Dallas County Living Well Magazine July/August 2016 | Page 45
Battle Buddies and
the Power of Human Kind
A
pril Saucedo didn’t go looking for cancer. Breast
cancer. Metastatic breast cancer. It came looking for her. She was busy working on her college nursing degree, shooting for the stars, her
dreams, spending time with friends and family.
Making plans. That is what young 22 year olds do. It came
like a thief in the middle of the night; it tried to take from
her and her family. They were shaken to their core, their
dreams diverted, plans changed. Power lost, faith restored,
new dreams spoken. This is her story.
By Tina Withrow
“I don’t have the best insurance and I worried this might
affect my care. It hasn’t. Tina Withrow with Health-Sync,
Dr. Beitsch, and Dallas Surgical Group have helped me
get my arms around what is happening and directed me
at each curve in the road to where I need to be in this
battle. They’ve got my back and I now feel empowered to
get through this so that I can achieve the goals that I have
set for myself. Yes, I have those moments of disbelief and
anger. During those times, I have to remind myself that
there is a silver lining to this. One of them is my family
Peter Beitsch M.D. is the guy that you want with you in a
fight. In a foxhole, dark alley, whatever––he always has
a plan. As an independent cancer navigator and patient
advocate, I must send my clients to centers of excellence
because I am only as good as the great experience and the
outcomes that my client’s achieve. I drive him crazy with
my many questions trying to understand what is happening
to patients at all hours. He never complains about it. We
share that sense of urgency when dealing with cancer survivors and that rush to get them back to their lives.
He has great credentials…
• NIH Fellowship at M.D. Anderson Cancer
Center
• Surgical Oncology Fellowship at John
Wayne Cancer Institute
• Past President of the American Society of
Breast Surgeons
• High-risk clinic for breast and melanoma
cancers
• Journal articles in New England Journal
of Medicine, JAMA, Annals of Surgical
Oncology, among many others
• Founders Award /Bridge Breast Network
for his work in Dallas with breast cancer
outreach.
When you talk with Teri Essick, Dr. Beitsch’s nurse of over
20 years, about a client/cancer survivor, she always gives
you the back story about the patient that lets you know that
she is taking a personal interest in getting to know them,
looking after their well being, driving good outcomes. It
shows, it is personal, it matters. I was in awe when Teri
called me to discuss the case and referred to April as “our
girl.” I feel that way about April also.
April Saucedo, Dr. Beitsch, and Tina Withrow
and friends and our love for each other. The other is my
medical team. They have shown me a side of human kind
and kindness that humbles and empowers me. It enables
me to take control of my treatment and get back to my
life!” says April.
Friends and family have set up a Go Fund Me page to
help April manage and pay for better insurance in 2017
and offset her many expenses to win this battle. Her treatment schedule requires lots of travel. She never complains
and is always hopeful––looking ahead to what life will
bring. Forever changed, eye on the prize, certainly no
surrender, and no retreat!
Tina Withrow is an independent cancer navigator and patient advocate at HealthSync. If you or someone you know needs help navigating a health-care crisis or cancer,
contact Tina at 214-546-2215 or email her at [email protected].
DALLAS COUNTY Living Well Magazine | JULY/AUGUST 2016
43