An Advocate to Help You Every Step of the Way

When facing a breast cancer diagnosis, some women prefer to face the challenge privately, while others are more open about their illness and treatment.

And then there’s Lori Rineer.

After Lori was diagnosed with breast cancer, she injected her creative wit and zest for life into her battle, making sure that everyone she encountered knew that she was not going to let it change who she was.

“It was just me being me,” says the 45-year-old graphic designer and mother of two from Pequea about the unconventional ways she dealt with her treatment.

While undergoing chemotherapy treatment she routinely decorated her head, including as a birthday cake, a smiley face, even a Christmas ornament. She even designed temporary tattoos to cover her surgical areas.

Let’s just say, if laughter is indeed the best medicine, Lori and those who know her are going to be healthy for a long, long time.

“Her way of coping was quite different than what a lot of other people would do,” says Lynn Fantom, RN, BSN, Breast Care Coordinator at Lancaster General. “But there is no wrong way for a woman to approach breast cancer, as long as she feels comfortable with her decisions.”

So how can she be sure she’s making the best decisions for her care?

Center for Breast Health

Whether facing treatment openly or privately, one thing no woman ever has to do is face her diagnosis and treatment alone… especially when she has the Suzanne H. Arnold Center for Breast Health at Lancaster General by her side.

The Center for Breast Health  is a team of nurse navigators, genetic counselors, radiologists, surgeons, radiation and medical oncologists, mammography technologists and support staff, says Kathy Harrison, Lancaster General Vice President of Operations. They make sure that from the moment a patient hears her diagnosis, she has an advocate who understands the process and helps her navigate options for her care.

Lynn was there for Lori the moment she learned her diagnosis. “I was someone she could turn to for whatever she needed, whenever she needed it,” she says. Lynn sees an average of 25-30 new breast cancer patients a month through referrals from doctors, as does fellow coordinator Amy Jo Pixley, RN, BSN.

“Breast cancer care is very complex, and we want each woman to know what is available to them and make sure no patient goes without anything she needs during treatment,” Lynn says. “No matter what she decides to do… even if she decides to do nothing… she can contact me any time for any reason.”

Lori had family and friends who were with her every step of the way. Two of her friends even shaved their heads in a tremendous show of love and support for their friend during her chemotherapy treatment.

Even with her friends, she still relied on Lynn’s support and expertise, especially during the rough days of her treatment – through the chemotherapy, radiation therapy and the double mastectomy – when tears and exhaustion overpowered her laughter.

“Lynn was there for every appointment,” Lori says. “She was there for the diagnosis. She was there for issues I needed to talk about. She was there to laugh at all of my jokes. Most importantly, she made sure things got done. It’s an amazing thing to have someone like that in your corner.”

Kathy agrees. “It’s a special person that can do the job that our nurse navigators do. We are fortunate to have some very talented and trusted guides at the Center for Breast Health .”

With so much on their plate, Lynn says she does everything she can to reduce the stress level as much as possible for patients. “I also keep them focused on ‘you,’ and what ‘you’ want to do with your treatment.”

She says she never forgets a patient, but working with Lori has been a particularly memorable experience.

“Lori was an inspiration to me. You just never knew what humorous way she was going to be dressed next,” Lynn says.

Inspired to Run

Lori further inspired others when in October—one year after her breast cancer surgery, she ran in a half marathon in Baltimore, raising money for the Center for Breast Health .

“I’m not a runner, but once I started feeling better and gaining energy, I wanted to do something new and different,” Lori says. She not only finished the 13.1 mile run, but raised nearly $2,300, which will go to help many of the programs supported by the Center for Breast Health .

The Center for Breast Health  provides women with grants of up to $500 for necessities they may need but cannot afford during treatment – wigs, medication, even groceries.

Initiatives like these are supported in part by an annual grant from Susan G. Komen for the Cure Breast Cancer Foundation.

Volunteers also provide support to breast cancer patients through a pillow ministry to provide heartshaped pillows for post-surgical patients and a shawl ministry.

“Everybody wants to find a cure for breast cancer, but I wanted to support an organization that helps local women who are dealing with it right now,” Lori says of her decision to raise money for the Center for Breast Health.

On June 2, the Center for Breast Health  moves to its new facility at the Lancaster General Health Campus, on the first floor of Medical Office 2104. This provides a centralized home for the many services offered. Lancaster General also provides two breast cancer support groups for women: Iris Connection for women over 45, and Fly Sisterz for women under 45.

“Women in these age groups have different issues and different attitudes toward their illness,” Lynn says. For example, younger women face fertility concerns and the possibility of menopause at a younger age.