Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Pamela Acosta knows all too well the strain that accompanies being both a caregiver and patient. In 2016, Pamela cared for her late husband through his cancer diagnosis, and then was diagnosed with breast cancer herself. “To truly care for your loved ones, you have to be mentally and physically able to help them. It’s not always easy, but you have to allow yourself to be happy and healthy so that you can follow through on what they need,” says Pamela, who underwent surgery and radiation after being diagnosed in July 2016.

The critical role that caregivers play is highlighted each year during Kaiser Permanente South Bay’s Annual Breast Cancer Survivors Dinner. More than 200 survivors and their loved ones will gather on Wednesday, October 11, to celebrate strength, support and health at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Torrance.

“A caregiver is often a loved one, such as a spouse, parent or adult child, who is providing both emotional and physical support to the patient through their treatment. Caregivers may feed, bathe or dress the patient, in addition to arranging appointments, transportation and housekeeping,” says Dr. Lara Durna, Chief of Oncology at Kaiser Permanente South Bay Medical Center. “It is a tremendously important and often stressful role to play in the care of a loved one who is ill with cancer or another illness. It is also the kindest gift that we can give to those we love.”

Through both her own cancer journey, and that of her husband, Pamela found that Kaiser Permanente’s integrated system and use of technology were able to make a difficult time easier to manage. “When you’re diagnosed with something like this, time is crucial. You just want to eliminate this poison from your body,” says Pamela. “I could email my doctors, making it easier to communicate. We didn’t have to worry about authorizations or approvals. It eliminated a lot of the stress that I knew we could have had in another hospital.”

Local organizations, such as the Cancer Support Community and the American Cancer Society, have resources available online and in the community to support caregivers. Pamela, who relied on her strong religious faith to carry her through her own cancer battle, in addition to the loss of her husband and daughter, encourages every caregiver to seek strength where they can. “Wherever you draw strength from, go from there. For me, it was my faith, but I also found that talking with a counselor helped too. The important thing is to remember that it’s okay to cry and to reach out for help,” said Pamela. She also notes the importance of finding moments of happiness where you can, both while caregiving and grieving. “I find joy in nature, and in my hobbies, including drawing, hiking and reading. You should never feel guilty for those moments of lightness—you need them to carry you through the darker times.”