UChicago Cancer Center at Silver Cross Hospital Helps Oak Forest Woman Subdue Breast Cancer

June 4 is National Cancer Survivors Day

Annamae Ginter is a survivor and understandably proud of the strength she found deep within during a recent battle with breast cancer. 

In April 2022, something told Ginter she needed to get a mammogram. That intuition, with a big assist from the UChicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center at Silver Cross Hospital - New Lenox, likely saved her life. 

“I used to get a mammogram every six months,” said Ginter of Oak Forest. But when her mammograms showed no changes, that changed to yearly. 

“But that April, I wasn’t feeling right, getting dizzy spells,” she explains. 

She got her mammogram a few weeks later, and just after she returned home, she got a call from the testing center. 

“The tech wanted me to come back for more pictures and an ultrasound. Right then, I knew there was something wrong. They found some changes in my mammogram. I was sick to my stomach. Right away, they wanted me to have a biopsy.” 

Four and a half hours of biopsies and ultrasounds showed four different problem areas affecting each breast. 

While waiting for the pathology to come in, Ginter called her longtime physician, Dr. Sunitha Avula, to recommend a female doctor at Silver Cross. Dr. Avula immediately recommended Dr. Jennifer Young Gambla. 

“It came back as cancer. The first thing that comes to mind is am I going to die? My mother died of breast cancer at 64,” said Ginter. 

“Dr. Gambla was so nice to me, and the nurses made me feel very comfortable,” Ginter said. “But, Dr. Gambla said I had a lot going on. I found out that I had Triple Negative Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. Not good.” 

That particular type of carcinoma can be aggressive, Dr. Gambla said. “But typically, it does respond well to chemotherapy.” 

Dr. Gambla referred Ginter to Dr. Simona Cosmina Chivu. “Again, what a wonderful doctor,” said Ginter. “They assured me that I can get through this. Now it all starts.” 

A Great Team

Since they work together regularly at the UChicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center at Silver Cross, Dr. Gambla knew Ginter would be in excellent hands with Dr. Chivu. 

“At Silver Cross, multiple physicians across several disciplines meet weekly to review treatment plans for our newly diagnosed breast cancer patients,” said Dr. Chivu. “We have such a great multi-disciplinary team that are actively involved in the conference each week. It’s like offering a second opinion to patients without having to schedule multiple visits.” 

Following a battery of tests, Dr. Chivu determined the best course of action was to administer chemo to shrink the tumors, then perform her surgery. 

“Before the chemo started, I had to get my mind straight. I said I could do this. I’m always pretty upbeat and joking. If I don't laugh about it or make jokes about having cancer, you'll lose it. My plan was to beat this,” Ginter recalled. 

Ginter had her first chemo treatment on Oct. 14. 

“I couldn't eat,” she recalls. “It was hard to drink. But again, I said I could do this. My hair after the second week of having chemo was coming out. It was getting gray anyway, so who cares?” 

Ginter said she got through this and other tough times with the help of her amazing husband, Dominic, her circle of girlfriends and the doctors and nurses at Silver Cross. 

“They were wonderful. I would call or email, and I would get an answer in 20 minutes or so. Don’t Google if you have a question! Contact your doctor!” said Ginter. 

Dr. Gambla echoed those sentiments, crediting her staff nurse, Lisa Gravitt, with being on top of patients’ needs and questions. 

“There is so much for patients and their families to digest. That’s why we tell them to contact us anytime they have questions.” 

‘Piece of Cake’

After the first round of chemo, the doctor lowered Ginter’s dose. Then, she said, it was a piece of cake. 

“All my friends kept telling me I could do this. I felt all the prayers from everyone. Everyone thought I was so strong going through this because I was always laughing and in a good mood. I guess I did turn out tough.” 

Ginter finished chemo a week before Christmas, and surgery was scheduled for January. She said they were amazed how much the chemo had shrunk the tumors. 

“The chemo worked. I got through the surgery, and it’s the best thing I ever did. I still have a way to go. But I got this far, and I’m doing just fine. My hair’s starting to come back!” 

A Positive Outlook Helps the Outcome

Dr. Gambla said Ginter responded very well to treatment and surgery, in part because of the teamwork at the Cancer Center. But also because of Ginter’s attitude and support. 

“She was always so positive.” Dr. Gambla said. “I could tell she has a lot of support at home. I think that goes a long way to achieving a positive outcome.” 

Ginter said she is blessed to have such great, compassionate treatment at her local hospital. 

“My Mom died at 64 from breast cancer, but they didn’t have all these treatments they do now. I just turned 70 recently, and now I want to make it to 80. My husband and I love traveling, and we just got back from Mackinac Island, one of my bucket-list trips. And I have more. 

“All the doctors and nurses at the University of Chicago Cancer Center at Silver Cross were amazing, making me feel at ease all the time. 

“I wanted to get the word out about their great care, as well as a message to other women going through this: You can do it. Keep your mind on the prize. You’re alive!” 

The University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center at Silver Cross Hospital is located in the Carolyn J. Czerkies Pavilion, 1850 Silver Cross Blvd., in New Lenox. For more information on cancer care at Silver Cross, visit silvercross.org or call (855) 826-1400.