KEEPING THE FAITH

Breast Cancer Survivor Draws Strength from PIH Health Experts and Her Faith

PIH Health Patient, Teresa Gonzalez.

Today, Teresa is cancer-free and grateful for all the expert care she received from PIH Health. Most importantly, she’s grateful for the spiritual growth her cancer journey brought her.

For comprehensive breast cancer prevention, detection, treatment, and all that comes after, PIH Health provides a highly collaborative, multi-disciplinary, and personalized approach to care. We address a wide range of cancer and treatment-related concerns— providing our patients and their families with support throughout their journey.

A breast cancer diagnosis is enough to rock anyone’s foundation, but for Teresa Gonzalez, 49, living through the ordeal had an unexpected silver lining—it brought her closer to God and her loved ones. Teresa’s journey began with her yearly mammogram, which spotted something abnormal in her right breast. After an ultrasound and biopsy, Teresa received her diagnosis—she had early-stage breast cancer. “Even though the doctors told me that we caught the cancer early—I was still very scared. I couldn’t eat because I was so upset and nervous,” she said. “But my husband reminded me that God has a purpose for everything, so I decided to change my perspective, remain positive, pray a lot, and give the entire situation to God. From that point on, I felt a lot of peace.”

More encouraging support came from the PIH Health Nurse Navigator, who answered her questions and coordinated her care by setting up all her doctor appointments—from genetic testing to the general surgeon, oncologist, and plastic surgeon. Ultimately, Teresa opted for a mastectomy, which was done at PIH Health Whittier Hospital in April 2023. After healing, she pursued breast reconstruction.

“Since we caught Teresa’s cancer so early, she did not need any follow-up chemotherapy or radiation,” said Lisa Wang MD, PIH Health oncologist. “Instead, she’s now on Tamoxifen, a hormone therapy used to block estrogen activity and reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence.”

Today, Teresa is cancer-free and grateful for all the expert care she received from PIH Health. Most importantly, she’s grateful for the spiritual growth her cancer journey brought her. “Early detection was key to identifying Teresa’s breast cancer at an early stage,” said Kimberly Bickell MD, PIH Health radiologist. “That’s why screening mammograms are so important. Finding cancer when it’s small and hasn’t spread makes it much easier to treat successfully.”

To schedule a mammogram, go to PIHHealth.org/Mammogram