Beacon’s compassionate oncology team helps patient overcome breast cancer fears

When Frashiah Maina noticed swelling in her outer right breast, she went straight to her physician. The referral to the Memorial Regional Breast Care Center came quickly.

As a nurse, she knew her symptom could be serious. But she had kept up with her annual mammograms and stayed current on preventive care every year except 2020 due to COVID, so she hoped it wouldn’t be significant.

Her mammogram concerned the doctor, who ordered an ultrasound. The results indicated she had breast cancer, which a biopsy confirmed. Her worst fears were now reality.

“I was crushed,” Frashiah says. Hearing the news felt like receiving a death sentence, but she knew she had to be strong for her family, especially her two sons, then ages 8 and 12. “You see death beneath you, and you feel like you’re dying tomorrow. I kept praying to God to let me live for the sake of my family.”

The weight of her diagnosis brought a whirlwind of emotions, but Frashiah knew she couldn’t face this battle alone. Her days quickly filled with radiation therapy, surgery and chemotherapy appointments.

Dr. Muhammad Saqlain, Beacon Medical Group Oncology South Bend

Skilled, compassionate care

Frashiah’s oncologist, Dr. Muhammad Saqlain, Beacon Medical Group Oncology South Bend, became a steadying presence during her darkest moments.

“At my first meeting with Dr. Saqlain, he told me, ‘Frashiah, being your oncologist, I can do all the treatment for you. But the healing begins with you. You have to be very positive, accept what’s going on in your body, understand the disease process and believe that you are going to be healed and be cancer free.’ Dr. Saqlain brought the life back to me.”

His compassionate guidance continued throughout her treatment.

“It was hard for me to comprehend due to shock,” she recalls. “Dr. Saqlain was very compassionate and very kind. He took quite some time to take me through the whole disease process. He was able to explain what to expect in the cancer journey, he coordinated my care, and he oversaw my overall treatment.”

Despite her medical background, Frashiah found the reality of dealing with cancer as a patient overwhelming. Especially worrisome was the insertion of the port for her chemotherapy treatments; the area for the port was still healing from surgery, and she had to start chemotherapy despite the area being “very raw and fresh,” she recalls.

Once Frashiah had the port in place for her infusions, her chemotherapy treatments at the Memorial Hospital Outpatient Infusion Center began.

Beyond medical expertise, Frashiah found comfort in thoughtful details, including the infusion center’s cozy recliner chairs and the devoted staff who made her feel cared for during every visit. “I was comfortable during the infusions, and sometimes I could sleep. They have a very devoted group of workers, from the doctor, nurses, nursing assistants and kitchen staff to the housekeeping staff. The team is very polite, empathetic, well-coordinated, knowledgeable and good at patient care and patient teaching,” she says.

“I had chemo every three weeks, and Dr. Saqlain was able to help by ordering intravenous hydration once every week after each chemotherapy session, which helped with hydration and reduced my fatigue,” she adds.

Dr. Samuel McGrath, Beacon Medical Group Oncology South Bend

Frashiah was also impressed by her radiation oncologist, Dr. Samuel McGrath, Beacon Medical Group Oncology South Bend. “He’s very good and has a well-coordinated team of very good nurses,” she says.

Dr. McGrath and his team expressed pride in their patient.

“Once her chemotherapy was completed and she had recovered from surgery, we proceeded with postoperative radiation therapy, which was delivered over 5 ½ weeks,” Dr. McGrath says. “She tolerated this very well and without any treatment interruption. It is wonderful seeing how well she is doing three years following radiation completion. Her strength is an inspiration to those who care for her.”

Frashiah appreciated an additional aspect of her experience with Beacon: Her care team didn’t ask her to repeat her medical history at each visit.

“I had repeatedly given my cancer journey story to an extent that I did not want to keep giving that story at all,” she says. “They already knew what was going on and did not keep repeating the same questions.” Instead, this care team would simply confirm important facts before moving forward.

Fighting the good fight

Cancer treatment is exhausting, even under the best circumstances.

For Frashiah, every day became a careful calculation of energy and priorities. Her support system of friends and relatives in the U.S. and overseas “was very decent and reliable. I really thank God,” she says.

Before each chemotherapy week, she needed to juggle her many medical visits with caring for her sons and working. What she could do, and when, revolved around her treatment schedule and resulting fatigue.

“With cancer, you’re able to do what you can do when you can do it,” she shares. She’d match her activities to her energy level, doing household chores and cooking shortly before the next infusion treatment, because she knew how tired she would be afterwards.

“I thank God for my family and friends for bringing food and helping me with house chores, even taking me for doctor’s appointments when needed and being with me while running errands,” she says.

In good hands

Today, nearly four years after her diagnosis, Frashiah has regained her old energy and is able to do all she thought cancer had taken away from her. She has also completely changed her diet to support her health, embracing greens, a variety of seeds and fermented foods while avoiding sugars and minimizing carbohydrates.

Though facilities like Johns Hopkins and the Cleveland Clinic carry big names, she has confidence in Beacon and the coordinated care team that guided her through this frightening journey.

“Thank you, Beacon, for all you did. I did not know who to turn to, but you all aligned everything—the mammogram, ultrasound, biopsy, MRI, chemotherapy, surgery, radiation and finally plastic surgery,” she says. “All of these were possible because of how coordinated Beacon Health System is. I wish to thank every one of you who walked with me in this scary journey. God bless you all, and may He protect you and grant your wishes.”

Beacon Cancer Care

Getting the care you need at a critical time should be easy. From diagnosis through treatment and rehabilitation to ongoing care, we deliver complete cancer care close to home. Beacon Cancer Care is recognized by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer for the highest quality cancer care. Call us and our team will guide you on this journey. We never give up.