The stereotypical bartender listens patiently as patrons bare their souls. Coopersburg Fire Company bartender Maureen Carney gained heightened compassion for her customers’ troubles as she faced challenges of her own. At age 36, she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer.

“Having a life-threatening disease puts things into perspective,” she said. “I appreciate everything and can help my customers find positive things in their own lives. When they hear my story, their own problems don’t seem so overwhelming.”

About a year ago, Maureen experienced sharp pains in her breast that worsened with her menstrual periods. She saw nurse practitioner Elizabeth Grusmeder-Smith of Stoneridge OB/GYN Associates, who urged Maureen to have a mammogram immediately. Results and further testing revealed cancer.

Maureen selected Bux-Mont Oncology/Hematology Medical Associates for treatment. Her medical oncologist, Alan Kaufman, MD, diagnosed her as having inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) – a rare but very aggressive type of disease in which cancer cells block lymph vessels in the skin of the breast. It is called “inflammatory” because the breast often looks swollen and red and may be characterized by an inverted nipple. More prevalent among younger women, IBC accounts for 1 to 5 percent of all breast cancer cases in the U.S.

To make matters worse, a PET scan revealed tumors in Maureen’s lymph nodes and liver – a sign the cancer had spread to other parts of her body. To combat the disease, Dr. Kaufman developed an aggressive treatment plan that included hemotherapy to prevent further growth and spread of the tumors and radiation therapy to reduce or eliminate tumors in her lymph nodes and breast. Given Maureen’s young age, he suggested she receive a second opinion. He explained that Grand View is a Fox Chase Cancer Center Partner, and one of the benefits of this distinction is a Second Opinion Service.

Grand View’s Second Opinion Service Coordinator Susan Tisdale Lezoche scheduled an appointment for Maureen at Fox Chase Cancer Center and provided physicians there with medical records needed to review Maureen’s case. “Fox Chase did a thorough evaluation of the recommendations Dr. Kaufman made,” Maureen said, “and supported the plan of treatment he outlined.”

Maureen’s treatment began with several rounds of chemotherapy at the Infusion Center located in Grand View’s Outpatient Center at Sellersville. She continues to receive radiation treatment at Grand View under the supervision of radiation oncologist Maureen’s Fight against Inflammatory Breast Cancer.  Martin Hightower, MD. To reduce her cancer risk, she decided to have a double mastectomy even though the cancer had not spread to the left breast. Surgeon John Pagan, MD, performed the surgery.

Maureen has never second-guessed her decision to receive all of her treatment at Grand View, despite urgings from her Drexel Hill family to seek treatment in
Philadelphia. Maureen knew she would receive high-quality treatment at Grand View without the hassles of the city. She also felt comforted by the caring attitude at Grand View.

“The staff here is wonderful,” she said. “After surgery, my stay was awesome. The nurses were great. I have no complaints. I recovered so quickly. The night
of my surgery, I walked out to the nurses’ station and started handing out cookies.” Maureen also speaks highly of Breast Care Coordinator Suzanne Campbell’s devotion to her job. Suzanne assisted Maureen with scheduling tests and appointments.

A PET scan taken in April showed Maureen is now cancer-free. That is miraculous given the ferocity of IBC. Although statistics show that IBC is an aggressive type of cancer, Maureen doesn’t give too much credence to the numbers. They do not predict a person’s outcome. “I’m an individual, not a statistic,” Maureen said. “It’s been a long haul and it’s not over yet. Someone has survived every type of cancer, no matter how menacing. I’m determined to beat the odds and talk about it when I’m 80.”