Edgewood Woman's Breast Cancer Battle Leads To Job Helping Other Patients

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — Procrastination could have killed Mary Hable of Edgewood.

She has regularly gotten her mammogram every year she's been eligible. In January 2022, she popped in for her mammogram, and the radiologist flagged her scans.

"If I would've delayed my mammogram, my outcome would've been different because my tumor wasn't in the previous scan," Hable told Patch.

At first, the radiologist thought it might be a cyst, but ultimately, Hable needed a biopsy. She had an ultrasound-guided biopsy in which seven samples were taken. Since the suspected cyst didn't pop during the biopsy, they knew it was something else.

"There was a spot on my mammogram and she suggested a biopsy, which was done two days later at the University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health Kaufman Cancer Center, located at UM Upper Chesapeake Medical Center in Bel Air. The biopsy came back positive for breast cancer; invasive carcinoma ER+/PR+/HER2 negative. I was seen by Dr. Garzka, a fabulous surgeon and doctor, who set up surgery that was performed at the University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Medical Center."

Hable was told she could have a mastectomy or a lumpectomy, but since her tumor was small, she opted for the lumpectomy. The lymph nodes close to the mass also were removed in a sentinel node biopsy; those were negative, too. The surgeon removed her tumor successfully and the oncologist recommended five weeks of radiation afterward.

Breast cancer is the second-deadliest cancer women face after lung cancer. This year alone, more than 43,000 women will die of breast cancer and more than 355,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, according to the Susan. G. Komen organization.

Not needing chemotherapy was huge in Hable's battle. After finishing radiation, she was put on an aromatase inhibitor and set up for Zometa infusions at the Kauman Infusion Center. Zometa helps bolster calcium levels in cancer patients, as an aromatase inhibitor can deplete calcium levels.

"The problem with the Anastrozole is that I wasn't getting any sleep and I was still working, so I had to take something to help me sleep. I worked through my radiation but took off work here and there because I was just too tired. Radiation burns you, but I'm a redhead, so it felt like a regular sunburn to me," Hable said.

After her treatment ended, Hable turned her attention away from her personal breast cancer battle and focused on how she could help others. She had worked for labor and delivery for 16 years, and was a unit secretary then scrub tech at Upper Chesapeake, then switched to working at a crisis center.

When Hable went in for an infusion and saw how well the team worked on a busy day, she asked if there were openings for patient care technicians. "I was lucky to be offered the job (I have been with Upper Chesapeake for 20 years) and now work as a PCT in the infusion center, which is where I received my treatment," Hable said. "I forgot how much I missed patient care."

She also focused on staying healthy and ran in her first 5K in October 2022. So far, she has finished seven 5Ks.

"I had a friend who ran marathons and she trained me. Last year in October, I did the Baltimore 5K, my first one. I actually enjoy them," Hable said.

Since she had a lumpectomy and not a mastectomy, Hable continues with regular mammograms and checkups. Like many breast cancer survivors, she gets a little anxious before her mammograms, a condition survivors refer to as "scanxiety."

"I had my mammogram done Sept. 7 and am still cancer free. Early detection is key to finding cancer and it should be done yearly," Hable said.

Hable said many women put off their mammograms because they hear about the squeezing part of the scan, which isn't bad compared to not having a mammogram and getting cancer. October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and serves as a reminder for women to get their scans.

"Do not be afraid of mammograms. Get them done faithfully. If you don't have insurance, there are avenues where you can get a mammogram done at low cost. If you want a second opinion, get one. I was very comfortable with the Kaufman Center. Make sure you have a lot of support when going down this path and take someone with you to your appointments."