< Previous“T ake charge of your health.” That’s the mes- sage Bill Garwood, breast cancer survivor and associate vice presi- dent of finance for suburban hospi- tals with UTMB, wants to leave with the people who read his story. Diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer in December 2018, Garwood has been cancer-free since the mastectomy he had in 2019. How- ever, had he not been in tune with his body and made time to address his concerns, his outcome may have been much worse. “I’ve always been diligent with exercise and getting annual phys- icals,” he said, noting that he had his annual exam with his primary care provider just seven days before his cancer diagnosis on Dec. 18, 2018. At the time of his appointment, he felt completely fine and didn’t have the slightest suspicion he might have something serious brewing inside of him. That all changed a few days later when he felt a pain on the right side of his chest while he was lying in bed. “Initially, I didn’t think anything of it,” he said. When he felt the pain again during the day while at work, he pressed on the area of discomfort and felt something hard. That was enough for him to call his doctor and schedule another appointment. That appointment was followed by a visit to the UTMB League City Campus where he had an ultrasound and biopsy both in the same day. When the results came back posi- tive for breast cancer, Garwood felt shock and disbelief. “I was generally aware that breast cancer could occur in men, but I never once believed it would affect me directly, because it’s rare,” he said. Current data estimates that about one out of every 100 breast cancer cases in the United States is found in a man. Garwood went on to share that his mother passed away from breast cancer when she was 35 years old, but testing at the time of his diag- nosis determined his case was not a genetic one. When he learned of his diagnosis, he immediately alerted his loved ones — including his brothers and daughters. To date, they all remain healthy and well, including Bill. They all are staying on top of their screenings and appointments, being mindful of the risk factors they have for breast cancer. For Bill, the ongoing screenings and appointments include an annual visit with the surgeon responsible for his mastectomy, Dr. Colleen Silva, professor at the UTMB Health Department of Surgery and medical director of the UTMB Breast Health and Imaging Center in League City. He also meets with his oncolo- gist every six months and currently is taking medication to keep his estrogen levels low, as the type of cancer he was diagnosed with was considered estrogen-positive breast cancer. Next month will mark five years since he began taking the daily pill, but he’s actually in the process of exploring alternatives and whether continuing with it is the best course of action for him. “My oncologist is talking about the possibility of continuing it for an additional five years just because of current science in that area,” he said, adding that while the medica- tion is keeping his estrogen levels in check, it also is interrupting the way his body absorbs calcium, which is problematic. “When I meet with my oncologist next time, we’ll talk through my options and determine the best path forward, because if I stop the estro- gen-regulating medication, there’s a small chance the cancer could come back,” he said. So, while chemotherapy, surger- ies and radiation may be a thing of Garwood’s past, staying on top of his health and risks for cancer is top of mind daily. And despite the drawbacks of the medications, he explains it’s still better than the alternative of not being here at all. Since defeating cancer, he’s gone on to make numerous memories with his many loved ones, including two granddaughters. By his side through it all has been his wife of more than 40 years. Telling his wife about his diagnosis all those years ago was quite chal- lenging, he said. “I hated having to tell my wife,” Garwood said. “I know, at least in my wife’s case, she was really scared she was going to lose me.” But Garwood never had any doubt in his mind he’d come out on the other side of his battle. “In my mind, there was never a question that I was going to beat it and get through it and be healthy,” he said. “I think for the actual person going through the journey, you have to decide you’re going to beat it.” MEN AREN’T IMMUNE TO BREAST CANCER Bill Garwood’s story of survival 10 | THE DAILY NEWS | THINK PINK | 2024 DR. COLLEEN SILVA2024 | THINK PINK | THE DAILY NEWS | 11 F or Elizabeth “Liz- zie” Hernandez, the work she does as a patient nav- igator and pro- gram coordinator with the Breast and Cervical Cancer Care Programs at UTMB Health is personal. “My mother had breast can- cer,” she said, noting that she also lost a niece and brother to other types of cancers, too. Having so much firsthand experience with the devas- tating impacts of the disease, Hernandez loves being able to help others affected as well. “I enjoy working with pa- tients near and far,” she said. “I love to help those in need.” An employee at UTMB Health for more than three decades, she’s been in her current role, which consists of helping patients access neces- sary treatments and care, for 15 years. Among other things, the Gal- veston native credits the work she does with teaching her to always practice patience. Some of the individuals she assists in her role are unin- sured, so part of her job is to help them apply for Medicaid for Breast and Cervical Cancer (MBCC). “Our Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Services (BCCS) are part of a grant from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC),” she said. “This grant allows UTMB to provide no- cost screening and diagnostic breast and cervical services to uninsured women that are below 200 percent of the Fed- eral Poverty Level. Everyone at UTMB cares and works as a team for the uninsured pa- tients we are able to assist.” Besides an unmatched level of empathy, Hernandez also brings a willingness to listen to each and every patient. She’s also bilingual and speaks Spanish, which comes in handy on the job, she said. Recently, her supervisor, Deana Gehring, who serves as a program manager within the UTMB Health Comprehensive Cancer Center, went out of her way to share just how great Hernandez is at what she does. “I can’t even begin to tell you how much of a positive impact she has had over the years for hundreds of our breast and cervical cancer patients,” she said. “She is truly amazing.” For Hernandez, though, the impact is a mutual one. “The smiles and hugs I’ve received from patients I’ve helped has to be the most memorable part of the job,” she said. HELPING PATIENTS NAVIGATE THE UNKNOWN Lizzie Hernandez’s story12 | THE DAILY NEWS | THINK PINK | 2024 The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB Health) honors Breast Cancer Survivors for International Breast Reconstruction Awareness (BRA) Day League City Campus (Evening) Wednesday, October 16, 2024 from 5:30 - 7:30 PM 2240 Gulf Freeway South, League City, TX - 2nd Floor Sky Bridge 5:30 - 6:00 PM 6:00 PM 6:15 PM 6:30 PM 6:50 PM 7:00 PM 7:30 PM Sign in and visit with vendors; view & vote on Decorated Bra contest submissions Welcoming Remarks and introduction of honorary speakers Honorary speaker; Jill Resendez, NP (Surgery) and Breast Cancer Warriors BRA Runway Show Zumba with Perla D Fitness Closing Remarks and Door Prize Winners Announced Shop till you drop AGENDA League City Campus (Afternoon) Wednesday, October 16, 2024 from 12 - 1:30 PM 2240 Gulf Freeway South, League City, TX - 2nd Floor Sky Bridge Lunch with Gabriel, a K-9 Comfort Dog, and a Q&A session with breast health information. Galveston Campus Wednesday, October 16, 2024 from 7:30 - 8:30 AM 1005 Harborside Drive, Galveston, TX - UHC Entrance Walk for reconstruction around our beautiful campus, breast health information from physicians, and light refreshments. Join us wherever you are for your walk, wear pink, take a photo and share it with #utmbbraday2024! Angleton Danbury Campus Wednesday, October 16, 2024 from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM 132 East Hospital Drive, Angleton, TX Paint the town pink to celebrate the healing and personal growth journeys of our breast cancer warriors. BRA DAY Resilience in Reconstruction Closing the loop on breast cancerNext >