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Incredible Stories
Joyce Sipes and Mary Ellen Dodge
When Joyce Sipes was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1999, she shared the news immediately with her sister Mary Ellen Dodge. Mary Ellen was there for her — helping her through the terror, and the fear, and the thousand questions, that are inevitably a part of hearing the word “cancer.”
Fortunately, a friend at work who had had a similar diagnosis highly recommended Alonzo Walker, MD, Medical College of Wisconsin surgical oncologist and director of the Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Breast Cancer Program. Joyce made an appointment. At an initial consultation, Dr. Walker spent two hours with Joyce and her husband. Joyce was so reassured; she cancelled her appointment to get a second opinion elsewhere.
Ultimately, Joyce’s cancer required a mastectomy. Reconstructive surgery took place right away. She came to think of Dr. Walker as her partner, “not just my doctor.” And the Froedtert nurses, she says, were “phenomenal.” |
Watch the Video
Recently, Joyce and Mary Ellen were featured in a Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin television commercial. Click a link below to view.
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As it turned out, Joyce would soon have the chance to do something important for her sister Mary Ellen. During her own cancer treatment, Joyce suggested that Mary Ellen should get herself checked through the Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Breast Cancer Program. In addition to its opportunities for examination and screening, the hospital had established a program especially for women in families at high risk for cancer. Sure enough, it turned out that Mary Ellen had some cysts, one of which was dangerous enough that it needed to be surgically removed. She’s fine now — thanks to Joyce’s suggestion.
Both sisters experienced firsthand how Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin offer more than leading-edge technology and the unmatched experience of physicians in an academic medical center. It offers a comprehensive team approach — of consultation, collaboration, and care — all focused on the individual patient. That’s why Joyce came to think of Froedtert, throughout the process of her treatment, as being her “security blanket.”
Joyce Sipes has been cancer-free five years now — an important milestone for breast cancer survivors. Joyce and Mary Ellen are together once again in their workshop in Joyce’s home, making the beautiful market baskets, bread baskets, muffin baskets, and Nantucket baskets that they — and their customers — love.
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