Delores & Ann's Story

Mothers and daughters may share many similarities, but Delores (pictured left) and Ann (pictured right) never thought they would both have breast cancer within a month of each other.

During her second round with breast cancer in May 2019, Delores had her mammogram, biopsy and surgery done in Iowa City.
Since Delores only has half of a left lung – due to previously having lung cancer – she was trying to find the best place for her treatment and one that could protect her left lung.

Delores chose to come to the Hall-Perrine Cancer Center for her treatment after her surgery because she was offered the deep inspiration breath hold (DIBH) technique that would minimize the radiation dose to her heart and lung. Plus, Ann, her daughter, had a close friend who has gone through her own cancer journey at the Hall-Perrine Cancer Center and highly recommended it.

Delores’ treatment ended in September 2019. Because Delores had breast cancer at age 50, bladder cancer at age 75, lung cancer at age 78 and breast cancer again at age 83, Ann has been having mammograms since she was 35 years old as advised by her primary care provider. A month after Delores’ treatment ended, Ann was diagnosed with breast cancer in Iowa City.

“Seeing my mom go through cancer four times with such a good attitude, good faith and great support from family and friends, I knew that I could do it too,” Ann said.

Because Ann saw how well the medical oncologists treated her mother and how everything she needed was in one building, Ann continued her cancer journey at the Hall-Perrine Cancer Center in October 2019.

Ann initially met with Medical Oncologist Jasmine Nabi, MD, and later, met with Medical Oncologist Deb Wilbur, MD, to discuss each phase Ann would go through during her cancer journey. Ann received chemotherapy and then had Surgical Oncologist Vincent Reid, MD, FACS, perform a lumpectomy. Ann received radiation treatments and consultations from Janet Merfeld, MD, FACRO, and received a targeted therapy called Herceptin infusions which is a medication that helps slow or stop the growth of cancer cells.
Both Ann and Delores are seen by Dr. Wilbur and report they “love her!”

“We both have said so many times how nice ALL the staff are and that we loved that everything was in one building with great parking,” Ann said. “We also loved how efficient they were with scheduling and answering questions. The communication between the doctors, nurses and therapy department was amazing. We highly recommend it for anyone that has to have any cancer treatment.”
With Especially for You® assistance, Ann was able to receive a wig for free after she lost her hair during treatment. Ann has supported and walked in the annual EFY race for many years in support of her mom and close friends. Now, she has a personal link to the EFY fund.

Today, Delores and Ann are cancer-free and proved they are tougher than cancer!