Paulette Williams, a nurse educator at Medical Center Hospital in Odessa, is sharing her breast cancer experience during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Williams said she began yearly mammograms at age 40, in 2020. Her early results were clear. She said scheduling appointments became difficult during the COVID-19 pandemic, when some providers limited or stopped procedures.
In 2022, after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted, Williams had a routine mammogram. She said she received a call the next day asking her to come in. Williams said she was found to have two primary masses in her right breast, and one had spread to an axillary lymph node. Her surgeon, Dr. Armstrong, told her she had invasive ductal carcinoma and that it was treatable, Williams said.
Williams chose a bilateral mastectomy. She said she also underwent chemotherapy and medication before surgery, which caused her to lose her hair. She said she did not miss a day of work during her treatment, and her coworkers made T-shirts to show their support.
Dr. Khandelwal, who has worked at Texas Oncology's West Texas Cancer Center for 34 years, said a strong relationship with a doctor helps tailor treatment to each patient.