$100,000 fellowships to nurture innovative cancer science
Summer 2018 : Survivor reflects on breast cancer treatment
Survivor reflects on breast cancer treatment
Mother of three grateful for cancer care at MD Anderson location close to home
Ashley Rivera, with her doctor, Amy Hassan, M.D., receives treatment close to home at an MD Anderson Houston location, MD Anderson League City. Photo by F. Carter Smith
Ashley Rivera, 29, of Texas City, was diagnosed in January 2017 with stage III breast cancer. A patient of Amy Hassan, M.D., associate professor of General Medical Oncology, she receives treatment close to home at MD Anderson League City. Ashley and her husband, Bryan, have three children.
"It was difficult to take those first steps into the building I would soon call my second home. When I walked into MD Anderson in the Bay Area, I quickly realized how blessed I was to have the leading cancer center right in my back yard.
I would need six months of chemotherapy, radiation treatment, a double mastectomy and a year of immunotherapy. Dr. Hassan told me that if all went as planned, by December I’d be finished with the difficult part of breast cancer treatment and ready to enjoy Christmas with my family. By giving me a goal, she erased some of my fears. That meant everything to me.
Months of chemotherapy went by, and then came surgery time. I had never had surgery before and was terrified. I remember my surgeon, Dr. Christina Checka, holding my hand as I went under anesthesia. It gave me so much peace.
Three days later, my daughter nearly drowned and began what would be a six-month recovery. When I received a phone call at home from Dr. Checka, I braced myself for more bad news, only to learn she had heard about the accident and was concerned. I thanked her for checking on our family, and for holding my hand before surgery. She said, “It’s what I do for every patient. It’s how I would want to be treated.”
These words reflect MD Anderson’s culture. Everyone understands that cancer treatment affects your life and family. Everyone who works there smiles and calls you by name. They ask how your family is doing and how you’re feeling — simple gestures that mean the world when you’re fighting cancer.
Because of MD Anderson Cancer Center’s world-class, personalized care, my children have a mom to tuck them into bed every night. I’m thankful for the staff who worked so hard to give me a second chance at life."
More Stories From Promise
Tang Prize recognizes MD Anderson's John Mendelsohn, M.D.
Former MD Anderson president honored for epidermal growth factor receptor research
Melanoma survivor grateful for cellular therapy
MD Anderson clinical trial yields promising results
MD Anderson Children's Cancer Hospital's Prom Party Palooza
Generosity of community makes pediatric cancer patients' dreams come true
MD Anderson head and neck cancer survivor gives back to help others
Donation supports radiation treatment
Triumph Over Kid Cancer Foundation completes second $1.5 million pledge to MD Anderson
Foundation’s support benefits pediatric cancer patients
MD Anderson's happy campers
Young cancer patients make memories at camp while receiving cancer treatment
MD Anderson Cancer Center marks 20th seminar in Aspen
Event focuses on integrative medicine, latest in lung cancer and HPV-related cancers
Among Friends – Getting to know Dan Blum, MD Anderson Cancer Center Advance Team member
Born and raised in Houston, Dan Blum grew up less than 2 miles from MD Anderson. Although business school and work took him to New York and California, a cancer diagnosis brought him back to Houston for good. Now Dan’s supporting MD Anderson’s mission to end cancer as a member of the Advance Team, a next-generation board of business and community leaders.
MD Anderson's pride of the prairie
Annual polo match raises $619,000 for MD Anderson Cancer Center, breaks fundraising record
MD Anderson supporters gear up for Boot Walk to End Cancer®
Third annual walk raises money for cancer research and patient programs at MD Anderson
iPromise, Ed Scanlon, kidney cancer patient
Ed Scanlon, a kidney cancer patient, has seen his fair share of hospitals, thanks to various injuries over the years as an avid polo player and water skier. However, he never thought he'd be a cancer patient at a renowned cancer center. Scanlon learned of MD Anderson in 2002, when he became involved with Polo on the Prairie, an annual fundraising event in Albany, Texas.
Upcoming events
Mark your calendar and join the fight to end cancer by attending an MD Anderson event