They all huddled around Heather Krisay. One of them took a Polaroid photo for her. They were all smiles and cheers as Heather rang out a bell signifying her final radiation treatment.  

“It felt like a close-knit family gathering; a true celebration,” said Heather, a 54-year-old breast cancer patient at the Conemaugh Health System. “All the nurses in the unit came around and clapped. It was the best feeling I had in months.” 

While Heather is a registered nurse in Conemaugh’s telemetry unit (serving cardiac patients), she wasn’t receiving special treatment.  

“They don’t treat you like a patient. I feel like family. They sit down and talk about every option, every treatment and answer every question. The level of loving care is incredible,” she said.  

“I love my care team; the doctors, nurses, surgery unit, recovery, radiation and chemotherapy, and the social worker. They all worked together, explained everything so thoroughly and anticipated everything I could possibly need.” 

It all began with a routine mammogram last December. 

“My initial reaction was shock and fear. The word ‘cancer’ is so scary. I immediately feared it might be through my entire body and thought I was going to die,” said the Westmont resident and married mother of two. “I always do monthly self-breast exams, but the mass in my left breast was very deep.” 

Surgeon Renee Arlo performed a lumpectomy and let Heather know the cancer hadn’t spread to her lymph nodes. Her chemotherapy and radiation sessions were conducted at Conemaugh’s East Hills facility under the guidance of Dr. Ali Tunio, radiation oncology.  

Heather’s recovery has been steady and complete. 

“I can do everything I did before the cancer,” she said. “I feel good. I never lost my appetite or got sick through the chemo treatments. I’ll really feel 100-percent back once my hair grows in.” 

Her advice to other women is simple: Do regular self-exams, get mammograms once they reach age 40, and take advantage of the services offered at Conemaugh.  

“I feel so fortunate and wouldn’t go anywhere else. We’re truly blessed to have such great doctors and top-notch care in a small community setting,” Heather said.  
 
“I have one word to describe the care at Conemaugh: Excellent.”