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In January 2010, Navy Commander Ronda Hartzel was diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer.
Working as a perioperative nurse, Hartzel first noticed a small bump on top of her right breast. “I had fibrocystic breasts and was thinking it was just a normal lump but I recently knew someone whose mother was diagnosed with STAGE IV breast cancer and a friend that had a questionable mammogram so I went to be seen,” explained Hartzel.
The diagnosis floored her.
'At the time I was diagnosed I was 36 years old and in a state of shock,” explained Hartzel. “I ate well, exercised daily, and then this hit me out of nowhere. I just wanted to get back to being me. Losing my breasts and ovaries was a huge hit to my psyche. Not to mention not having any hair and feeling like I was losing my identity. I remember looking in the mirror and not seeing myself. As time went on and I got stronger I finally felt like I was getting back to being myself.”
Diagnosed through a bone biopsy, her breast cancer had spread and metastasized to her right hip, which elevated her cancer to Stage IV. Annually, more than 1,000 active duty service members receive a cancer diagnosis, according to retired Army Col. (Dr.) Craig D. Shriver, director of Murtha Cancer Center, the Department of Defense’s Cancer Center of Excellence.
Originally diagnosed while serving on active duty on the West Coast, this former Navy commander chose to come back to the former National Naval Medical Center. “I knew the amazing general surgeons and plastic surgery team and trusted them with my life,” she explained. “I was not initially aware that I was a stage IV, but knew that the diagnosis of having breast cancer was not an easy one and wanted to be with my Navy family. I wanted to be back with the people that knew me.”
Hartzel describes the team of surgeons and staff at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center as “stellar, approachable, and truly care about the patients.”
To combat the cancer, Hartzel underwent six months of chemotherapy, followed by a bilateral mastectomy with tissue expander placement in August 2010, a bilateral salpingoophrectomy in November 2010 and reconstruction breast surgery in December 2010.
After undergoing numerous surgeries, beating back the cancer, and the retiring from the Navy after 20 years, Hartzel was presented the opportunity to come back to work at the same clinic that conducted her breast reconstruction. She jumped on the opportunity. “I am pleased to have my care here which is why I chose to come and work, and continue my care at this hospital,” she explained. In May 2018, she started as a clinical care nurse alongside her reconstructive surgeon Navy Capt. (Dr.) Robert Howard, at WRB.
In addition to orchestrating the clinic’s daily agenda, Hartzel also works with patients to educate them on “what to expect postoperatively and during the steps of their reconstruction/treatment.”
“I believe that I am able to relate to their situation,” explained Hartzel. “I went through my own process and each journey is unique; but having the personal experience, being a perioperative nurse, and also being a retired military officer it comes full circle and I’m able to give back.”
“There are a variety of options, and I want to help women pick the best option that works for them.”
From her experience as a cancer survivor and nurse she also advises that to get to where you want, they "need to build a relationship with their surgeon and work with them to ensure you are doing the best possible reconstruction option for you. Our goal at Walter Reed Bethesda is for patients to build a rapport with their providers to ensure they are doing the possible reconstruction option for them,” she added.
Now in a “No Evidence of Disease” status, Hartzel continues keeping the cancer at bay. She takes a daily aromatase inhibitor pill, gets anti-neoplastic infusions every three weeks, and follows up with bi-annual positron emission tomography (PET) scans, annual bone density scans and a variety of other tests to ensure that the treatment is keeping things stable. This routine she will need to maintain this for the rest of her life.
“Because of my cancer, I pay attention and listen to my body. I’m very aware of any aches/pains, and remain vigilant about my care,” she explained.
She advises all women, “No one cares more about your health than YOU. So listen to your body and honor it. I’m honored to be part of the team that can help other breast cancer survivors in their recovery.”
| Date Taken: | 12.21.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 12.31.2018 18:59 |
| Story ID: | 306226 |
| Location: | BETHESDA, MD, US |
| Hometown: | GAITHERSBURG, MD, US |
| Web Views: | 184 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Nurse Rebounds From Disease To Care For, Encourage Others, by Mark Oswell, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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