Anne's Story

Anne came into the Clinic recently for her annual mammogram screening.  She confidently entered the waiting room and greeted the program coordinator like a long-time friend.  In fact, Anne has been part of Venice Family Clinic's landscape for almost a dozen years.  Anne moved to the United States from Iran with her parents and sister as a young woman and had little connection with the larger community.  When her parents passed away from natural causes and then her sister from lupus, Anne was alone.  She sought the Clinic's help to find out if she was at risk for lupus. However, secretly she was dealing with severe depression and anxiety along with years without medical attention.  At her first appointment, her provider gave her a complete physical exam and discovered a small lump in one of her breasts.  The 38 year-old young woman now had the added pressure of possible breast cancer.  She had nowhere to turn.

Her provider comforted her and connected her to support staff that helped her through the mammogram screening.  From the mammogram and follow-up ultrasound, the provider determined that she had nothing more than dense breast tissue and there was nothing to be worried about.

Now Anne comes each year to the day for a mammogram screening - which all have been normal.  She has also taken advantage of the free mental health services and reports feeling happier and in good spirits.  She recounts to the program coordinator how she could not have gone through the loss of her family and fear of breast cancer without the support of the Clinic's staff.  She declares "The Clinic was my family when I had none."