An inspirational story: Lesley Weihs

The importance of routine screening — Lesley's story

Lesley Weihs is a poster child for the importance of the annual mammogram.

She didn’t have a family history of breast cancer, hadn’t felt a lump she was just taking part in her routine screening, which uncovered her breast cancer.

“Because it was deep, it couldn't be felt by my surgeon, gynecologist or myself,” she said. “It was quick growing and would have been malignant by the time it could have been felt.”

"Screening is everything — I owe my life to them!"

Weihs, a registered nurse who manages Employee Health at TidalHealth, said the organization came through for her.

“From the tech who first found it, all of the initial testing, surgery here at the hospital, and the TidalHealth Breast Center on Snow Hill Road, everyone was compassionate and caring. Dr. Walker was an absolute gem! Having your peers there to support you throughout the operative process made it so much easier for me.”

There can be a downside to having too much inside knowledge, she said.

“The flip side is seeing people have recurrences of their cancer and knowing it's a possibility I have to live with.”

Her co-workers brightened her experience as a caring network, she said.

“They brought meals after surgery, donuts from Corner Bakery (if you know, you know), and were there all the way throughout my healing.”

That healing process can be difficult.

"You know what is best for you..."

“The most challenging part of the treatment was the drains,” she said. “Anyone who has had a mastectomy will agree that they are an aggravation. The wait is also challenging, because once you find out you have cancer, you want it out of your body ASAP. I was fortunate enough to not need IV chemotherapy or radiation post-surgery; just five years of taking an estrogen blocker to hopefully prevent recurrence. While I experienced some bone loss during my treatment, I feel like I got off easy.”

Weihs has a few words of advice for anyone facing a similar diagnosis: “Screening is everything — I owe my life to them! Make sure you are comfortable with your care team; even if you are in the medical field, don't pretend to know everything. Everyone’s story is unique, and everyone has a different take on the decisions they make about surgery and care. You know what is best for you, and don't base your decisions on what other people think or want for you.”