Believe… 
in Surprising Yourself!
Dr. Jan Wadsworth
My Oncology Surgeon says I am a “medical curiosity.” My surgery for Stage IV Vulvar Cancer was in 2010. After complications with my incisions, I endured 7 chemo and 37 radiation treatments. No one told me I might have lymphedema. March 2011, I was diagnosed with bilateral leg lymphedema. I am the longest living patient with my diagnosis that my surgeon knows.
My Cancer is “Millie.” I don’t refer to Mille as often now, but she is still part of me. My mentor in Texas with the same diagnosis was instrumental in helping me through treatment. My mentor and Millie have given me the courage to find peace about why this happened to me.
For forty years, I was a teacher, administrator, and state consultant working in Special Education. But Millie gave me the opportunity to find my inner self and create a new normal. One who has “me days” to take care of myself first!
My new passion is to improve lymphedema management and care for those with long-term side effects. I now serve on both the Kaiser Permanente (KP) San Bernardino County Patient Advisory Council and the KP National Cancer Patient Advisory Council.
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