‘The best possible treatment’ received at Conemaugh

It was just a routine mammogram at Conemaugh Hospital. Jodi Holland had many mammograms over the years. And with no family history of breast cancer, she was looking beyond this and planning a range of family activities for her husband, son and daughter.

But those plans quickly changed when the checkup turned out to be anything but routine. A biopsy and genetic testing were conducted. The biopsy, conducted last January, uncovered a small cancerous mass in her left breast.

“The immediate plan was to do a lumpectomy and check the lymph nodes,” said Jodi, 53, an assistant at the Cambria County Library. The lumpectomy was done in February.

Her plans changed again, however, when genetic testing showed she had a gene mutation that made her 30 percent more susceptible for cancer to recur.

“My doctor at Conemaugh (oncologist Ibrahim Sbeitan) strongly recommended I have a bilateral (double) mastectomy to stave off a recurrence,” she said.

After discussing options with her husband – Pastor Toby Holland of the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Johnstown – Jodi planned on the bilateral mastectomy.

“There was a lot of initial sadness, but we have great faith in the Conemaugh doctors and in Christ,” said Pastor Toby. “So, we talked more with the doctors, came up with a plan and worked the plan to successfully travel this road.”

They weren’t traveling alone.

Renee Arlo, MD, performed the bilateral mastectomy and Kamran Shayesteh, MD, performed breast reconstruction – concurrent with the mastectomy on May 1. Follow-up radiation was done by Ali Tunio, MD, radiation oncology.

“Everyone at Conemaugh provided exceptional care. The doctors, nurses, radiation techs, schedulers, everyone was wonderful. They’re a fabulous group of extremely caring, compassionate and talented people who really cared for me as an individual,” Jodi said.

“All of them were just a phone call away. If there was something that I needed or questions that I had, it was just a matter of picking up the phone.

Once she started meeting with the various doctors, “making the correct decisions and having the procedures, I felt in control,” she said. “I knew exactly what was going on and there was a lot of quick progress. Having a good plan – and strong faith – enabled me to move forward quickly with confidence.”

In fact, five days after surgery concluded, Jodi traveled to Penn State University to watch her daughter (a Kent State sophomore) perform in a marching-band halftime show.

“My advice for other women facing breast cancer is to take a deep breath, rely on your family and friends, and – of course – your medical team. Have faith that your medical team will provide you the best possible treatment,” she said. “They certainly did for me at Conemaugh.”

Shown From left, Dr. Renee Arlow, Jodi Holland and Melissa Myers, nurse navigator