Patient Stories
Northwest Health - Porter is committed to providing helpful services to educate women on breast health and encouraging self-exams and routine screenings. The cancer care team is here to provide support for those faced with cancer, from the initial diagnosis through treatment and recovery.
Hear from a breast cancer survivor who shares her inspiring and incredibly personal journey— from discovery to treatment and beyond.
Is it time for your mammogram? You can schedule it today. Call (219) 983-8399 for more information.
'Grateful for that Mammogram'
Sherri T., DeMotte
Sherri T. of DeMotte had always been healthy. She was a runner and took weekly square dance lessons with husband Ken. So when she scheduled her routine mammogram, she expected routine results. Even when she learned they had found a questionable spot, she was confident it was nothing. Then the biopsy revealed cancer. “It was heart-sinking news. You expect it to come back benign. Unfortunately, we didn’t get that news,” recalled Sherri, 51.
Sherri was quickly scheduled for an MRI where they detected two additional questionable spots. Suddenly Sherri had decisions to make. “The surgeons went over my options of mastectomy or lumpectomy. I learned the benefits and risks of each choice. Then Ken and I fervently prayed about it, before choosing the lumpectomy.”
Sherri wasn’t alone. Northwest Health - Porter's breast patient navigator and diagnostic radiologist assisted her throughout the process. “They made the phone call and set up my appointments with the surgeon and oncologist. I didn’t have to lift a finger,” said Sherri. Her daughters, Rebekah and Tiffany, quickly arrived from the east and west coasts, along with three of Sherri’s grandchildren. Her family and dear friends rallied, along with the students and families at DeMotte Christian School where Sherri has worked for 15 years.
All three spots were removed during lumpectomy surgery. “I learned that only one spot was cancer and that it was contained. They got it all,” said a relieved Sherri. Soon after surgery, she began a regimen of 34 radiation treatments and must take an inhibiting drug for five years. “I’m relieved to know the cancer is gone and I’m going to do all I can to make sure it doesn’t come back,” she said.
Sherri missed only six days of work for the surgery and follow-up. As the food services director, she prepares lunch for up to 240 elementary and middle school students and then cleans up the kitchen before planning for the next day. She and Ken are also heading to California to watch their grandson in the summer.
“Even though it was that terrible word ‘cancer,’ I had the best case scenario. If I hadn’t had that mammogram early, I might have ended up with a complete mastectomy, chemotherapy or worse,” said Sherri. “Keeping up with your mammograms is so important.”