This year, Virginia Cancer Specialists celebrates its 50th anniversary and we’re celebrating more than our practice history—we’re celebrating you, our patients! As we look back on our 50-year legacy of compassionate care, we’re highlighting a few of our patients as they share their stories and words of encouragement. We hope you enjoy reading about their journeys and find them as inspiring as we do.
These patient stories are based on the individual patient’s unique experiences and do not represent all patient outcomes.
Sonja Sulcer
Facing the Fear of Cancer Treatment I was diagnosed with HER-2 positive breast cancer in November 2021. I had my regular mammogram, which led to a biopsy. I was initially diagnosed at stage 0, but after surgery, I was diagnosed at stage 1. My mother died from uterine cancer in 2014, and my aunt also…
Anita Klein
Facing Choices After Diagnosis My journey with breast cancer started with a lump I found during a routine self-check. I went to my gynecologist who sent me for a mammogram and a biopsy which confirmed it was cancer. My gynecologist recommended breast surgeons, and that’s how I found Dr. Vargas. When I was initially diagnosed,…
Jeffrey Sapp
Finding a Diagnosis I am a former Navy All-American football player and have worked as a consultant and motivational speaker for students, adults, and business professionals. I was living and working in Saudi Arabia when I began to feel extremely fatigued. On a normal day, I would usually go to meetings, return to my office,…
Rinad Bsharat
Diagnosed as a Young Adult I had already put down my deposit for law school when I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. I was only 23, and at the time, others assured me that since I had one of the most curable forms of cancer, I should expect six months of treatment before I could…
Betsy Kulick
The Surprising Diagnosis I didn’t fit the risk categories. Twenty-seven years ago, I went in for a mammogram and learned that I had breast cancer. It was a stunning diagnosis. I had no family history, stayed fit, and had healthy eating habits which included lots of fruit and vegetables. And still, I had breast cancer.…
Reginé Bumper
Finding My Voice My voice has become my most powerful tool, and for that, I’m appreciative that my diagnosis led me to where I am today. Cancer is life-changing, but in the journey, I learned more about myself and my health. Prior to my cancer diagnosis, I thought I was living well by exercising and…
Sharon Reynolds
Using Creativity to Cope with Cancer Facing a cancer diagnosis during a pandemic can be especially lonely. Through the ups and downs of treatment, I found my energy waning as fatigue came and went. But then a relative suggested I try art again, something I hadn’t done since college. And that’s how after a 50-year…
Amy Nave
In January 2010, I was diagnosed with melanoma and found myself scared and uncertain about the future. After several surgeries, I was referred to Dr. Patel-Donnelly at Virginia Cancer Specialists. It was the beginning of a journey that would inspire and change my life. The moment I met Dr. Patel-Donnelly, I was immediately comforted. She…
Kate Zickel
I was diagnosed with stage three invasive ductal carcinoma on September 21, 2017. The good news: It’s the most common and treatable type of breast cancer. The other good news is that I’m one of the fortunate ones who has a huge group of wonderful people backing me up. My husband will tell you that…
Paul Santori
In February 2017, at the age of 57, I was diagnosed with CLL/SLL trisomy 13. The month before, I was experiencing severe abdominal pain that landed me in the ER. A scan showed that I had a bowel obstruction and a mass on my liver, with additional spotting on a lung and swollen lymph nodes…
Antoinette Jones
Breast Cancer Survivor Antoinette Jones a patient of Anne Favret M.D. with Virginia Cancer Specialists in Northern Virginia, talks about her journey with Breast Cancer. Community Practices like Virginia Cancer Specialists who have top rated oncologists and cutting-edge Clinical Trials, provide better care to patients within the communities where the live and work. Local Care…
Philip Suazo
I am a current patient of Dr. Sarma at Virginia Cancer Center. He has been treating me for a stage 4 cancer in my neck. I wanted to send a note to someone letting them know how much I appreciate Dr. Sarma’s and his teams concern for me. He is a very kind man and…
Temitayo Sadare
Patrick Russo
Virginia Cancer Specialists was recommended to me by a colleague who happens to be a highly acclaimed medical professional in the DC area. I was diagnosed on May 6th 2014 at the age of 25. My cancer was initially detected when I was getting ready for work at my new job one morning and I…
Susie Hanrahan
I was 57 years old when I was diagnosed with Cancer. The diagnosis came as quite a shock as I had never smoked and had no family history of cancer or GERD (acid reflux). I had a few experiences where I felt that swallowing was difficult, but that was the only indicator that something was…
Kristin Berberich
When I was 26 I was working as a high school teacher, cross country coach, and tutor. I was doing an after school boot camp and a running club with other teachers and had tons of energy. I noticed on a Wednesday in December 2013 that I had some bruising on my legs and arms…
Elizabeth Keane
The week before Thanksgiving in 2016, I felt a strange lump in my breast. The following week, I went to my OBGYN who had me get a mammogram (I was already up to date on my mammograms), sonogram and biopsy. On December 6, I was told I had breast cancer. I was originally scheduled to…
Eileen Crisson
I was diagnosed with cancer in 2015 at the age of 68. I was referred to Dr. Sarma at Virginia Cancer Specialists. I had to do two rounds of chemo and six weeks of radiation. I was so lucky to have a wonderful family who were my support system throughout diagnosis and treatment. After treatment,…
Sharon Tutchings
I was diagnosed with pancreatic adenocarcinoma on October 10, 2014 at the age of 70. My mother is thought to have had pancreatic cancer. There was never a biopsy to prove this, but her doctor is positive that’s what she had. My genetic test came up positive for BRCA2 and there’s no other history of…
Katy McRae
When you receive a cancer diagnosis the second time, you quickly realize just how precious life is. Almost 4 1/2 years after my first diagnosis, I received the devastating phone call in mid-august that my post-cancer checkup looked suspicious and might indicate a return of breast cancer. The PET scan confirmed my worst fears; I…