Wendy Jonas

Breast Cancer with Metastasis Patient Stories

In the summer 2007, Wendy Jonas detected a painful lump in her left breast, which is unusual of a cancer. "I wanted to believe the best," recalled Wendy, who scheduled a biopsy with a surgeon at her local hospital. The surgeon assured Wendy "it was nothing. Cancer doesn't hurt - and it cannot grow that quickly."

After reviewing the biopsy results, her doctor changed her tune. Wendy's lump was a malignant tumor. Her recommendation was chemotherapy to shrink the tumor, followed by surgery to remove it.

"I thought my life would return to normal within the year."

"While I was devastated, I imagined a difficult time with treatment and surgery, but thought my life would return to normal within the year," thought Wendy, a wife and mother. She discussed the situation with friends and family, all of whom suggested she get another opinion at Fox Chase Cancer Center with Dr. Lori Goldstein.

Dr. Goldstein, a medical oncologist, is the director of the Breast Evaluation Center at Fox Chase. She brought her team of radiation and surgical oncologists together to evaluate Wendy. At that point, Wendy still believed the mass was localized to her breast. Further testing was performed and Dr. Goldstein called Wendy for a meeting. "That's when my life changed forever," Wendy shared.

Wendy learned her cancer had metastasized to her lymph nodes, lungs, liver and areas of her spine and femur. "My husband, Donald, who is very emotional, went into shock," said Wendy. "My brother, Rick, who was came along for moral support, became our eyes and ears." While this news was terrifying for the Jonas family, her memory is of the kindness, compassion and patience she felt that day from everyone in the office.

"If there was a way to treat this disease, they were the right people to find it."

"I remember specifically speaking to a physician's assistant in the office, asking her if I would be around to dance at my teenage daughter's wedding. She assured me that if there was a way to treat this disease, they were the right people to find it."

Wendy began her treatment immediately. In the infusion room, Wendy met Carol Ann, a nurse, who she still calls "one of my guardian angels." The nurse calmed Wendy's nerves and listened to her concerns. She started with hormone therapy and a bone strengthener. But the scans showed the cancer was still growing. Dr. Goldstein suggested a clinical trial with a new chemotherapy regimen, but during the testing, it was discovered that Wendy had brain lesions.

Stereotactic radiotherapy successfully eliminated lesions on Wendy's brain.

A radiation oncologist at Fox Chase performed stereotactic radiotherapy on Wendy's brain, which was successful at eliminating the lesions. Stereotactic radiotherapy uses radiation to deliver a concentrated dose of targeted beams to a specific area of the brain where the tumor exists, sparing healthy brain tissue. Wendy was then ready to begin her chemotherapy treatment. As of the fall 2009, Wendy has tolerated the treatment well with little side effects.

"Dr. Goldstein assures me that we'll stay on this treatment as long as it's working," admitted Wendy. "If it fails to work, we punch the next ticket in our pocket. I feel confident that Dr. Goldstein has many 'tickets' and is always working to find more."

"I have complete faith in Dr. Goldstein's advice and feel blessed that she is my doctor."

When people ask Wendy why she chose Fox Chase, her primary reason is Dr. Goldstein. "I have complete faith in Dr. Goldstein's advice and feel blessed that she is my doctor," Wendy shared. A second, and equally important reason, is the care she has received from the nurses who always provided the best advice and practical suggestions for handling side effects.

"The nurses, techs, everyone I come in contact with each week have become so much a part of my life. The nurses are valued friends and I count on them to give me the best care, which they always do." In particular, Karon Martyn is a nurse who works closely with Dr. Goldstein's patients. Wendy noted that she has been a constant source of information and support.

Wendy shared that there is a joke among her friends that they have too much fun at chemo. Her friends request to be put on the "list" to bring Wendy to treatments. She attributes this desire to the hard working men and women in the infusion room, who have created an environment with the utmost professionalism and medical care that makes patients feel as comfortable as possible in their situation.

The infusion room staff is the reason she feels so positive about her treatment and outcome.

While she understands the difficulty the infusion room staff faces in their jobs, Wendy noted that they manage to be positive and sometimes downright hilarious. Wendy wishes she could name each one and share what she loves about them, but suffice it to say, the infusion room staff is the reason she feels so positive about her treatment and outcome.

In the fall 2009, Wendy was honored by Living Beyond Breast Cancer at their annual Butterfly Ball. Wendy was among a small group of women honored for their courage, compassion and contribution to women and families affected by breast cancer.

"Kids Night Out" program was a big help to the Jonas family.

There are many support and educational programs available through the Social Work Department at Fox Chase. The one that touched Wendy's family the most was "Kids' Night Out." At the time Wendy was diagnosed, her daughter Addie was only 12 and had little interest in meeting new kids. During the first meeting, the parents and children were split up for activities and discussion, and Addie was sold on the program.

The 6-week program offered Addie a chance to meet other children who were experiencing the same fears and concerns as she was. And there was hope. Some of the kids were "coming out the other side, with parents who were on their way to recovery."

Wendy thought the "Kids' Night Out" facilitators were terrific and handled their issues in a sympathetic, yet practical, manner. Addie regretted the program only lasted 6 weeks. When Wendy runs into Lisa Lucker, the social worker who leads this program, she often asks about Addie, which impresses Wendy.

Wendy added that each cancer "story" is very different. She believes hers will be a long one, with a happy ending, thanks to Fox Chase and the medical and emotional support she receives there.