Silvana Florian-Maldonado’s 8-year-old daughter,
Noah, was with her when she went to get her
biopsy. The results were a shock: triple negative
breast cancer, an aggressive form of the disease. The mom
was just 29, engaged to be married and a first grade
teacher at a charter school in New Jersey.
“The first thing that pops in your head when you have
cancer is that you’re going to die. It’s scary,” said Silvana.
Her then-fiancé, Heriberto Maldonado, petitioned to
leave his training with the National Guard at Fort Dix as
Silvana’s team of doctors at the John Theurer Cancer Center
at Hackensack University Medical Center quickly developed
a robust treatment plan to fight the Stage II
cancer.
“I had back-to-back appointments,” she remembered.
“I felt I was in good hands; I didn’t doubt them.”
As part of the comprehensive care, the team also addressed
topics important to younger patients, like Silvana,
such as body image and fertility preservation.
“We try to address all those issues in the context of a
life-threatening illness. There’s a complexity; it’s not just
about the cancer,” said Deena Mary Atieh Graham, MD, a
medical oncologist who specializes in treating breast and
gynecologic cancers.
Breast cancer is rare in women under 40 and less than
fifth of cases overall are triple negative, meaning the hormones
that fuel most tumors are absent. That can make
treatment tougher since it excludes therapies and drugs
that target hormones. Chemotherapy remains a good option
to shrink the tumor, however. In August 2016, within
a month of her diagnosis, Silvana began six months of the
treatment.
It was hard on her, Silvana said, but effective.
“She had a beautiful response to chemo and I felt she
was a borderline candidate for breast conservation,” said
Tara M. Balija, MD, a breast surgeon who was, in fact, able
to perform a lumpectomy in February 2017.
Two months of radiation followed for Silvana. She has
been in remission for a year and her prognosis is good,
the doctors say.
“It was a miracle – a miracle of God and science,” said
Silvana, who lauded her collaborative team at the cancer
center, comprised of a half-dozen doctors, including a geneticist
and a radiologist, and a research nurse who met
weekly to discuss the case as part of a “tumor board.” Nutritionists,
nurses, social workers and others rounded out
the comprehensive care.
“The doctors and the nurses are great. They’re sensitive
to you,” said Silvana. “They take the time to explain
things and are very thorough.”
To be sure, the journey wasn’t easy.
“It wasn’t a walk in the park, but I can’t complain. I’m
counting my blessings,” said Silvana, now 31. “I do see
things differently now. I embrace every day.”
Noah was a great source of moral support and Heriberto
accompanied Silvana to every treatment – as her husband.
The pair wed at Clifton City Hall on the morning of
Aug. 29, 2016 – the day Silvana started chemotherapy. The
couple, which later had church wedding, still play the date
08/29/16 in the lottery.
“Getting cancer was my greatest fear, and it came true,
so now I say my fear is winning the Mega Millions,” Silvana
joked.
The family is preparing to face another challenge as
Heriberto, a staff sergeant, is set to deploy to Djibouti in
January. Silvana’s team at the cancer center still closely
monitors her progress.
“We continue to follow our patients. We don’t graduate
them to survivorship care,” said Dr. Graham. “We provide
cutting-edge care and support throughout. It’s an
honor to be a part of it.”
By Katherine Emmanouilidis
BC Health, Beauty & Fitness 15