Stem Cell
Transplant Program, is focusing on understanding the complications
that result from an immunological rejection after bone marrow or
stem cell transplant. Dr. Komanduri and his team identified a class
of drugs usually used to treat skin cancer that could also be used to
ensure the newly transplanted donor cells do not attack the transplant
recipient’s body, while maintaining the benefits of the transplant.
This research has the potential to identify novel approaches that
will transform the future of transplantation by making it safer
and more widely applicable.
Patient-Specific Targeted Therapies
Joseph D. Rosenblatt, M.D., Director of the Hematology/Oncology
Division, is utilizing antibodies to target tumors by delivering
proteins to evoke an immune response against the tumor or halt
tumor growth altogether. Rosenblatt and his team have developed
treatments that manipulate the patient’s own antibodies to inhibit
the formation of blood vessels in tumors, target a wide variety of
tumors and elicit vigorous anti-tumor immune response.
Events Benefiting Research at Sylvester
Fourth Annual Dolphins Cycling Challenge Inspires Dolphins
Cycling Challenge Spin-a-Thon
Not only did the Fourth Annual Dolphins Cycling Challenge draw 2,875 riders to raise $3.1 million
– $1.1 million more than the year before – it inspired a new event to raise funds for Sylvester!
More than 100 University of Miami students and employees participated in the Dolphins Cycling
Challenge Spin-a-Thon, a “spinoff ” of the much-larger Dolphins Cycling Challenge.
This event was created to help raise more money and give students like Celia Schieffelin the chance
to honor the courage of her mom, who has been battling cancer for the past three and a half years.
Told she’d be lucky if she lived to see her daughter graduate from high school, Celia’s mom is still
alive and fighting because of advances in cancer treatments.
“I realized this was something I could do to help, the opportunity I had been seeking for so long that would help my mother
and others by raising the money needed to advance cancer research,” Celia said. “Every single pedal, every mile, every hill I go
over, it’s because I want her to be able to be here with me longer than she should be.”
At last count, Celia had raised over $32,000. Not bad for a college freshman!
“I hope I can inspire people to realize they can make an impact. At 17, I was able to pull this
together, so I think people can realize the potential they can have. They should feel ‘I can actually
do something.’” – Celia Schieffelin
Thanks to all – cyclists, volunteers and donors – who participated in the 2013 DCC and the Spin-a-Thon! Their efforts are
truly helping make South Florida a healthier place for us all.
Miami Bride
(continued from front)
Lainey responded well to the chemo, which made the surgery and radiation easier. She feels
great. Having successfully completed the radiation regimen, Lainey has started the hormonal
therapy and will undergo reconstructive surgery. Of course, she will have regular follow-up
exams and tests with Dr. Slingerland.
“Even if I didn’t work at
UM, I would still have
gone to Sylvester – they
are absolutely the best.”
“I could never have gotten through it alone. My husband was wonderful; my family and my husband’s family – they were all
here for me through it all,” Lainey shares. “I never had to be alone or go to an appointment alone – someone was ALWAYS
with me.”
Today, Lainey feels good and is getting on with her life and her new marriage. She will be a patient model at Sylvester’s
Designed For a Cure event in February.
Another New Sylvester Location to Better Serve our Patients
Sylvester at Hollywood
Dr. Alves is a local expert in hematologic malignancies, while Dr.
Mudad is a recognized expert in the field of thoracic oncology.
Ney Alves, M.D.
Raja Mudad, M.D., F.A.C.P.
This new satellite of Sylvester will provide patients in the south Broward and Aventura areas access to numerous clinical trials
and state-of-the-art cancer treatments only available through an academic institution of this caliber. The Hollywood team will
join a group of more than 250 physicians and scientists at Sylvester dedicated to the mission of relieving the burden of cancer.
How You Can Help Today!
Please consider making a contribution to
Sylvester by sending a check made out to Sylvester
Comprehensive Cancer Center, or by visiting
our website at www.sylvester.org/how_to.
For more information or physician referrals,
please call (305) 243-1000 or (800) 545-2292.
Sylvester, Office of Advancement,
PO Box 016960 (M867), Miami, FL 33101-9844
Miami Bride Didn’t Let Cancer Ruin Her Wedding
At the young age of 28, bride-to-be Lainey Tobin (now
Lainey Tobin Kieffer) felt something in her breast and at her
fiancé’s urging underwent an ultrasound and mammogram.
This was two months before her
wedding date.
