Lisa is our model for our 2005 Petite Sirah.

Sometimes adversity brings out the warrior in us.

When the going gets tough, the tough might go camping. That’s what Lisa did when a suspicious looking mammogram led to a biopsy. An avid hiker, leading a very active life, she was unconcerned about it, and she went on a camping trip for a week, instructing the doctor to leave the test results in a message on her answering machine. After a lumpectomy in 1984 yielded a benign tumor, Lisa was not overly worried. She never expected to hear the message telling her that she was in trouble. The test results revealed breast cancer that was so extensive that a double mastectomy was recommended.

Lisa, a registered pediatric nurse and nursing instructor of 20 years, vividly recalls her reaction to her cancer news. “I was in complete and utter denial and disbelief. It felt surreal, like I was floating in a sea of uncertainty. Existential crisis, I believe this is what I was thrown into. A million questions about life, fairness, and regrets shot through my head. Then the fears arrived: fear of frailty, disability, illness, deathbeds, loneliness. After I sat with it for awhile, I focused on the business of gathering facts. With my medical background, I was reassured that if I did my homework, I would be ahead of the battle.”

The day after learning of her diagnosis Lisa worked a particularly stressful shift in the NICU (intensive care nursery). At this point, she decided to take a leave of absence from her work so she could devote time to researching all of her treatment options. Having recently graduated from the University of Ca. San Francisco, earning a graduate degree in nursing, she decided to research the research. The medical librarian at her hospital ordered a host of published research studies, and Lisa poured over them, eventually making a decision for her course of treatment.

The first oncologist suggested chemotherapy. Lisa’s extensive research did not indicate that chemotherapy was necessary. She went back to him for a second visit, having a doctor friend accompany her. “Can you believe the oncologist told me another story all together...no, I did not need chemo,” says Lisa. “I was furious that he changed his tune because I had brought another physician. If I, a well educated, articulate nurse who knows the facts can be given the run around, who knows what could happen to someone outside of the medical world?”

Lisa requested a second opinion from her insurance company, but they refused until they received notes from her office visit with the oncologist. It took that doctor over a month to write those notes. “I was on the phone weekly with his office, pleading for him to write the notes so I could have a second opinion. This was one of the most upsetting and infuriating parts of my cancer experience! I kept thinking about all the women without a medical background or who can't assert themselves as strongly as I can! I still get so upset when I think of the very unprofessional behavior this particular oncologist exhibited. And he knew how desperate I was to have those notes faxed to the insurance company. I subsequently saw two other oncologists who agreed with me: no chemotherapy!”

Lisa sought and received 3 medical opinions regarding breast reconstruction. Sadly, she learned that not one plastic surgeon in Sonoma County would accept her insurance. “The greedy guts wanted full payment, not insurance money. So, I was referred to two plastic surgeons from Napa County that would accept insurance. The first doctor had me convinced that a tram flap of the rectus abdominis muscle was the best option for me. Me, a devoted yoga student! Ha, well, I thought, ok. I guess I'll go for the tram flap. She was so insistent and her arguments were convincing. Then I decided to research the tram flap and was horrified after seeing a video tape of the surgery and the interview of the patient during her recovery. I was a candidate for a bilateral tram flap which she neglected to mention would prevent me from ever performing a sit up again. No thank you! The surgery is hideous and I had emphasized during the appointment that I was very physically active and cared more about function than aesthetics. In other words, the tram flap was the worst option for what I wanted. The second plastic surgeon came highly recommended, a UCSF plastic surgeon. His recommendation was a latissimus dorsi flap. That's where they cut your back muscle and swing it up for a breast. NO thanks! I was an avid rock climber and needed all my back muscles in order to safely slink up mountains and swing down ropes. Another disappointing opinion that did not address my request of function over aesthetics. So, the days before my surgery I almost had the whole thing called off because I did not want to do either procedure. Luckily, the third plastic surgeon happened to be in Sonoma County that day and I was able to see him within an hour and get a third opinion. I liked this doctor immediately because he listened to me and heard my words: ‘I am VERY ACTIVE and I DON’T CARE HOW I LOOK...just give me some boobs that make me look good in a tee shirt and jeans’. And vwalaa...we discussed implants (saline) and that is what I got.”

Lisa had a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction surgery. She spent two heinous nights in the hospital. “I had the night shift nurse from Hell. She was so bad I crawled to the bathroom and removed my IV for fear she was going to flub up on the morning meds. She had the nerve to complain to me about her infected nipple ring and her lousy sex life!!!! Talk about feeling vulnerable as the patient. You really are at the mercy of your hospital nurse. I had been a hospital critical care nurse for 13 years, an ex- UCSF nurse, and was currently a nursing instructor and staff nurse at a nearby teaching hospital. I really knew my stuff and I was mortified by her bedside manner and unprofessional behavior. After complaining to the director of nurses several weeks later, I found out she was a temporary travel nurse from out of state. Moral of the story...never be left alone in the hospital. Always insist that a loved one stay the night in your room. To hell with hospital visiting hours !”

Lisa eventually had several more surgeries to complete the breast reconstruction. She continues to be very pleased with her surgical choices and all of the research done to arrive at the decision of saline implants.

