Planning for the future helped me get through breast cancer, says one survivor

The start of every new year brings with it the excitement of new possibilities and hope for the future. However, being told a few months later, in March 2019, she had breast cancer at 42 was a curve ball Simona Lazinsk never expected.

“I thought – what can I do? Then I thought – this is it,” Lazinsk recalls.

Not having anything to look forward to, she slipped into a depression and constantly thought about all of the things she hadn’t done in her life – then she had a light-bulb moment.

“Having cancer and going through chemotherapy changed me,” said Lazinsk. “I quit putting things off and I started and started planning trips, competing in pageants, which I won, and I wrote a book about overcoming life’s challenges.”

Numerous studies show having something to look forward to creates a more positive outlook and lowers stress. In Lazinsk’s case, she believes planning for her future along with the AdventHealth Breast Multidisciplinary Clinic (MDC) were the keys to her beating breast cancer.

“The Breast MDC made it easy for me because it expedited my treatment and when I left the hour-long discussion with my kind and knowledgeable breast cancer care team, I knew I had a plan and could move forward. This immediately lowered my stress,” said Lazinsk.

Patients come to the Breast MDC with a new breast cancer diagnosis. The model, which started at AdventHealth Altamonte Springs about five years ago, is designed to be a one-stop-shop for patients to sit down with all three physicians: a surgical oncologist, medical oncologist and radiation oncologist at the same time. Together, they work with patients to help create a customized care plan.

“There’s less time spent traveling to multiple medical appointments and this significantly shortens time to treatment,” said Dr. Devina McCray, a breast surgical oncologist at AdventHealth and Lazinsk’s surgeon. “Our innovative, coordinated approach has improved outcomes, often exceeding the national average.”

McCray believes this approach is trailblazing in the hospital setting because it places the patient and whole person care first.

“Cancer is hard to go through, but my whole experience with AdventHealth was filled with so much hope,” said Lazinsk. “I felt like I was part of a family, and treated with dignity and respect,” said Lazinsk.

Since her chemotherapy, Lazinsk, now 46, will soon celebrate her 5-year cancer free diagnosis. She continues to plan for each new year that comes and this milestone year is no different.

“I look forward to taking a comedy class, building a training program for my book, The Bridge Method, going on three tips to new places and diving into dance classes with my wonderful husband,” said Lazinsk.

This vibrant, motivated woman is one of over 2,000 patients who have experienced the Breast MDC model since 2018. Over the past five years, the successful model has expanded to Orlando, Celebration and Winter Park campuses and there are plans to add a fifth location in Kissimmee this year. To learn more about multidisciplinary breast cancer care and for more detailed information, contact a nurse navigator.