Christina Gonzales's Breast Cancer Journey

Last year, one of our very own WCH employees received the kind of news no one ever wants to hear: a cancer diagnosis.

Christina Gonzales, a technician on our Environmental Services team, was diagnosed with breast cancer in October. Now, a year and two mastectomies later, she is proud to say she is cancer-free.

Christina’s journey began with a routine mammogram at our Women's Imaging & Diagnostic Center. Shortly after, she was called back for a follow-up. When she noticed a team of people in the room during the second screening, she knew something serious was unfolding.

"This was when the seriousness of it sank in," Christina said.

The mammogram revealed calcifications—tiny calcium deposits that appear as bright white specks on the soft tissue of the breasts. Christina was taken by surprise by the diagnosis. She had always made a point to live a healthy lifestyle, focusing on nutritious eating, exercise and avoiding smoking. However, instead of feeling angry, she felt curious.

True to her nature, Christina turned to books. The day after her diagnosis, she went to the library and checked out several books on breast cancer. Reading gave her clarity and helped her better understand her situation.

In March, Christina underwent her mastectomy, with Dr. Douglas Hess leading the surgery. Given the nature of the calcifications, removing the entire breast was determined as the best course of action.

Christina felt reassured knowing she was in Dr. Hess’s care. "I clean the OR rooms, so I’ve met a lot of those nurses. It's a big area, and you run into people. You run into nurses, surgery techs and patient care technicians...I trust all of them," she said.

During the surgery, a radiologist was present to examine tissue samples in real-time. When Christina woke up, she received the best news possible.

"He was able to tell me when I opened my eyes, coming out of my surgery, 'It's not in your lymph nodes; you're cancer-free,’" Christina recalled.

Looking back, Christina expressed deep gratitude for her WCH employee health insurance, which helped her manage her medical expenses and for being part of the Wood County Hospital that supported and cared for her through her journey.

"I can’t imagine if I didn’t have health insurance," she said, emphasizing the importance of having health coverage because you never know when things like this can happen.