Hitting the right notes in the national anthem at Little League openers, naturalization ceremonies to welcome new citizens and community events isn’t the biggest challenge in Corallo’s life though: two years ago -- just six months after her youngest son, Steve, died from glioblastoma -- she was diagnosed with Her2+ breast cancer, which is often associated with a higher risk of recurrence.
Corallo first received radiation treatments for breast cancer 22 years ago at Good Samaritan Hospital, a member of the Westchester Medical Center Health Network, and she returned there to undergo treatment once again. “Everyone -- my doctors, the nurses and the whole team -- treated me like royalty, and I felt totally confident,” she said.
In early 2016, Dr. Karen Karsif, medical director of The Center for Breast Health at Good Samaritan Hospital, performed Corallo’s double mastectomy, and Dr. Sushil Bhardwaj, director of Good Samaritan Hospital’s Bobbi Lewis Cancer Program, administered her chemotherapy and Herceptin treatments, which she is continuing.
“The two treatments are synergistic, and Maureen’s adjuvant regimen is a classic example of the state-of-the-art treatment available here,” explained Bhardwaj.
To continue hearing Maureen's tale of survival, read more via Advancing Care in the Hudson Valley.