Breast cancer patient Nadia Wismer: “I didn’t even feel a single lump”

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Nadia Wismer was already in the Christmas spirit when she went to her gynecologist in mid-December 2022. All that was left was a quick routine check of her right breast. Dr. med. Julia Talimi-Schnabel (44), a gynecologist with her own practice in Thalwil ZH and associate doctor at the Hirslanden Clinic Im Park Lake Zurich Breast Center, discovered a benign lump in her patient in February of the same year. It was now rechecked and, to Wismer’s relief, there was still no cause for concern.

But then the gynecologist also examined the left breast as standard and discovered a new lump that worried her. He immediately ordered further tests, including an MRI and biopsy, to clarify things. The terrible certainty came a little later. “On December 20, I received notification that it was a malignant tumor,” Nadia Wismer recalls. “At first it was a shock to me.” But the medical practice assistant (MPA) quickly caught up. “From then on there was only one direction for me: Do something quickly, get everything done as quickly as possible.”

The procedure was determined together with doctor Julia Talimi-Schnabel: an emergency surgery, followed by chemotherapy and radiation. The very next day, Wismer went to Hirslanden Clinic Im Park, where the tumor was removed a day later. “It meant a lot to me that it became clear so quickly what was going to happen next and that I didn’t have to wait until after Christmas for further steps,” he says. She is very grateful that her doctor discovered the lump; especially since it’s a bulge that grows so quickly. “I also check in with myself regularly,” says Wismer. «I have had a few benign erections in the past and therefore I take careful precautions. But I didn’t feel that single knot.”

Prevention and regular check-ups

That’s why regular check-ups are so important, in addition to your own precautions, says doctor Julia Talimi-Schnabel. This also applies to young patients, including Nadia Wismer. There are several ways to diagnose breast cancer. “Changes in the breasts can be detected by palpation, ultrasound or mammography. If breast cancer is suspected, a biopsy is definitely done.” Some women came to her with symptoms, complaints or a tangible finding. “In some, it is noticed during a routine examination (e.g. mammography).”

The doctor says it’s never easy to diagnose a woman with cancer, even after many years in the business. However, since I usually do the preliminary examinations myself, I can prepare patients carefully in case of suspicious findings.”

Being able to offer something immediately when you have questions

Talimi-Schnabel says some women react to bad news in a very matter-of-fact and calm way. The same thing happened with Nadia Wismer. «He has a strong personality and is very thoughtful. Following the diagnostic discussion, she expressed her desire to move forward as quickly as possible.” Other patients would be stunned by the bad news and need time to understand the new situation. «Nadia’s openness and strength naturally helped me through this difficult conversation. Especially as it was still Christmas time It was a very emotional phase in itself.

Nadia Wismer quickly asked many questions: Do I need surgery? Do I need chemotherapy? “It would be good if you can respond immediately and offer something,” says expert Talimi-Schnabel. “In the best case scenario, it’s the whole package.” Just as it is standard at Lake Zurich Breast Center (see box) as a certified breast center. This versatile package includes not only the best possible treatments, but also a full care team of experts in gynecology, surgery, plastic surgery, medical oncology, tissue examinations, radiology, radiation oncology, nuclear medicine. , genetic and psycho-oncological care. This group of experts meets regularly in what is called a tumor board to discuss each case.

These interdisciplinary case discussions ensure high-quality, comprehensive care; The Lake Zurich Breast Center has been awarded the quality label for breast centers by the Swiss Cancer Society and the Swiss Society of Senology. The interdisciplinary competence center, where diseases (tumor diseases) are comprehensively cared for and treated by specialist doctors and expert staff, meets nearly 100 quality criteria. This is evidence of established processes of excellent quality.

The comprehensive care of every breast cancer patient at the Lake Zurich Breast Center also includes a Breast Care Nurse (see consultation box), who is present during preliminary examinations such as biopsies, if requested, and also from the moment of surgery. diagnosis – to cope with the difficult moment in the best possible way.

I am convinced of the attention of professionals

“After thirty years of MPA, I vowed to put the medical part of my life to rest for a while,” says Nadia Wismer. “I’m tired of this industry. Now I was in the middle of everything with all my might, but as a patient. And as before, I was suddenly affected instead of the others.

But many specialists at the Breast Center in Lake Zurich and the Hirslanden Clinic Im Park showed him how good medical care could be in Switzerland. «Thanks to this wide network of professional people, I felt taken care of from the first moment. This helped me a lot.” Added to this was the fact that she could operate so quickly. Just one day after the procedure, on December 23, Nadia Wismer was able to leave the clinic again and celebrate Christmas with her loved ones.

The fears that still haunt Nadia Wismer emerged a little later.

Read part 2 tomorrow.

Source : Blick