The Power of Personalized Care
“At the beginning of this journey, I was scared, but I quickly realized
I had to fight. I became a warrior and now I feel great strength.”
Yolanda Ayala
Pacific Cancer Care patient
Through every appointment -- whether it be visits
to the physician, lab tests, procedures, cycles of
chemotherapy, surgery or radiation treatments -Miguel has been there, by the side of his wife, Yolanda.
Although her three-year journey with cancer threw an
extra challenge their way, their love and devotion to
one another is stronger than ever.
Yolanda and Miguel live in Salinas with their 23-year
old daughter, Fatima, and two grandchildren and work
at Mi Pueblo Food Center and Sante Fe Foods. The
couple is completely dedicated to their family and the
community in which they reside.
www.pacificcancercare.com
In July of 2009, Yolanda felt an abnormal lump in her
breast and went to see her primary physician, Dr. Mario
Pauda, who recommended a mammogram test. Yolanda
was diagnosed with Stage IIIA breast cancer and referred
to oncologist Dr. Laura Stampleman of Pacific Cancer
Care in Salinas.
Yolanda had 32 treatments of radiation, Monday through
Friday for six weeks at Salinas Radiation Oncology
Center under the care of Dr. Esmond Chan. She adds,
“Radiation went very smoothly. I just applied some lotion
to help with the skin irritation and otherwise I had no side
effects.”
“When I was first diagnosed, the experience was
extremely difficult. There was no history of breast cancer
in my family so I was surprised and very sad. Emotionally
it was painful to hear this news. I was scared because
cancer is often associated with death in my family’s
native country of Mexico. I found myself getting angry.
But then I met Dr. Stampleman and that all changed. I
felt immediately confident and comfortable with her and
decided I was not going to let cancer take over my life,”
says Yolanda.
Today Yolanda is a cancer survivor. She visits Pacific
Cancer Care every three months for follow-up care and is
taking Tamoxifen.
“As Dr. Stampleman explained things about my cancer
and my treatment plan, I gained trust and respect for her.
I felt very safe in her care.”
With these strong and positive feelings, Yolanda did
not seek a second opinion. She decided to start
treatment, which began with the placement of a port
and chemotherapy every three weeks, for six cycles.
“My first chemotherapy was very tough. I had never
taken any medications. The bed was spinning and I felt
like everything was going dark and I was swelling up.
After this experience, Miguel was very scared and
wanted me to stop treatment, but I said ‘no’. I wanted
to live for him, my daughter and my grandkids.”
“Dr Stampleman knew just what to do to help with these
side effects and before the second chemotherapy session
at Pacific Cancer Care (PCC), I was given premeds. They
worked very well. Before my chemotherapy, I would eat a
salad and have some juice. And although sometimes the
chemo made me a little bit dizzy, after I was home for an
hour or two, I felt fine. Other than losing my hair, I never
had any side effects from the chemo. I had no nausea,
vomiting or fatigue.”
When chemotherapy was complete Yolanda was treated
by her surgeon, Dr. Bernadette Guiroy, who performed a
mastectomy on April 1, 2010 at Salinas Valley Memorial.
“I felt very comfortable with Dr. Guiroy. She came
highly recommended by my primary physician,” Yolanda
comments. “And after the surgery I did three months
of physical therapy for my arm, to improve my range of
motion. Physical therapy was very successful and I began
radiation treatment in July.”
“Sometimes I just stop in and visit at PCC because I
feel like they are part of my family. Dr Stampleman was
always at my side; she is my angel on earth. And Flor,
Julie and Rhonda -- they are all so kind and positive.
They have blessed me. Pacific Cancer Care is a place
of professionalism, humanity and heart, where the
team helps everyone who walks through the door feel
comfortable and positive.”
“At the beginning of this journey, I was scared, but I
quickly realized I had to fight. I became a warrior and now
I feel great strength. Cancer no longer scares me, but
it has changed my life. Now the most simple things like
water and my family and friends have even greater and
deeper meaning for me. I value everything in my life more
than ever and am so appreciative.”
With renewed strength and new meaning in her life,
Yolanda is a determined advocate for health, wellness
and cancer screening in her community. “I am a very
fortunate person and I want to help others, heighten their
awareness of the importance of annual physical exams
and give them hope. I thank God for the strength to be
a messenger and support other Latino women going
through this cancer. I want them to know they have the
power to fight cancer and they can win. With faith, there
is always hope.”
Yolanda is loved and respected in her community. There is
no doubt she has the power and determination to make
a big difference in the lives of many other cancer patients
and families, near and far, and you can be sure Miguel,
with his own great strength and conviction, will be with
his wife every step of the way.
As Yolanda states so beautifully, “What I have learned is
that cancer brings unity and in union there is strength.”
Monterey 831.375.4105 | Salinas 831.755.1701 | Morgan Hill 408.779.9843
www.pacificcancercare.com
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