Patient Stories & Inspiration
The following is an article written by one of our COMPASS Guides and a patient she helped guide after her diagnosis of breast cancer.
COMPASS Program Article
COMPASSionate Peer Advocacy Support Services For Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer Patients - The COMPASS Program
The COMPASS Program helps newly diagnosed patients direct precious energy towards understanding as much as possible about the disease and medical terminology, boost their immune system, and become free to concentrate on their wellness strategies.
To get a real sense of how the COMPASS works, the following is an interview of Guide, Jett Stansbury, and a “Match”, Julie Wakelee-Lynch.
Guide: Jett Stansbury
Why did you become a COMPASS Guide?
During my treatment for breast cancer, my sister met a patient in the waiting room that was a day ahead of me with her procedure, and she gave my sister her phone number. I called her several times, and I will be forever grateful to her for talking me through details, providing advice and giving me support and courage.
Shortly after that experience, my surgeon, Dr. Lisa Bailey talked to me about the COMPASS Program. My experience with my “informal” guide inspired me, and I thought this could be a way to support other women diagnosed with breast cancer.
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Tell us a little about your experience as a Guide.
Being a Guide involves plenty of active listening on my end. I have gone to medical appointments, met for tea, dropped off magazines and books after surgery, taken walks, talked on the phone and sent emails. But I am really blown away by the depth of the connection with some of the women I have been matched with.
After treatment, the special bond and friendship has continued with some, and these “breast friends” are still a part of my life. Also, every match I have had in six years has told me that they are very, very grateful and thankful for the support. Listening and talking is such a simple concept – so that feedback always surprises me.
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What do you hope to do as a Guide in the future?
If possible, a COMPASS Guide is matched with newly-diagnosed women who have similar demographics and treatment history. So it is important that we continue to develop a deep bench of COMPASS Guides that is as diverse as the many women who are diagnosed with breast cancer.
I hope to be more successful in getting the word out about this unique program so that more women volunteer.
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Why should other breast cancer survivors become Guides?
Supporting other women facing breast cancer is empowering, rewarding and a generous and graceful way to give back to this special community of women.
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What would you tell another survivor who was thinking about become a Guide?
Make sure you are in the right emotional space to do this work. You should be longer than a year from diagnosis and treatment for you to consider being a COMPASS Guide.
Regular COMPASS Guide meetings with the program’s Nurse Navigator have been helpful for updates from other Guides, staying current with resources such as support groups and seminars, and clinical developments with treatments.
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Patient: Julie Wakelee-Lynch
What did you think at the beginning when you first met your Guide, Jett?
Wow, she has a lot of energy! She was funny and provided a great distraction when I really needed it. We spoke on the phone several times, but first met in person when I was waiting for my lumpectomy at Alta Bates. Having her around allowed me to exhale a lot of stress.
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How has having a Guide been helpful to you?
I don’t have family in the Bay Area and I’m a single parent, so I’ve worked hard to build a team of friends to walk through this crazy time with me. Jett continues to be an important go-to person for me.
From the very first time we made contact, Jett said I could call her any time. This was such a huge relief—knowing that there was someone nearby who understood what I was going through and who would listen.
She has gone way beyond that, though: showing up to clean out my fridge when I was wiped out, talking with my daughter and allaying her fears, being present at the hospital before my surgery, going with me for my 1-year mammogram, encouraging me when I was up to my ears dealing with insurance issues… She’s been a real angel.
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What has made this experience unique for you?
We are very well matched and have become great friends. She was part of my celebratory post-chemo girlfriends getaway. Although we are both busy with work and our kids, we try to find time regularly to walk, see a movie, or even pamper ourselves and go for massages.
I was incredulous when I learned that she’d never tasted gelato. I fixed that, so now we have a vice in common, too.
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Would you recommend that other women newly diagnosed with breast cancer request a Guide? Why?
Absolutely! There is no need to go through this alone, and while support groups have also been a wonderful and important part of my well-being plan, there’s nothing like having a sister who has been there and wants to show up just for you.
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What would you tell another woman newly diagnosed with breast cancer about having a Guide?
I thought I was really tough and was determined to do as much on my own as possible. I am so very grateful that Jett helped me let go of that silly idea. Going through treatment (plus dealing with all the layers of trying to make sense of it all) is hard and life changing, and there is absolutely no reason to try and go it alone.
Plus, it was so encouraging to have a survivor by my side. I did not need to explain to Jett how I felt or what was going on—she already got it. This is something that even the closest friend or partner who is not a survivor can’t offer.
You didn’t deserve to get cancer, but you DO deserve all the help you can get through your treatment. I really encourage you to check out getting matched with a COMPASS Guide.
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