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After finding out that she had breast cancer, Donna Storella’s calendar quickly filled with doctor appointments, and she received information about everything from the procedure she would need to the type of garment to wear after surgery.
It would have been easy for Storella to become overwhelmed with the information. But, as a patient at BWH’s Comprehensive Breast Health Center, Storella and her husband, Thomas, took part in the center’s pre-op education program. During their first visit to BWH, they met with Lisa Sheinhite, RN. Sheinhite explained the procedure Storella would undergo, reviewed the pre-operative materials and provided an overview of what could be expected during recovery and post-op care.
“I meet with patients after their surgical oncologist has explained the operation to them. Our session is an opportunity for me to give them an understanding of their surgery, and what to expect before and after. I also offer tips for healing,” said Sheinhite, who sees every Comprehensive Breast Health Center patient prior to surgery. “Education about early signs and symptoms of lymphedema—which is when swelling occurs during healing because a lymph passage is blocked—is one of the topics we place the most emphasis on during the pre-operative session. We also emphasize the importance of early intervention of lymphedema.”
Sheinhite provides prescriptions for useful post-operative garments, such as bras and camisoles. “The patients love that these garments are so easy to obtain right next door at DFCI Friends Boutique,” Sheinhite said.
She also uses the meeting to obtain a baseline arm volume reading on every patient who undergoes lymph node surgery.
“This simple step allows the provider a way to pick up very subtle changes within the arm, and begin the patient on lymphedema interventions,” Sheinhite explained. “Ultimately, the most important thing I do is provide up-to-date and accurate information, which alleviates patients’ fears about the cancer diagnosis and the upcoming surgery.”
The Storellas agree that meeting with Sheinhite was both informative and calming.
“Lisa is soft-spoken and soothing to talk to, and she was full of information that I needed to know,” Storella said. “She has the answers to things I didn’t even think to ask.”
Sheinhite says the service provided by the Comprehensive Breast Health Center is unique.
“A breast cancer diagnosis is, in a way, more emotional than other types of cancers,” she said. “It often results in the removal of a breast, and that is something that women need support with. That’s one of the reasons why providing a program like this is so meaningful.”