— Isabel Law, nurse navigator at The Palmetto Health Comprehensive Breast Cancer Center

By Tammie Maddock

“You have cancer.” Three terrifying words.

Healthcare professionals at The Palmetto Health Comprehensive Breast Cancer Center understand the fear these words evoke. In an effort to help patients deal with their diagnosis from beginning to end, they provide nurse navigators.

Having breast cancer is like going through a maze. There are times of bewilderment, loneliness, and utter frustration at not knowing what lies ahead. The nurse navigator’s job is to help patients deal with the disease and navigate their journey from beginning to end.

Palmetto Health retains two nurse navigators. Their purpose is to help patients deal with their diagnosis and make informed decisions. They provide emotional support and equip patients with information about their diagnosis and possible courses of treatment, but they do not make recommendations regarding treatment. Navigator Isabel Law says that patients who are armed with knowledge make better choices. They can come to terms with the reality of their situation and take the best course of action.

Navigator Dottye Wodogaza echoes those sentiments. Wodogaza also notes the job of the nurse navigator begins immediately after diagnosis. The navigators contact the patient after diagnosis. This enables the patient to get some perspective of their situation, settle emotions, and have a better understanding of the medical situation and options prior to meeting with the physician.

Nurse navigators assist physicians by providing informed patients who are better prepared to work with them to combat the disease. They also provide patient support after visits to the doctor by giving them additional in–depth explanations of the terms and options for treatment and what the ramifications of those options may be.

Isabel Law is a breast cancer survivor of 22 years who brings a wealth of personal knowledge and passion to her profession. Wodogaza is an experienced oncology nurse who has helped patients cope with and battle cancer 15 years.

According to Kaye McCoy, director of Development for Palmetto Health Foundation, “Both women are a godsend to their patients.”

Writer’s note: The Nurse Navigator program has been so successful that the position has been added in other specialized cancer centers at Palmetto Health.