St. Joseph’s delivers the best in breast care; Tracey is living proof
It was the week before March Break. Tracey’s Van Kerkoerle's kindergarten students were bursting with excitement. Her own three daughters were filled with anticipation about the fun activities the week ahead would bring.
Tracey, however, was preoccupied.
A few weeks before Tracey noticed a rash on her left breast and began experiencing a great deal of pain. Fearing the worst, she booked an appointment with her family doctor. Two days later she found herself at St. Joseph’s Breast Care Centre, having a mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy. Two days after that, she had an appointment for a magnetic resonance imaging test. 
As other families enjoyed the offerings of the traditional school break, Tracey and husband Ed sat together in their doctor’s office and heard the words, “you have breast cancer.”
With three young daughters aged 9 and 11 years, a teaching career, a full and happy life with her husband, and an ailing mother for whom she was helping to care, the news was devastating.
“My mind was consumed with what ifs?”
Despite the diagnosis, Tracey feels blessed for the care she has received. “Everyone was so compassionate and sympathetic. I was treated like I was an old friend.” She was also amazed at the speed at which she received her care. Within three weeks of receiving her diagnosis, Tracey had her first chemo therapy session which ended in September and in late October she had a mastectomy.
Created in the fall of 2010, St. Joseph’s new Breast Care Centre brought together all screening, assessment and diagnosis breast care services to St. Joseph’s Hospital. The goals of the Centre are to provide better breast care, reduce wait times, offer increased support and education from nurse navigators, and provide access to digital imaging equipment – considered the gold standard in the detection of breast abnormalities including breast cancer.
The change was necessary. For Tracey and the thousands of people needing breast care each year, it couldn’t have come sooner.
Your donations in the past year, totaling more than $350,000 through our mail campaigns, through Season of Celebration, special gifts and events such as Cool Yule, have helped to create this new Centre.
Less waiting. Quicker answers. Better care, all in one location. Because of you, this is possible.
Reflecting on her care, Tracey is grateful to Dr. Taves and Linda Cooper, her nurse navigator and Dr. Scott, her surgeon, as well as all the technologists her anesthesiologist and the entire care team who made such an important difference to her outlook and recovery and quest to live life to the fullest.
An optimistic spirit along with tremendous support from her friends and family has made a huge difference in Tracey’s recovery.
Inspired by Tracey's story? Consider making a donation.
Click here to make a difference in someone's life.
