A breast cancer care journey worth traveling for

Tyeisha Stephenson-Collins of Newark, Delaware understood prioritizing her health meant more than a regular gym routine and healthy diet. Since turning 40, she has never missed scheduling her annual mammogram; 2023 was no different.

At 45 years old, she never thought she would be diagnosed with breast cancer. So, when she received a phone call from her women’s health provider, Margaret Halloran, CRNP, asking to schedule a follow-up ultrasound appointment, she thought it was regarding fatty tissue in her right breast that her providers had been monitoring for two years.

Within a week, Stephenson-Collins had her ultrasound and was referred to see Mercy Fitzgerald breast surgeon Karen Kish, MD, to schedule a biopsy.

“I remember breaking down in tears during that appointment,” Stephenson-Collins says. “The thought of having cancer frightened me and nothing had yet been confirmed.”

She is thankful for her husband’s support as she vividly remembers walking into the office of Dr. Kish to review the results of the biopsy.

“Once she told me that I had stage one breast cancer, I froze and my mind went blank,” says Stephenson-Collins. “Both my husband and Dr. Kish grabbed my hands in comfort as I sat there frozen unable to hear what was being said next.” Dr. Kish recalls “her resiliency after hearing the biopsy showed breast cancer.”

“My fears, stress and anxiety were high, but the team at Mercy Fitzgerald easily earned my trust that they would have the best treatment plan to fit my needs. Their compassion, professionalism and empathy made it easy to make the hour drive every week for chemotherapy and every day for radiation therapy.” – Tyeisha Stephenson-Collins

The oncology team at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital continued to remain a constant support system throughout Stephenson-Collins’ cancer journey.

“My fears, stress and anxiety were high, but the team at Mercy Fitzgerald easily earned my trust that they would have the best treatment plan to fit my needs,” says Stephenson-Collins. “Their compassion, professionalism and empathy made it easy to make the hour drive every week for chemotherapy and every day for radiation therapy.”

“Tyeisha has a beautiful, warm smile that lights up a room,” states Alima McCord, RN, BSN, OCN, Mercy Fitzgerald infusion nurse supervisor. “Because of the relaxed, positive and caring environment that my team and I try to foster, we were able to see that smile beginning with her first treatment. Throughout treatment, we noticed the side effects of chemotherapy beginning to interfere with Tyeisha’s daily life, but she continued to remain hopeful in the care she received that she would one day ring that bell in celebration of being cancer-free.”

“There is no more stress or anxiety surrounding myself or my family and that’s because of the compassionate oncology team at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital.” – Stephenson-Collins

Stephenson-Collins completed her chemotherapy in July 2023 and radiation therapy in September. She has since eased back into some of her normal daily activities including weightlifting, morning walks and running up the stairs in her house. Support from her family and providers were the foundation guiding her through treatment and recovery. She is excited to say that she is happy, back to being herself and feels a sense of peace within her household once again.

“There is no more stress or anxiety surrounding myself or my family and that’s because of the compassionate oncology team at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital,” says Stephenson-Collins.

Learn more about oncology services at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital.