Journey of Courage: Honoring Cancer Fighters and Supporters
Cancer touches the lives of countless individuals, and for Pauline Russ, OhioHealth system program director of cancer surgery, breast health and genetics, the battle is deeply personal. At the age of 34, Pauline was in the second trimester of her pregnancy when she sensed something was wrong.
"Some of the discomfort I was having in my breasts was one of the reasons I took a pregnancy test," she shared on The Wellness Conversation - An OhioHealth Podcast. “I assumed it was because of the pregnancy. But this is where I credit really a combination of my OB/GYN and my own intuition.”
This intuition and her OB/GYN’s guidance led to an ultrasound that revealed the devastating news: breast cancer. Despite no family history of cancer, Pauline emphasized the important role of regular screenings and self-awareness in achieving her early diagnosis.
"No one knows your body like you do," she said. “And so if you feel like something's off it might be. Don't be afraid, go get checked out because knowing on the front end is so much better. The options are so much greater and the results end up being that much better too.”
Starting treatment while pregnant was a difficult decision, but one Pauline faced with courage. Reflecting on the whirlwind of emotions following her diagnosis, she recalled drawing strength from her deep sense of purpose and determination.
“I think for every person they need to figure out what their number one motivation will be to get through it,” Pauline said. “And for me, it's obvious, I had a child growing inside of me. I had to get through it and get him through it and be there for him. For each person, there's something you're living for. There's someone you have to be strong for. And I think finding that is so key to being able to get through any difficulty.”
Certain chemotherapies are safe during pregnancy and Pauline’s care team carefully managed her treatment to protect both her and her baby. She underwent four rounds of chemotherapy during her second trimester and continued treatment after delivering a healthy baby boy, Taxiarchi Michael. 14 years later, he is a thriving teenager and serves as a testament to her resilience.
“I just remember being so grateful because at that point, I didn't have any hair from the chemotherapy and my child came out and he was covered in hair,” Pauline said. “When I saw all his hair, he even had hair on his ears, I was like, this is proof that it didn't get to him.”
Now Pauline champions the cause she once fought. After her recovery, she transitioned her career from physical therapy to oncology.
“I've always known our mission is to improve the lives of those we serve, but I saw it happen to me,” she said. “I saw it come to full fruition so my work can never just be a job. My work has become a mission and I am humbled and just so grateful that I get to be a part of other people's journey.”
To listen to the full interview on The Wellness Conversation - An OhioHealth Podcast, click here.
To learn more about OhioHealth Cancer Care, click here.
