Marsha Johnson, Breast Cancer Survivor

On Jan. 17, 2005, Jennifer McNeill, M.D., a breast surgeon at Baylor Medical Center at Garland, made a call from her cell phone to tell Marsha Johnson the results of her biopsy indicated breast cancer.

"My world fell apart," Johnson says, when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. But the call also contained hope and comfort for the Bank of America business representative and fashion model of more than 15 years.

"I could tell Dr. McNeill really wanted to be on the phone with me, that she wasn't calling just because it's her job," Johnson recalls. "She stayed on the phone with me and answered my questions." For Dr. McNeill, showing compassion during her patient's time of need is second nature.

"Waiting for a diagnosis is hard and breast cancer is very scary for patients," Dr. McNeill says. Johnson was referred to Dr. McNeill by her primary care physician, Cheryl Richards, D.O., after she found a lump in her left breast during a breast self-examination.
On Johnson's first visit to Dr. McNeill's office in Baylor Garland's Breast Center, she thought the appointment would be a consultation only and was surprised the visit would include a biopsy of her left breast.

"I said, 'Right Now?' I behaved like a baby!" Johnson says. "Dr. McNeill was so patient and was genuinely concerned for me."

Dr. McNeill doesn't recall the events of the day quite the same way: "Although she probably was scared, she acted courageous and ready to fight. In my experience, breast cancer patients are warriors. I am proud to be on their side of the battle against breast cancer."

"The only way to diagnose cancer is under the microscope," Dr. McNeill says. "A physician or radiologist may state a mass or a mammogram 'looks like cancer.'

"But I have seen suspicious masses and mammograms that are not cancer. It's essential to biopsy some tissue from the breast or from under the arm and look at it under a microscope in order to diagnose cancer."

After Dr. McNeill met with Johnson and her husband to discuss the diagnosis and treatment options, she referred her to oncologist Manish Gupta, M.D. Johnson was very impressed with Dr. Gupta's thorough explanation of the treatment plan of eight rounds of chemotherapy for her breast cancer.

"He was so knowledgeable," Johnson says.

"My husband and I felt confident in his recommendations. And he wanted to give me a better understanding of what I was in for with the chemo."

Four rounds of chemotherapy later, Dr. McNeill performed a mastectomy with plastic surgeon Denton Watumull, M.D., performing a reconstructive surgery. After a successful surgery, Johnson concentrated on completing the remaining four rounds of chemotherapy, taking a medical leave of absence from work while undergoing treatment.

Described by Dr. McNeill as a "constant ray of sunshine" and "a perfect example of how to live life with positive energy," Johnson did not want to be pitied as a "sick person" by anyone. Instead, she became an inspiration and started Fashions for the Cure, which promotes cancer awareness. Drs. McNeill, Watumull and Gupta have all spoken at the event which includes a fashion show, featuring breast cancer survivors.

In fact, Johnson walked - danced is a more accurate description - down the runaway of the first show the day after her final chemotherapy treatment.

Today, Johnson is back at work, still dancing and modeling, and still marveling at her "team of doctors at Baylor Garland."

"All the doctors knew exactly what was going on with my breast cancer treatment," she says. "They all kept in touch and shared information about my care. The doctors worked together as a team."