Tears, hugs and a lasting legacy

More than a year has passed since retired dentist Linda Poloff, DMD, rang the bell following 25 rounds of radiation and 16 rounds of chemotherapy.

After finishing treatment for breast cancer with Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center, Dr. Poloff is back to relaxing on smooth jazz and other music cruises with her husband, Anthony, and spending time with friends.

Relaxing retirement interrupted

Dr. Poloff and her husband were enjoying retirement in St. Augustine Beach when a series of health issues changed everything.

She had just recovered from surgery for a benign brain tumor when she found a lump in her breast. Because of a family history of breast cancer, she knew the importance of screenings and had been getting regular mammograms without concern. The lump, however, turned out to be estrogen receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer.

She knew about the world-class reputation of MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, and felt she was in the right place at Baptist MD Anderson and Baptist Medical Center South for chemotherapy and radiation close to home.

Due to her family history, Dr. Poloff met with genetic counselors at Baptist MD Anderson and found she was positive for the inherited BRCA2 gene mutation, which increases the risk of developing certain cancers. Following a double mastectomy, additional surgery and treatment, she also had an oophorectomy [removal of the ovaries] to reduce her risk of ovarian cancer.

‘Dream team’

Dr. Poloff’s journey involved numerous physicians at Baptist Health, including medical oncologist Avani Changela, MD, MPH; radiation oncologist Mark Augspurger, MD; breast surgical oncologist Karen Ching-Tismal, MD, FACS; plastic and reconstructive surgeon Ankit R. Desai, MD, FACS; surgical oncologist Konstantinos Chouliaras, MD, and gynecologic oncology surgeon Paul W. Nowicki, MD.

“I had the dream team. I had the most caring team of physicians, nurses, medical assistants and front desk receptionists. Everyone was incredible,” Dr. Poloff said. “No matter what’s happening in their own lives, they leave it at the door; their patients are their priority. We had nothing but warm greetings, smiles and empathy.”

She tears up thinking of the hugs she received at Baptist South on her last day of treatment.

“It makes me cry, they’re so caring,” said Dr. Poloff, who still visits the radiation team when she has follow-up appointments. “I pop my head in to say ‘Hi’ to the people at the desk because they were nothing but the kindest people in the world.”

Lasting legacy

The Poloffs are so grateful for the care they received, they plan to make an impact for generations to come as donors.

“We wanted to give back to our community,” said Dr. Poloff who, together with her husband, is not only including Baptist MD Anderson in their estate planning, but also Wolfson Children’s Hospital. “What better way to share our legacy than with two wonderful facilities. If our lives mean helping with research for newer, better treatment, that means something to us. If we can make a difference to one child, that means something to us.”

Kimberly M. Jones, MBA, senior vice president and chief philanthropy officer of the Baptist Health Foundation, said, “Linda and Anthony’s expression of thanks to their caregivers in our health system is a humbling example of how healing and gratitude go hand in hand. We’re equally grateful to them for their support through a legacy gift to Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center and Wolfson Children’s Hospital, which will carry on their generosity for generations to come.”

‘New normal’

Dr. Poloff has follow-up appointments every six months and this year started a medication for her type of breast cancer.

“The team at Baptist MD Anderson is so knowledgeable on the current research,” she said. “The treatment I received is really what caused us to make Baptist MD Anderson and Wolfson Children’s a part of our lives. The way we were treated is truly unbelievable. You’re not just a number.”

Dr. Poloff, who plays the piano and also has a miniature poodle named Jazz, said she and her husband are getting back to a “new normal.”

In addition to traveling, she previously ran several miles a day and participated in races.

She’s not ready to return to that pace quite yet, but said, “I’ll be back. I’m not giving up.”

Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center has everything you need to take on cancer. To learn more, visit BaptistMDAnderson.com or call 1.844.632.2278. To learn about giving opportunities to Baptist Health and Baptist MD Anderson, click here.