Munster resident Leslie Darrow, 47, is the executive director of Hartsfield Village Continuing Care Retirement Community. In June 2018, the mother of three was diagnosed with invasive HER2 Stage 2 breast cancer. Her diagnosis came eight weeks before her wedding, while she was working full time, and sending her oldest daughter off to college.
Leslie discovered a lump in a breast self-exam. A mammogram, ultrasound, and biopsy confirmed it was cancer, and she was treated by Medical Oncologist, Dr. Mohamad Kassar at Northwest Cancer Center. At her first appointment with Dr. Kassar at Northwest Cancer Center, Leslie said she’ll never forget how terrified and anxious she was with her diagnosis. By the end of the appointment, she felt calm and in control, thanks to Dr. Kassar.
“To swap out such drastic emotions after diagnosis, after just one meeting, was unforgettable,” Leslie said. “There was no question that I would be treated locally at Northwest Cancer Center, where I could receive quality care, fold my treatment into my life, keep everything as normal as possible and allow me to continue to be a very involved mom and maintain my work schedule,” Leslie noted that the care she receives has a holistic feel to it.
“The nurse practitioners do a great job educating patients about including diet and healthy lifestyle into their daily routine,” she said. “I feel better now than before my diagnosis.”
Northwest Cancer Center was the first integrative cancer center in Northwest Indiana, integrating traditional treatments with homeopathic medicines to help patients through chemotherapy’s side effects.
Patients confirm that being treated locally has made a big difference in their prognosis and overall well-being. With a goal of high-quality, state-of-the-art personalized care, it’s clear that Dr. Kassar and all the physicians and staff at Northwest Cancer Center are dedicated and passionate about their patients, making them their number one priority.
