Wall of Hope

Lori Schonert
Ernie Mill
Bonnie Yates

Lori Schonert — Putting things in perspective

“I was taking a shower and felt the lump,” recalls Lori Schonert. Hoping it was an inflamed gland, Lori decided to play it safe, called her doctor and was seen the next day. He ordered a mammogram. That was in April 2004.

“A few hours after the mammogram, they called me and asked that I come back for an ultrasound,” says Lori. “That’s when I knew it was serious.”

Within the span of a few days, a biopsy confirmed that it was breast cancer. The team at the Comprehensive Cancer Center at Salinas Valley Memorial collaborated to create a plan of care for Lori. Atul Jani, MD performed surgery to remove the lump and Lori’s oncologist, Laura Stampleman, MD, ordered chemotherapy. To ensure that any cancerous cells were eradicated from surrounding tissue, a series of radiation treatments were performed by radiologist Esmond Chan, MD. The final treatment was January 28, 2005.

“I had great support from my husband Richard,” says Lori. Richard, her husband of 14 years, their two children, Nicole nine and Carley two years old, were good reasons for never giving up. “I’m lucky to have a sense of humor and a general positive outlook on life,” says Lori.

Lori, who works in the Medical Staff Office at Salinas Valley Memorial, also drew strength and encouragement from her friends and co-workers. “My friend Caren Croft, also an employee of the hospital, had breast cancer three years ago and knew exactly what I was going through,” says Lori. “She gave me great information on how to handle chemo. And when I lost my hair, several people offered to shave their head so I wouldn’t be bald alone.”

“When it comes to fighting cancer, you have to put things in the proper perspective,” advises Lori. “I decided that losing my hair was nothing compared to losing my life.”

Ernie Mill

Forty-four-year-old Ernie Mill, son of Tom Mill, immediate Past President of the Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System Board of Directors, knows the value of preventative check-ups. With a family history of colon cancer, Ernie requested a colonoscopy as part of an annual health examination.

On February 13, Ernie's colonoscopy revealed a golf-ball-sized tumor at the end of his intestine. Given his family history as well as the size and characteristics of the tumor, Ernie's doctor admitted him to the hospital and scheduled surgery for the following day. "Not a very romantic way to spend Valentine's Day," quips Ernie, looking back on the events.

And the surgery took place in the nick of time. Left to grow much longer, the tumor promised to pierce the wall of his intestine. Luckily, the cancerous tumor was safely removed and the disease had not spread to nearby organs or glands.

Today, Ernie's back at work as President of Mill Construction and plays a regular game of tennis with as much vigor as before. "It's pretty amazing when I think about it," says Ernie. "In the course of two days, I went from feeling perfectly healthy to undergoing major surgery. Typically there are no early warning signs with colon cancer. Paying attention to my family's health history and getting that check-up and colonoscopy literally saved my life."

Bonnie Yates

At the time she heard the news that she had breast cancer, Bonnie Yates was a healthy 43-year-old woman with no family history of the disease. "Right after my annual mammogram, my doctor, Norm Rosen, asked if it was okay if a specialist at Salinas Valley Memorial's Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dr. James Smith, examine me and review by records," recalls Bonnie. "I kept hoping that Dr. Smith would tell me that there was nothing to worry about, but he didn't. He told me that I had breast cancer."

Bonnie quickly developed confidence and trust in the entire team at the Cancer Center. "Dr. Smith, a surgical oncologist and I discussed a range of options and he always made sure that I was talking to the person who could best help me sort through things," says Bonnie. "He listens with his heart." After doing her homework, talking with her doctors and her family, Bonnie elected to have a mastectomy. "After surgery when I went in for my chemotherapy and radiation treatments," says Bonnie, "the nurses would ask me who my surgeon was. They were very impressed with his work. The way Dr. Smith left my body is really beautiful."

"All of the doctors worked together to make sure I had excellent care," says Bonnie. Throughout her cancer journey, Bonnie participated in local support groups and activities, including the annual Relay for Life. She also continued to work at Blanco Dental Care in Salinas. "Whispers of love came out of the woodwork from my co-workers, the dentists and the patients," Bonnie recalls. "Every woman is unique and experiences cancer differently. I wanted to keep as much of my normal daily routine as possible, and working was a big part of that for me."

Today, Bonnie is cancer-free. "I'm coming to view my experience with cancer as a blessing in disguise," says Bonnie. "I've learned so much and discovered that many things help define who I am. And I've decided that cancer will not be one of them."