Breast Cancer Survivors Meet, Celebrate Life

Photo Liz Goff (L. to r.): Dr. Naral Megally, Dr. James Vogel, Dr. Rosina Demoulos, Dr. Peter Kratka, Dr. Ernest Kirschman, Dr. Howard Greenberg.

Some 100 breast cancer survivors treated by doctors affiliated with Mount Sinai Hospital of Queens, gathered at a reception at the Crown Plaza Hotel on July 16 to join in a celebration of life and express their thanks.

Ellie, a 54-year-old breast cancer survivor who lives in Astoria, believes she owes her life to the doctors-and to the Green Card lottery that brought her to the United States from her native Bulgaria 10 years ago.

Ellie said her son came to the U.S. about 12 years ago, to attend college. "He entered my documents in the Green Card lottery and I was chosen to win the right to join my son here," she said.

Ellie traveled to Bulgaria in 2005 to bring her mother back to the United States. While there, she visited a childhood friend, now a doctor, who "thought he saw something that wasn't right in the way I looked," Ellie said. At her friend's insistence, Ellie underwent an ultrasound that showed she had developed breast cancer.

"He told me I needed to take care of it as soon as possible," Ellie said. "In less than two months."

Ellie refused treatment in Bulgaria and returned to Astoria, where she immediately called the Astoria Breast Cancer Detection Center. "I knew they were the best," she said. "And I wanted to put myself in the care of the best."

Ellie was treated by doctors at "Especially For You" and the Astoria Advanced Radiation Group, who performed surgery to remove her cancer and administered chemotherapy and radiation treatments at Mount Sinai Hospital of Queens. Ellie also underwent reconstructive surgery at Mount Sinai, she said.

"Winning my Green Card in the lottery brought me to Astoria, where I learned about the doctors," Ellie said. "Things are looking good now. I feel great."

"I walked into the offices of Dr. Naral Megally, Dr. Rosina Demoulos and Dr. Tsoulias completely terrified-and with no medical insurance," Ellie said. "The doctors explained everything to me, helped me understand what needed to be done.

Her eyes welling with tears, Ellie said, "They healed my body and my heart. They are wonderful doctors and kind, understanding people."

Dr. Ernest Kirschman, head of reconstructive surgery at Mount Sinai Hospital of Queens, said he is "always happy to [do his] part" to help rebuild the lives of women who have undergone breast cancer surgery.

"It's a wonderful feeling," Megally said. "Being here with our friends and patients, seeing everyone laughing and enjoying life."

For information on breast cancer detection or to speak with doctors at the Astoria Breast Cancer Detection Center, call 718-204-4700.-Liz Goff