“There is a small spot appearing on your mammogram scan. It doesn’t look abnormal but let’s do a biopsy to be sure.” These were the words that set Amy Williams on her path to discovering her purpose.
Williams works in the SSM Health Illinois Mammogram Department as a Breast Health Navigator. When patients have an abnormal mammogram or ultrasound providers will follow up with a biopsy. After this, the results are sent to Williams. She acts as a liaison and guide as she explains the biopsy procedure to patients and walks them through the next steps. The most rewarding aspect of Amy Williams’ role is building a relationship with her patients and being the support they need.
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She helps her patients navigate through their journey with cancer and is with them every step of the way. “I schedule their biopsy and when they come back to their biopsy I'm in that biopsy room with them. I’m there to hold their hand and assist. Once the results come back [if abnormal] I contact their provider and ask if it’s okay for me to speak with the patient,” says Williams.
She explains the results to patients and lets them know what they can expect next on their journey through cancer. “I have been there. I know exactly how they feel. When you are first diagnosed and don’t have all the answers, that is the worst time. Take one day at a time. Don’t try to think too far ahead and pray about it,” says Williams.
When Williams was diagnosed with breast cancer in December of 2020, she prayed God would use her cancer journey as a benefit to others. “I just pray that something good comes out of this,” said Williams.
Williams got regular mammograms. Due to COVID-19, she was unable to get her scheduled mammogram in May of 2020. By the time September rolled around, she was in a head-on car accident that resulted in her right breast being horribly bruised. This delayed her scheduled mammogram even more. It wasn’t until November 2020 that Williams was able to receive her mammogram.
A small spot that did not look abnormal appeared on the scan results. Although the risk seemed low, Williams' providers moved forward with a biopsy to make sure. At the time, Williams didn’t think much of the biopsy, and she certainly didn’t expect to hear what came next. The spot in her breast was cancerous.
“If I would have had my mammogram at my scheduled time in May of 2020 the spot wouldn’t have been detectable because it was so small. My oncologist and two different surgeons tried to feel the spot and couldn’t because it was so tiny,” said Williams.
She was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of cancer in December 2020. Undetected and untreated, it would have taken only one year for the cancer to spread throughout Williams’ body. If her May 2020 mammogram would have happened, she wouldn’t have known of this spot until May of 2021 when the cancer would have been much worse.
I feel like everything happened on time and for a reason. By the time they found the tumor until the time it was removed in February 2021, the tumor had already doubled in size,” said Williams.
Amy worked in the ICU Unit at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Centralia, IL, for 21 years. She worked throughout the COVID pandemic all the way up until her eleventh chemotherapy treatment. “COVID sent me over. I was just fried.”
“It was God’s timing I am where I’m supposed to be. I love my job and I love coming to work.” It’s so rewarding when patients thank me and let me know that I made a difference with my presence and assistance,” she said. “My journey changed my mindset on life and who I am as a person. I realized what truly matters and what doesn’t matter in life.”
Williams uses her story as an example to instill hope within her patients. “For someone along the journey, I like to tell them to look at me. I’ve been there and I am okay. It does get better, and things do get okay,” says Williams.
She also reminds families of patients to be thoughtful and communicate with their loved ones about their needs. “For my own peace of mind, I had to take myself to my treatments. It was important that I maintained my independence and normalcy. I worked the whole time until week eleven of chemotherapy. I wouldn’t let cancer get me down," Williams shared while speaking on her experience.
She is passionate about spreading awareness for breast cancer screenings and early detection. “Early detection will save your life and it’s all we have right now, but I have two daughters, so I hope before long we are prevention instead of detection. I don’t want my girls to have to go through what I went through,” says Williams.
While breast cancer is a serious health threat to women, it can be successfully treated, especially when caught early. At SSM Health, our breast care specialists created a risk assessment to help you better understand your chances of developing breast cancer. This risk assessment takes just a few minutes to complete. You will receive your results immediately, upon completion.
