Woman, 58, details breast cancer journey – and the hobby that helped her through it
Mary Himes credits a random middle-of-the-night podcast as the catalyst that helped save her life. She had woken up in the early hours of a Saturday morning in June 2021 and couldn’t fall back to sleep. To help relax her mind, Mary began listening to a podcast. She nestled into her covers to get comfortable, placing a hand on her chest, and immediately felt something. “I was terrified, just terrified,” she said.
She promptly made an appointment on Monday with her Stamford Health Medical Group gynecologist, Dr. Irene Komarynsky, who then helped schedule a biopsy with Stamford Health’s Breast Center. When the results came in, it confirmed what Mary had feared: breast cancer.
As an established patient in the Stamford Health system, Mary, now 58, was able to receive the highest quality of care as quickly as possible – and close to home. “My priority was having my doctor nearby,” Mary, who lives in Cos Cob, explained. “Going to another hospital felt like such a pain, one that would add to the stress, not take away from it.”
She spoke with her oncology team, which included Dr. Steve Lo, director of medical oncology at Stamford Health, to create a personalized plan. “Dr. Lo is so thorough, so clear and calm,” Mary said. “The team really gave me confidence.”
In collaboration with Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center, her physicians quickly established an initial treatment plan of three months of weekly chemotherapy treatment plus immunotherapy. Stamford Health is proud of its deepening relationship with Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center to provide world-class, clinical expertise right here in Connecticut. This unique relationship provides second opinions, access to the latest clinical trials, and the most advanced evidence-based practices and standards in cancer treatment and research. “Because of Stamford Health’s affiliation with Dana-Farber, I honestly felt like I didn’t need to go anywhere else (for a second opinion),” Mary said.
As she attended chemo each week at the Carl & Dorothy Bennett Cancer Center, she relied on her nurses to keep her spirits high. “They are truly angels there,” she said. “I don’t think I would have made it through without them. No matter what the issue was, they know how to help.” There, she took advantage of the scalp cooling system, which delivers a consistent low temperature to your scalp to combat hair loss from chemotherapy.
Six weeks after her chemotherapy ended, Mary was ready for the next part of treatment – a double mastectomy and reconstruction. During the surgery, her surgical team discovered a speck of cancer still in her breast tissue. Mary was advised to undergo radiation to give her the highest likelihood of staying cancer free. Mary ended her treatment in September 2022, about 15 months after she first felt a lump in her breast.
Reflecting on her cancer journey, Mary credits her doctors, nurses, and a favorite healing hobby of hers. “One of the things that got me through was getting back to art,” she says. “I figured that yes, I have cancer, but the rest of my body is fine so I can do it.” Bennett Cancer Center offers a wide array of alternative therapies including art and music programs, yoga, and Tai Chi to support mind-body wellness.
Mary continues to go for scans every six months and said that as more time goes by, the easier it gets. And, of course, knowing that expert, compassionate care is close to home, helps. “The doctors and nurses are amazing. The proximity is amazing,” she says. “And I’m alive to tell the tale. That’s all that matters.”