Tracy Ruckman didn’t always do monthly breast self-exams as often as she knew she should have, typically only when she remembered. This is why she is so thankful she remembered to do an exam at the beginning of the month in February 2023. She didn’t find anything abnormal on that particular day, but when she saw a lump on her breast later that month, she was concerned. Ruckman immediately took action.
“I’m grateful to have discovered the lump so quickly,” Ruckman said. “The regular shower exam at the first of the month was normal, but 10 days later I spotted a golf ball sized lump in the mirror. I took immediate action and was scheduled for a mammogram and ultrasound within a week. Interestingly, the mammogram discovered another lump, deep inside, that could not be felt.”
Ruckman had not had positive medical experiences in the past and she was hesitant to seek care. That is, until she experienced the AdventHealth way of care delivery.
After discovering a lump in her breast, Ruckman was referred to AdventHealth Redmond Women’s Center for a mammogram. She was diagnosed with breast cancer which led to a lumpectomy followed by chemotherapy and radiation.
Ruckman said from the minute she walked into the AdventHealth Redmond Women’s Center everyone was compassionate, warm and caring.
“It just made a whole difference in the journey because I felt taken care of,” Ruckman said. “I felt like a person rather than a number.”
One very big difference was having a nurse navigator. AdventHealth Redmond Women’s Center nurse navigators walk alongside and help guide patients from diagnosis, through treatment, to cure and even beyond.
“What an honor it is to be with patients, helping them understand difficult information, setting them up with various resources as needs arise and making sure each patient knows she is not alone,” said Felicia Trawick, AdventHealth Redmond nurse navigator. “I cannot explain the blessings I get from being able to be with these ladies. God has allowed me the privilege to walk alongside each one in some of the most difficult days they have faced.”
Nurse navigators in a sense become the patients’ new best friend, as they are there with them at every doctor’s appointment and every treatment.
“Felicia became my navigator, and that one person, that probably made the most impact of everything,” Ruckman said. “She was there for me, and she would call once a week when I was going through chemo to see how I was doing and to check on me. I didn’t feel like I was having to go through this alone.”
Nurse navigators even take notes during doctor’s appointments so patients can take home all the information to help them remember and understand everything discussed.
“I felt like someone was there for me and was an advocate for me,” Ruckman said. “And that made a huge difference.”
The relationship between the patient and their nurse navigator is incredibly special and doesn’t end when treatment ends. Nurse navigators continue to stay in touch with former patients and check-in from time to time, even those that have been cancer-free for many years.
“She (Trawick) stays in touch with me too, and she became a friend,” Ruckman said. “I think with her compassion mixed with her knowledge of the medical field and then the personal experience she provides; this job is a perfect fit for her.”
Shortly after her diagnosis, Trawick suggested Ruckman start keeping a journal, which she did. Her journal later inspired her to write a book. While she did include her journal in the book, she didn’t want the book to be just about her. Ultimately, Ruckman wanted to help other patients like herself. This eventually became “The Pink Pages: A Practical A-Z Guide for Your Breast Cancer Journey.”
“I alphabetized different subjects so that people could flip through as needed. If they need to know about side effects, they can flip to just the side effects or bras or about all sorts of different things,” Ruckman said.
Inspired by her positive experience journaling, Ruckman also created a journal, “Days to Remember: A Journal for Your Cancer Journey,” to give patients a tool to record their own experience. She even included pages to keep track of a medicine list and doctor’s appointments. Both of her books can be found on Amazon.
As someone who admits she was not as consistent as she should have been with breast self-exams, Ruckman now sees the necessity of both monthly breast self-exams as well as annual mammograms and strongly encourages women not to put it off.
“It’s crucial to get mammograms regularly,” Ruckman said. “What if the hidden lump, discovered only by the mammogram, had gone undetected because we couldn’t see or feel it? Not something I like to consider.”
Take Ruckman’s advice and don’t risk it. Schedule a mammogram at the AdventHealth Redmond Women’s Center by calling Call706-802-3575.
Join Ruckman, AdventHealth and our community as we light our porches pink during October to show our support and lift up those who have faced or are still facing breast cancer. Visit PinkPorchGA.com to find where to pick up your free pink bulb while supplies last.