How We Take a Stand
Q&A with Nicole Piotrowski, RN
Stories of hope are contagious. In that spirit, we’re talking to members of the Vori Health team who have battled breast cancer about the personal choices that power their fight. Read on to hear from Nicole Piotrowski, RN, a registered nurse and certified health coach at Vori Health who stood by her aunt’s side as a primary caregiver.
How did your family member find out about her diagnosis?
Six years ago, my aunt picked up the phone to cancel her annual exam with her primary doctor. She wanted to put it off, but something told her to ‘just go.’ She went in and her doctor felt something right away. The cancer had already spread — she was diagnosed with stage 3, triple positive breast cancer. After undergoing chemotherapy, a double mastectomy, and radiation, followed by years of hormone lowering medication, she is thankfully now in remission.
What was your role as her caregiver?
As her niece, goddaughter, and the nurse in the family, I took charge of all things medical — appointment scheduling, getting her into a specialty integrative breast cancer clinic, medical translation for family members, etc. I attended appointments with her whenever I could. I sat alongside her for chemo treatments, playing Bananagrams and making healthy popsicles to combat her nausea. When it came time for her surgery, I wanted to be there for her physically and emotionally, so I took time off from work to help her and her daughter post-operatively. I managed her medications, taught dressing changes and drain emptying, made food runs and tried to provide some smiles along the way. On the bright side, we got to binge watch This Is Us, our favorite show:).
What kept you inspired through this journey?
There is so much in life that is unexpected; all you can do is look to those you love to lift you up. I lost my mother to pancreatic cancer as well as other aunts and uncles to other various cancers over the years. Let’s just say: My family did not win a genetic lottery. We did, however, hit the jackpot in kind, generous, and selfless relatives. Family means everything to me, and I would do it all again for any one of my family members, but especially for my “fairy godmother,” Karen, who is a second mother to me and who I would never want to live without.
Ways to power your health?
Only worry about what you can control: You can stay on top of screening tests, you can eat a plant-forward anti-inflammatory diet, you can learn to manage stress, you can walk, you can stop smoking, you can meditate. There is so much that we can do right now to improve our overall health both physically and mentally — taking the time to do it is the challenge! Something as simple as doing a daily guided meditation, or going for an evening walk can end up helping you more than you realize in the long run.
Words of advice for other caregivers?
Stand up for yourself or your loved one. The current healthcare system is not designed to hold your hand and guide you through. It’s up to you to make sure you find the right care team, get the treatments you need, and do not fall through the cracks. Hospitals and health systems have case managers, social workers, insurance guides, and sometimes even health coaches. Seek out and utilize all the support you can find.
Inspire someone you know: Share this post or your own story.
