But one day last fall, Louise found herself needing someone to help alleviate her stress and anxiety. Within a few hours after having a mammogram and ultrasound, Louise was facing a biopsy and nervously awaiting the results at Lancaster General Women & Babies Hospital.

Details of the day remain a blur. Louise remembers calling her husband and knowing that two nurses held her hands throughout the biopsy. “I appreciated that so much,” she recalls.

Michelle Farnan, MSN, RN, CLM, Lancaster General Breast Care Center Coordinator, was one of the nurses holding Louise’s hand. In the months to come, Michelle would be there for her again and again. She became a tremendous support and resource for Louise as she progressed through her cancer diagnosis and treatment. 

“When someone gives you bad news, you don’t think straight,” Louise says. “You do not remember things. You think you’re in your right mind, but you’re not. That’s why it’s so helpful to have someone like Michelle there to help you and be an advocate for you.”

In her role, Michelle synchronizes breast care services for women of all ages. She works closely with the other staff members, including another nurse, lymphedema specialists and the hospital radiology department.

“My goal is two-fold. I want to make sure women receive the care they need. I also want to relieve some of the stress that they experience during breast cancer diagnosis, treatment and recovery,” Michelle says. “Finding out you have breast cancer is never easy. But if I can answer a woman’s questions and give her the confidence and strength to move through the healthcare system, then I feel that I’m making a difference.”

Since its start a few years ago, the center (located in the Women’s Pavilion of the Lancaster General Women & Babies Hospital) has truly blossomed into a community resource. The Women’s Health Boutique provides a full range of specialty items for breast cancer patients. The Women’s Education & Wellness Center includes books, videos, Internet access and trained professionals who can help women and their families.

Michelle has been developing yoga and exercise classes designed specifically for breast cancer patients. As a certified instructor in Focus on Healing, the Lebed Method ®, she says therapeutic exercise can help breast cancer survivors recover physically and emotionally.

“Unlike some exercise and yoga classes, these classes are not about building muscle or breaking a sweat. They’re about improving range of motion, having fun, opening the mind and relaxing,” Michelle exlains.

Women also appreciate the special touches that the center provides. The Heart Pillow Ministry is a tangible way of reaching out to patients. Volunteers from local churches, community groups and the hospital sew pink heart-shaped pillows that the center gives to every breast cancer patient. The pillows help elevate a patient’s arms following surgery and remind them that people really care about what they are experiencing.

A source of ongoing strength for many breast cancer survivors is the monthly support group. Although Louise finished her treatment, she continues her involvement with the group and hopes that her sense of humor and perspective can help other women.

Virtually every aspect of the Breast Care Center was designed with input from community members – real women who shared what types of services would help women facing breast cancer.

For more information on the Breast Care Center, please call 544-3755.