Support of all varieties was readily available to Lisa, some from unexpected sources. Her blind dog Annie provided the most unique. This dog never slept with Lisa, despite years of pleading and cajoling. But, after Lisa was diagnosed with cancer, Annie began to sleep in the bed with Lisa. After all of her surgeries were completed, blind Annie hopped off of the bed, never to sleep there again. Lisa believes that Annie was literally her PET scan “If she ever jumps on the bed and wants to sleep with me again, I'll call the oncologist immediately !” Traditional, more conventional sources of support buoyed Lisa. “I had tremendous assistance and resources available to me,” notes Lisa. “Medical libraries, medical journals, cancer libraries, cancer support groups, close friends and family, other women who had paved the road ahead of me. I tended to turn more inward by meditating, listening to encouraging tapes, painting, drawing, and cuddling with my dogs. I distanced myself from all but a couple of friends. Old boyfriends came out of the wood work and were wonderful !”

After hearing her initial diagnosis, a myriad of emotions and reactions flooder her, but it was when her focus turned outward that she knew she would fight the battle to beat her cancer. “My dogs are precious to me. They are rescue dogs that no one else wants. One night, I was trying to find homes for my two mutts just in case something happened and I might not be around to care for them. An old friend and ex-boyfriend agreed to take my mutts. Annie, my blind mutt immediately had her first and last seizure! It was like an orchestrated intervention from God! I immediately focused on her needs and forgot about the ‘what if I don't make it’ scenario.”

Fighting the cancer battle is one thing. Turning the corner to victory is something entirely different. The ever present warrior in Lisa suspected victory after it was confirmed that she did not need chemo. “For some reason, I felt that chemo would have killed me. When I learned that it was not to be a part of my medical protocol, I felt that my chances of beating cancer had increased dramatically.”

As a medical professional, Lisa is keenly aware that lifestyle and health are interrelated. This is particularly true of her health regimen, post cancer. “I nurture a constant vigilance to maintain a positive attitude, keeping my thoughts and mental images on vibrant life! I work towards keeping myself as mentally and emotionally healthy as possible: meditation, regular hypnosis sessions with an Alchemical Hypnotherapist, listening to positive thinking CD's, reading positive thinking books, surrounding myself with positive attitude-type people (limiting the negative thinkers), going to conferences that reinforce the power of a positive attitude (I Can Do It by Hay House Publishing Company). No more critical care nursing – that type of work drains me. When I work, I always take my breaks! I owe it to my patients and myself to recharge. Emotionally, I express my feelings regardless of what they are, the good, the bad, the ugly. I just get it all out. Physically, I keep it healthy: Hike every day with my dogs for an hour, ride my bike, lift weights. Get 8-9 hours of sleep every night. Drink tons of water. Take vitamins, minerals, herbs, fish oil twice a day. Get a pedicure every week or two. Meet with friends at least once a week for a nice meal and a glass or two of red wine. Spend every day in nature! Watch the sunset and the clouds. Take a lot of vacations to the mountains. Eat an organic salad every day. Don't smoke. Drink only socially 1-3 times a week. Eat organic food by choice. Hug and cuddle with my dogs throughout the day. A good day means having a good belly laugh! Consciously appreciating every thing that makes me smile and warms my heart. Last but not least, I feed my soul with attention to my spiritual beliefs. I pray to God and consult my inner healer. I occasionally spend time reviewing my dreams and seeking the messages they may have for my evolving self. I journal occasionally. I believe I am on a journey with the express purpose of appreciating the gifts of this life and evolving into a better human being.”

Lisa has much to give to others diagnosed with breast cancer, and she gives generously of her time and talents. “Currently, I meet with newly diagnosed women who are referred to me by other people. I show and tell my story. I am very open and honest about my experience and everyone who knows me knows they can send people my way. Occasionally, I get the opportunity to be the hospital nurse for a woman recovering from a mastectomy or hysterectomy. Believe me, I yearn to care for these women and jump at the chance to be their assigned nurse. I feel strongly that every women diagnosed with breast cancer is immediately a member of the sisterhood! There is an amazing bond with all sisters as we support each other in anyway we can. I encourage any sister to contact me for support and encouragement. All our stories vary tremendously, but the bottom line we all share is the frightening process of surviving cancer. Humor was the driving force in keeping me laughing and upbeat. I was constantly striving to iind humor in anything, and I strongly encourage those dealing with breast cancer to do the same. To this day I focus on my cancer experience as a learning tool. ”

About Lisa Woods

Lisa Woods makes her home in Sonoma County, CA. She is a registered nurse and holds a Master of Science degree in Nursing. She grew up in an Army family, living at some time or another in Texas, Nebraska, Washington, California and Paris, France.

She enjoys hiking, biking, travel, camping, the mountains, deserts, and alpine lakes. Lisa is an avid reader of art, history, quantum physics, science, and nature. She has a love of fine dining and enjoying red wine with family and friends. Her dogs are a particular passion, along with her work as a nurse and teacher. She fosters unwanted small dogs for Second Chance Rescue.

“Strengthening my positive attitude and creating a better world through positive words, thoughts, actions are the gifts I give to myself and to the world.”