LIVING WITH PURPOSE
“No way is it cancer.”
That’s what Jessica Jones was thinking while standing in the shower with a flurry of what-ifs racing through her head. She had felt a lump. She was only 32.
When her breast cancer diagnosis was confirmed, it was devastating.
At her first appointment, her Roper St. Francis surgical oncologist spent an hour talking with her. He explained the treatments, how much time they would take and most importantly he told her she could beat this. Her doctor, Paul Baron, MD with Breast and Melanoma Specialists of Charleston, even called to check in on her later that evening.
“He made me feel like I was the only one there and the only one he was thinking about and trying to help,” Jessica said.
Today, Jessica is beating cancer thanks, in part, to the expertise of the Roper St. Francis Cancer Care team.
The Mount Pleasant woman says she feels better now than before cancer. Why? Because she’s living with purpose.
Her job as a pharmacist now means more. “I’ve learned a lot about why I am here,” Jessica said. “I know what it feels like to go through this kind of challenge. Now I hold people’s hands and help them rather than just saying: ‘Here’s your medicine.’”
WORLD-CLASS CANCER CARE WITH A PERSONAL TOUCH
Roper St. Francis is the area leader in comprehensive breast care services with a network of world-class experts.
Roper St. Francis doctors and nurses prepare patients mentally and physically for the fight ahead. At the center of our program are the Breast Nurse Navigators who guide patients through the entire treatment process.
“Patients want information given to them in clear, understandable terms,” said Teresa Pischner, breast nurse navigator. “They want it delivered in a compassionate and unhurried manner. And they may need it repeated more than once.”
MOTHER’S STORY
hen Meghan Uram learned she had cancer, she feared for more than just herself. She was four months pregnant. She needed assurance that her baby boy would be alright. On the day of her surgery, nurses held her hand.
“They even were kind enough to go upstairs and bring down an OB/GYN doctor just to reiterate to me that everything was going to be ok with the baby,” said the 35-year-old Charleston mom.
“They actually put a fetal heart monitor on before and after the surgery so that I could see and know that everything was OK.”
Today, Meghan and her now 2-1/2 year-old son, Oliver, are healthy. The obstacle she faced seemed insurmountable. But the team at Roper St. Francis helped her find the strength to fight, and now she is winning.
“I’m very grateful that he’s here and he’s doing so well,” Meghan said of Oliver. “He’s a special little one. He has brought so much joy to our family.” 
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