On April 7, Lainey celebrated her
bridal shower. Three days later she
had a precautionary biopsy done.
Two days later she was diagnosed
with cancer.
As a nurse-practitioner in the
University of Miami UHealth
System, Lainey immediately
contacted specialists at the
Braman Family Breast Cancer
Institute at Sylvester. Her
oncologist, Dr. Joyce Slingerland,
diagnosed her with multi-focal
invasive ductal carcinoma, stage 3.
Ney Alves, M.D., and Raja Mudad, M.D., F.A.C.P., are joining
Sylvester’s multidisciplinary team of cancer specialists. As the newest
satellite facility, Sylvester at Hollywood will bring Sylvester’s totals to
189 exam rooms across 5 locations and 120 CTU Infusion Suites.
“We will be able to provide even more high-quality options for cancer
care to the South Broward community,” explains Dr. Alves. “Our
convenient location allows patients access to cutting-edge treatments
and scientific resources that were not previously available in the
Hollywood and Aventura area.”
WINTER 2014
HHH from Charity Navigator,
the largest independent evaluator
of charities.
Provide us with your email address for monthly
updates about cancer awareness campaigns, the
work going on at Sylvester, inspiring stories, as
well as tips and information on how to prevent
illness and encourage healthy lifestyles.
Connect with Us!
If you do not wish to receive further fundraising communications from the University of Miami Medical Programs/UHealth System, please send
your request either by email to the following address: [email protected] or mail your request to the Office of HIPAA Privacy and
Security, P.O. Box 019132 (M-879), Miami, Florida 33101. Be sure to include the following: Name, Address, Phone Number and Email address.
Only complete requests can be processed. You may receive additional communication during the processing of your request.
ADVANCES
“Her young age was the most
important unusual feature of
Lainey’s cancer. Her cancer
was locally advanced and was
comprised of multiple tumors,”
recalls Dr. Slingerland. Her age
and the advanced stage of her
tumors made recurrence more
likely, so her treatment had to be
aggressive. That raised challenging
considerations for her team.
“Most breast cancers occur in
women over age 60, so fertility
is not a concern. But Lainey had
yet to have children.” Lainey’s
team had to weigh the effects
of chemo, Herceptin and
hormonal therapy – all needed
to prevent recurrence and
death from breast cancer –
on her future fertility. The
most important factor:
not compromising Lainey’s
long-term life expectancy.
“Dr. Slingerland was unbelievable! She gave me
so much time! She outlined the plan, exactly
what had to be done. She
was and is there when I
need her. I always felt so
comfortable with her – I
was never afraid to ask
any question at all, call or
email her any time. This
was so important – to feel
that comfortable with your
team.” – Lainey
The Sylvester Difference
Dr. Joyce Slingerland on the benefits
to Lainey being treated at Sylvester
• Lainey was able to consult with our fertility service to preserve her future fertility. She discussed cryopreservation of eggs before starting chemo for future in-vitro fertilization after treatment.
• She had access to our panel of clinical trials for therapies involving novel targeted agents that would
not be available elsewhere.
• We have expert teams of geneticists, surgeons, breast imagers, pathologists, radiation and medical
oncologists, who all confer together to come up with the best treatment options.
• Her family doctor is a colleague. We were able to confer several times during the course of her treatment. Our ability to easily collaborate was crucial when Lainey faced complications during chemotherapy.
• Lainey’s tumor has been stored in our tumor bank
repository, allowing greater, more in depth analysis of the molecular attributes of this tumor in the context of research study.
Lainey’s therapy plan included
P.O. Box 016960 (M867) • Miami, Florida 33101-9844 • (305) 243-9088 • www.sylvester.org
genetic testing, chemotherapy
together with Herceptin to
shrink the tumors, followed by a
double mastectomy and radiation.
Completion of radiation therapy
will be followed by one year
of Herceptin and five years of
antiestrogen hormonal therapy.
The collaborative work of her
various specialists made this
unique treatment plan possible.
Lainey and her fiancé, Michael,
decided to move their June 2
wedding date and get married
before the treatment started. The
wedding – which was smaller and
more private – was on May 5.
“It was a gorgeous wedding
– despite everything that was
happening, I was marrying the
man of my dreams!” says Lainey.
The very next day she had her
pre-chemo oncology appointment,
received her port and started
chemo one week after the
wedding. On June 2 – their
original wedding date – she shaved
what was left of her beautiful hair.
(continued on back)