Since Dana Wedel’s initial breast cancer diagnosis, she’s experienced despair as well as hope. She’s lived in isolation, and she’s been surrounded by support. She’s felt immobilized by fear, as well as motivated by faith in the future. She says she’s learned to balance the highs and lows of her journey by carefully holding both at the same time.
“This journey has somehow allowed me to make true the holding of opposites. It seems difficult, and like a spiritual task, and yet that’s what I feel I do all the time with a metastatic, or terminal, disease. I’m holding the limits of my life, and at the same time I’m holding hope… Hope that in the end, all really is good. No matter what happens with me personally, I hope that it is good with me and with my son.”
Dana is the loving mother of 15-year-old Cy. Since Cy’s dad passed away, and their extended family lives out of state, Dana and Cy are each other’s worlds.
“I really want to see him grown,” Dana said. “That feeling gets so intense for me, but also, it’s my motivational drive. It’s both of those things: My strongest wound and my strongest catalyst.”
After undergoing surgery and radiation at a local hospital in 2019, Dana’s breast cancer went undetectable throughout the COVID pandemic. Then, in 2022, Dana’s worst fear became reality: Her cancer returned, and it had spread to several places in her body.
“My first oncologist seemed bewildered by it and didn’t know what to do, so I really wanted second opinions,” Dana remembered.
Dana met several women at Breast Friends, a nonprofit support group for women facing breast cancer, who recommended seeking care at Compass Oncology.
“When I told the Compass doctor that my previous oncologist didn’t give me much hope and didn’t really know what to do besides the drug I was currently on, he looked a little shocked. He said, ‘Well, they’re not up on their research, because here’s all the things I would recommend for you.’ Turns out, he specializes in treating women just like me!” Dana said.
Connecting with physicians who maintain expertise in the latest research and prioritize providing access to the newest clinical trials, gave Dana hope.
In addition to a different approach to care, Dana noticed that Compass offered distinct and positive energy.
“The vibe is peaceful and contented, and that felt very different to me. The staff at Compass seem happy and relaxed, and it comes across in the care they give. Plus, my physician is extremely knowledgeable, and he always has a plan and a backup plan. One thing that has really stood out to me is, from the moment I walked in, my doctor has always treated me as a living person and not as someone who is dying,” Dana said.
Since transferring care to Compass, Dana has participated in multiple clinical trials targeting breast cancer cells. She’s taken oral chemo drugs as well as received regular infusions at Compass Cancer Centers, and she’s spent significant time with Compass team members.
“From the front desk to the medical assistants, physician assistants, and nurses, everyone is willing to connect, and they show up compassionately. It floors me. I don’t know how they do it again and again,” Dana said. “I don’t have bad days when I come to Compass – even when I’m getting, sometimes, really bad news. I don’t want to be dramatic about it, but at Compass you really feel taken care of … it feels like family.”
Initially, the clinical trials Dana participated in worked wonderfully well, but over time, those treatments stopped being effective. So, although reluctant, Dana recently transitioned from targeted chemotherapy to a chemotherapy that attacks all quickly dividing cells (Dana and her doctor call it “wrecking ball chemo”).
“Wrecking ball chemo has been more difficult for my body, and I have less strength, yet there is still much to love in my life,” Dana said. “What I’ve found throughout this journey is that my worst fear can happen, and I still love my life. There’s still so much to be grateful for! I’ve learned this lesson time and again, and I will continue learning to apply it to the next stage of life and this river that I’m traveling,” Dana said.
Dana expressed deep gratitude to her biggest cheerleader - her sweet son, Cy - as well as to the Compass team members who continue walking alongside her.