Success Stories

Learning about the experiences of those who are undergoing cancer treatment, or who are in recovery, can help others recognize that they are not alone in their own journey. Through these stories, you will also see the breadth of care, expertise and support offered by the specialists at the Overlake Cancer Center.

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Jennifer Simon

Jennifer Simon, 47, has always paid attention to her health. But in the fall of 2018, she was several months late for her annual mammogram. Jennifer wasn’t too concerned about it because all her prior tests had been clear.

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Kelly Smethurst

Last year, Kelly Smethurst was having abdominal pains and saw blood in his stool. But he didn’t do anything right away. “I’m like a lot of guys,” says Kelly. “I just didn’t want to think anything might be wrong.”

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Kathryn Hammer

Kathryn Hammer knew she was at high risk for breast cancer. Her mother and sister both had the disease and recovered after treatment. Even so, she wasn’t especially concerned when a mammogram revealed an area that needed more scrutiny. Kathryn still "thought it would be nothing."

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Angel Leon

Angel Leon has always enjoyed good health, but in 2016, she was diagnosed with a precancerous condition. “Everything came back normal,” remembers Angel. “So it was a watch and wait situation.” Then, in 2019, a cluster of abnormal cells appeared.

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Karen Lamble

When Karen Lamble started having vaginal bleeding in her late 50s, her regular gynecologist, someone not at Overlake, didn’t seem interested in exploring what might be causing it. Instead, her gynecologist wanted to focus on potential post-menopausal causes. After a thorough examination and a biopsy, her new provider broke the difficult news that Karen had cancer and referred her to an Overlake gynecologic oncology surgeon.

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Graham Wendt

When Graham Wendt, 64, first learned he had elevated PSA levels, he wasn’t concerned. Graham says the physician where he was being seen wasn’t worried about his PSA numbers, so he wasn’t, either. Prostate cancer is slow growing, he told Graham, and it was OK to watch and wait.

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Kim Howard

Kim Howard, 68, had just retired and was looking forward to the winter holidays when she saw blood in her urine and promptly went to an urgent care clinic. An ultrasound showed that not only did she have an ovarian tumor, but she also had a pulmonary embolism. It was a shock.

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Barbara Henderson

For the past 10 years, Barbara Randazzo Henderson, 52, has made sure to get regular mammograms. After her screening at the Overlake Cancer Center in January 2021, she got a phone call saying she needed a follow-up ultrasound. “It was surprising because I felt so good,” remembers Barbara.

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Pranee Poyns

Pranee Poyns, 60, is a very busy woman. Luckily, Pranee wasn’t too busy in 2019 to get her regular mammogram screening at the Overlake Breast Health Center because the test revealed an area of concern.

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Lisa Fry

In the spring of 2020, Lisa Fry, 54, and a friend were talking about how they were both late in making their annual mammogram appointments. Lisa knew, however, that cancer could strike anyone at any time so she made an appointment for her mammogram at the Overlake Cancer Center. And she’s very glad she did.