After Skipping a Mammogram, Breast Cancer Survivor Thankful the Silver Cross Team Saved Her Life

When Julie Bay’s husband, Ron, retired at the end of 2024, they had dreams of taking grand vacations.

But the results of an overdue mammogram in January put those plans on hold for a while. Thanks to Dr. Laura Ragauskaite, general surgeon, Dr. Tabraiz Mohammed, oncologist, and the staff at Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox, Bay is back on track.

“I feel great,” said Bay, a former New Lenox resident who is in between homes. “I feel so very lucky to have Silver Cross Hospital close; the doctors and staff are like new friends.”

Active and in good shape, Bay, 67, faithfully had annual mammograms. But then she stopped a while back.

“I always passed. So, I thought, ‘Why should I go in?’ But my primary care physician suggested I get one earlier this year. The mammogram found some stuff, and they scheduled me for an ultrasound. I was scared to death with all the ‘What ifs?’”

The ultrasound showed multiple spots in both breasts, and biopsies showed they were cancerous. Her primary care physician referred her to Dr. Ragauskaite on staff at Silver Cross.

“Dr. Ragauskaite discussed the options with my husband and me. We decided I would have a double mastectomy.

“She was wonderful and answered all of our questions. I had my surgery on March 31.”

While recovering at home, Bay’s husband of 47 years, Ron, was her primary caregiver.

“Ron said, ‘I can do it.’ And he handled everything great. He was my main caretaker.”

Bay and her husband decided she would forgo reconstructive surgery. For one, it would mean more healing time, but more importantly, Bay added, “I have never been defined by my breasts. I’ve always been in good shape and very active,” she said.

The absence of another surgery also meant Bay could begin outpatient physical therapy sooner at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab at Silver Cross.

“They’re like my friends. They had me do exercises to make sure I didn’t develop lymphedema, which can happen after lymph nodes are removed.”

After several weeks of outpatient therapy, Bay started looking ahead, again thankful the cancer was caught before it spread.

“Dr. Mohammed said I didn’t need radiation or chemo. I’ll be taking anastrozole for five years. And he’ll let me know when we need to do a follow-up scan.”

And those trips?

“We drove to southern Missouri for Ron’s 50th reunion. And in August, we took the whole family, including my son, daughter-in-law and four grandchildren to a beach vacation in Clearwater, Florida. Ron always says things happen for a reason, and I think this happened so I can tell other women not to skip those mammograms. I was very lucky,” she added.

“When they heard about me, three of my friends scheduled theirs. They were fine, and I’m thankful for that. I’m also thankful for the wonderful care at Silver Cross, the doctors, and the staff in every department who were so nice and helpful. I will never forget them.

“And I believe Silver Cross Hospital saved my life.”

To schedule a mammogram today at a Silver Cross location near you, visit silvercross.org/schedule-now/