Inspiring nurse attributes career change to cancer survivorship

Stacy Ciaschini has worked as a registered nurse for nearly 25 years, most of her career devoted to delivering newborns and aiding new moms at Methodist Hospital. She never imagined she would leave the Mother/Baby unit; however, when her son broke his jaw and needed surgery, Stacy remembers meeting the clinical team in the operating room (OR) and knew she was called to make a change in her career.

The OR introduced Stacy to a new perspective. She recalls assisting several breast reconstruction surgeries which made her realize she was four years past due for a mammogram. “It was because of where I worked that I was scared. I was seeing women (young women) having surgery and it made me realize I needed to be scanned,” commented Stacy.

Though she was not showing any common breast cancer symptoms and did not have underlying health concerns, Stacy still felt prompted to visit with her physician for a routine breast screening. Her mammogram revealed a growth in her right breast and lymph node. Within days, she was scheduled for a biopsy.

November 13, 2019, Stacy was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer. “When they performed my biopsy, I felt like I knew. I really wasn’t shocked but knew it was going to be okay,” she recalls. “I was scared, but more so I had faith that everything was going to work out.” Stacy turned to her medical colleagues, specifically Steven Abbate, MD, surgical oncologist, for guidance on treatment options and therapies.

Stacy’s support group was unlike that which many cancer survivors have. While she certainly leaned on her family and faith for comfort and support, she attributes much of her strength to her colleagues at Methodist Hospital who were able to support but empathize with her along the way. “All of my coworkers and physicians I work with were so amazing. I couldn’t have made it through those days without their words of encouragement and always taking care of me,” she said.

Stacy began chemotherapy within weeks of her diagnosis with medical oncologist, Amy Lang, MD, at the START Center. After several months of treatment, she underwent a lumpectomy under the care of Dr. Steven Abbate. Unlike a mastectomy, lumpectomy procedures remove cancer or other abnormal tissues by removing only a portion of the breast.

Throughout her treatment, it was important for Stacy to continue forward with a normal life and maintain a positive attitude. She purposely remained active and kept working in the OR to have a sense of normalcy. “I felt like I could do anything,” she stated. Even when she was exhausted from therapy, she kept going.

“Stacy battled the side effects of treatment with graciousness and a beautiful spirit,” commented April Tolson, Methodist Hospital OR Vice President of Surgical Services. “As her body was struggling, her spirit became stronger.”

April recalls Stacy always sharing a smile and kind words. “Stacy is the person who has helped our team the most during her cancer journey. Through her, we have become a more bonded team. Together we have learned the importance of friends, team, and practicing gratitude for the wonderment of our daily journey.”

Recently, Stacy started radiation therapy. It is often common for patients to begin radiation after a lumpectomy as it lowers the risk of cancer recurrence that may take place months or years after treatment due to cancer cells left behind after surgery. Once her radiation is complete, Stacy will undergo a double mastectomy by Dr. Abbate and reconstruction surgery by Peter Ledoux, MD.

“Every day could be your last, and you have to live like it is such. You just have to be appreciative and live life,” Stacy stated.

Today, Stacy looks back and realizes her call to work in the operating room at Methodist Hospital saved her life. “My whole experience would have been a completely different situation had I not been a part of this amazing team,” Stacy said. “It was nice to know I had a team who really cared. I knew God put me where I was supposed to be.”

Stacy has since requested to work with oncologic surgeons so she could spread cheer and motivation to oncology patients. Not only has she built a support group among her peers, she has also provided support to patients.

While Stacy is still on her journey to becoming cancer-free, she is considered among many a survivor in the Methodist Healthcare family.