In June 2025, while on vacation and celebrating her husband’s birthday in Puerto Rico, Terina Lewis received a call from her doctor that would change her life. She heard the words that no one wants to hear – she had been diagnosed with breast cancer.
This is the call she had feared. Just a month earlier, her doctor had flagged some concerns during a routine checkup and mammogram. She had undergone a series of tests, an ultrasound, MRI and biopsy. She learned that she had dense breast tissue, a condition that contributes to a higher risk of developing breast cancer.
“When I got that phone call, everything around me went silent,” she recalled. “I immediately thought the worst.”
Determined not to let this news overshadow her husband’s birthday, Terina waited until she was back home in Baton Rouge to consider next steps. Her doctor was based at Woman’s Hospital and she was already familiar with Mary Bird Perkins’ location at the facility.
She consulted with her care team, including Mary Bird Perkins’ Medical Oncologist Dr. Constance Blunt and Radiation Oncologist Dr. Charles Wood. She completed chemotherapy treatment at Woman’s Hospital and then transitioned over to Mary Bird Perkins on Essen Lane for radiation, a location that was more convenient for her and closer to her workplace.
Before arriving at Mary Bird Perkins, Terina had heard about the Cancer Center’s reputation and its ability to offer high-quality care. But she hadn’t realized just how many wraparound support services would be offered. She found that Mary Bird Perkins did so much more than treat her cancer, they went above and beyond to support her physical, mental and emotional needs, too.
From offering peer support groups to palliative care, yoga, massage therapy, nutrition services and more, Mary Bird Perkins believes in supporting patients so that they can live a full and meaningful life during and after treatment.
Like all patients, Terina was encouraged to take advantage of these support services, funded entirely through the generosity of donors.
Mary Bird Perkins’ counseling services, in particular, became a lifeline for her. Terina’s therapist provided a safe space for her to share her feelings and work through the overwhelming emotions that came with navigating her cancer journey.
“Navigating breast cancer can feel completely overwhelming,” Terina said. “My therapist allowed me to be vulnerable, and share exactly what I was going through and feeling. She has been an invaluable resource during this journey.”
One of her therapist’s recommendations was accessing palliative care, something Terina calls one of the best choices she made throughout her entire journey. Often misunderstood as end-of-life care, palliativecare focuses on improving quality of life in patients who are dealing with cancer or other forms of serious illness. Also, patients can still be in active treatment or completed it.
Due to her treatment, Terina experienced significant body and joint paint. Her palliative care doctor helped address that discomfort and connected her with the Cancer Center’s massage therapy program, a service she now looks forward to receiving every two weeks.
“I’m still shocked at all the services that Mary Bird has to offer,” she said. “The team here is truly top notch.”
For Terina and many patients like her, the services found at Mary Bird Perkins aren’t considered extra. They’re essential parts of the healing process and Mary Bird Perkins’ commitment to treating every patient’s individual needs.
For more information about Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center and its support services, visit marybird.org.
