When Denise Giles was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in March 2023, her inner strength, courage and resolve were on full display. With a lifetime of perseverance under her belt, Denise was determined that breast cancer wasn’t going to keep her from her most important role, being a grandmother to her four grandchildren. Never one to back down from a fight, Denise and her AdventHealth Waterman cancer care team fought back.
“My life experience has been a journey; it has dealt me some good, and it has dealt me some hardships,” Denise said.
After her diagnosis, Denise trusted the cancer experts at our Adventhealth Waterman hospital to guide her on this unknown journey. With unwavering support and cheers from her family and care team, Denise knew she wasn’t alone as she walked toward healing.
Denise said, “I had a strong, supportive team: my mother, my children. I thank God for the treatment at [AdventHealth] Waterman. This allowed me to continue to be here today.”
Denise’s mother refused to leave her daughter’s side, and their connection is a true testament to God's love. The support from her mom strengthened Denise’s resolve to heal as she battled this illness. She felt as if her mother carried the burden of cancer with her.
“My mom was there every second, minute and hour, to the point I believe she took on my sickness,” Denise explained. “In my sickness, I was motivating her, telling her, ‘No, you cannot; God’s got this. He is in control.’”
Due to complications that followed her diagnosis, Denise’s treatment plan included physical, occupational and speech therapy at Adventhealth Waterman. Denise says that God surrounded her with angels on Earth, like her family, her oncology social worker, the hospital care team and oncologist Ralph Gousse, MD.
Denise credits the treatment plan that Dr. Gousse and his care team created for her survival.
Cancer can feel far away until we’re face to face with a diagnosis. But regular screenings like mammograms and colonoscopies increase the odds of early detection, giving you a higher chance of better outcomes. Early detection saves lives.
And regular cancer screenings aren’t just for your benefit. They’re also for the benefit of the ones who love and need you most. Denise’s grandkids never let her give up, even when she was at her lowest. Her eldest grandson, Josiah, in particular, motivated her to never stop fighting.
At AdventHealth Waterman, your cancer fight is our fight. Our commitment to providing compassionate and extraordinary care to our Lake County community is unwavering. And we couldn’t do it without the donors who generously give their time and resources.
Every charitable contribution to our AdventHealth Waterman Foundation helps our patients heal. Every investment, no matter the size, makes an impact. When we come together as a community to focus on whole-person care, we can achieve remarkable results. Denise’s journey is a testament to that.
When you donate to our foundation, you give the gifts of hope and courage to our patients — your neighbors, friends and colleagues — who are currently facing a cancer diagnosis. Your gifts help inspire a new generation of fighters and advocates.
Working together, we can ensure everyone can access leading-edge cancer treatments and unrivaled care right here at home.
