Finding Strength in a Battle Against Breast Cancer

In October 2023, Christina Mester, a 43-year-old florist and resident of Riverside, was winding down from the day and getting ready for bed when she found a lump the size of a grape under her right breast.

Christina had planned to schedule her first mammogram when she turned 40, but the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic led her to delay it. Additionally, her family history of breast cancer heightened her concern; her grandmother battled cervical cancer in her 30s and was later diagnosed with breast cancer at 57.

According to the American Cancer Society, women should start receiving their annual mammogram at age 40. Most often when breast cancer is detected it is because of symptoms (such as a lump in the breast), a woman discovers the symptom during usual activities such as bathing or dressing. Women should be familiar with how their breasts normally look and feel and should see their physician if they notice a change.

Understanding the seriousness of her discovery, Christina immediately contacted her primary care physician and was scheduled for a check-up the following morning. She then received orders for a diagnostic mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy. The results from these tests confirmed her fears: she was diagnosed with triple-positive invasive ductal carcinoma, a form of breast cancer that starts in the milk ducts and spreads to nearby tissue. The tests also revealed that three additional lymph nodes were affected. Shortly after her diagnosis, and while awaiting treatment, Christina discovered a second lump in her right breast.

Following her diagnosis, Christina was referred to Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center (PVHMC) surgeon Lori Vanyo, MD, at the Breast Health Center at The Robert and Beverly Lewis Family Cancer Care Center for further evaluation and to discuss treatment options.

Christina’s treatment would include six rounds of targeted chemotherapy before a lumpectomy surgery with multiple lymph nodes to be removed.

Christina expressed her fears and reluctance about starting her treatment, saying, “I was terrified of even going to the Cancer Care Center. I would get heart palpitations just walking through the door.”

Her fears continued until she met her care team. Christina leaned on her medical oncologist, Preeti Chaudhary, MD, and breast nurse navigator, Livia Vargas, BSN, RN, for education, emotional support and strength.

“Livia and Dr. Chaudhary would encourage me to just come in and talk to them whenever I needed. We would just sit and talk about my fears and concerns. This really helped to ease my fears enough to come in,” said Christina.

Armed with her village, Christina started her chemotherapy in January 2024 at the Cancer Care Center.

The chemotherapy proved extremely challenging for Christina. After her fourth round, Christina had to go to the Emergency Department at PVHMC due to dangerously low levels of hemoglobin and potassium and needed to get an infusion for both. Low potassium and hemoglobin are common side effects of chemotherapy; while treatable, they are serious and should be treated immediately.

After this situation, Christina wanted to quit chemotherapy, but Dr. Chaudhary encouraged her to try just one more time. With love and help from her trusted team, Christina found the strength to continue with one more round of chemotherapy, completing five of her six planned treatments.

“What I admire most about Christina is her willingness to be vulnerable with her care team by asking for help and support when she needed it most,” says Livia. “I’ve thanked her many times for trusting in us, herself and her journey.”

After completing her chemotherapy and targeted therapy in April 2024, Christina underwent successful lumpectomy surgery with Dr. Vanyo the following month, achieving a complete response with no cancer cells found at the tumor sites or lymph nodes. This was followed by radiation and continued targeted therapy until January 2025. Soon, Christina was declared cancer-free, ringing the victory bell at The Robert and Beverly Lewis Family Cancer Care Center on January 16, 2025, to celebrate her triumph over cancer.

“In my mental state, it took a village to see me through my treatment,” she added, “I needed all of them and I am so thankful to God for putting this place in my path.”

Now, Christina is redefining her life and is determined to share her journey with women who might not have a strong support network. She emphasizes the importance of knowing your family history, not waiting to get screened and being your own advocate for your health.

“No matter what happens in life, times aren’t always as dark as they seem,” reflects Christina.

To schedule a 3D mammography appointment at the Breast Health Center at The Robert & Beverly Lewis Family Cancer Care Center in Pomona, or at the Pomona Valley Health Centers in Claremont, Chino Hills or La Verne, call PVHMC’s scheduling line at 909.469.9395 or visit pvhmc.org/breastcancerservices.