Author: Leslie Toldo
When Wiebke Papenfus and her husband lost their health insurance, she started skipping her annual mammogram.
“I had been very diligent about getting them because my maternal grandmother died of breast cancer,” Wiebke said.
During a self-breast exam Wiebke made a startling discovery- a lump in her left breast.
“I went to a nurse practitioner who sent me for a mammogram and an ultrasound,” Wiebke said. “Then I had a biopsy.”
The results of Wiebke’s biopsy came via email. An occupational therapist by trade, she had a good grasp of what she was reading. Wiebke had breast cancer.
“I was so shocked. It felt like my world just froze, knowing my grandmother had died at exactly my age, I was speechless,” Wiebke said. “It was so horrible not knowing how we were going to pay for my care.”
In that moment, Wiebke knew she would have to rely on her faith to get her through.
“Within ten minutes of reading that email, my pastor came to visit and helped me through the initial shock,” Wiebke said.
Wiebke’s nurse practitioner sent her to the Karmanos Cancer Institute in Lapeer, not far from Wiebke’s home. There she met with a social worker.
“I can’t say enough about how the social worker helped me. She told me not to stress too much about how I was going to pay for treatment, and she helped me apply for financial assistance,” Wiebke said.
The financial assistance came through, which took an enormous weight off Wiebke’s shoulders.
“It was such a huge relief,” Wiebke said. “The stress of the cancer was still there, but I could breathe about the financial side of this.”
With her husband at her side every step of the way, Wiebke launched her battle against breast cancer. She started with surgery, then chemotherapy, followed by radiation. For that, she saw radiation oncologist Dr. Omar Gayar.
“Dr. Gayar is so kind. He explained everything so clearly and answered all my questions,” Wiebke said. “Instead of traditional radiation, he suggested proton therapy; I had never heard of it.”
The difference between proton therapy and traditional photon, or x-ray, therapy is how the radiation is delivered to tumors.
“Photons deliver radiation to the tumor then keep on moving through the other side of the body, leaving behind an exit dose. That exposes healthy tissue, beyond the tumor to radiation, meaning there is a higher risk for damage and long-term side effects,” said Dr. Gayar.
Protons deliver radiation to the tumor, then stop, which is especially important when you consider the vital organs that can be near tumors. In Wiebke’s case, it was the heart.
“The heart is a major concern, especially with cancers in the left breast. Radiation exposure increases the risk of heart disease later in life,” said Dr. Gayar.
After doing her own research on proton therapy, Wiebke was convinced it was her best option. She began treatments at the McLaren Proton Therapy Center in Flint.
“I cannot say enough good stuff about everyone there- the receptionist, the nurses, and all the technicians. They really care about the patient’s well-being,” Wiebke said.
For Wiebke, there was one constant that, above all human aid, that she believes carried her through this fight- her faith.
“If you are faced with cancer, number one, make sure you have an amazing support system that will pray with you,” Wiebke said. “Fight for it. Think about what is important to you, what you want to do with your life. I almost gave up. It was so hard. Faith will get you through no matter how dark or terrible the days are. “
To learn more about proton therapy, or to set up a consultation, call 855 MY PROTON (697-7686) or visit mclaren.org/protontherapy.