What do I do now?
What about my family?
What does this result mean?
These are among the most common questions people with breast cancer have.
Every person is unique. So, too, are their circumstances. That’s why AtlantiCare’s Cancer Care Institute team includes nurses who help guide and support patients from diagnosis to treatment and throughout their survivorship.
“Facing a breast cancer diagnosis can be an overwhelming experience,” said Eve Spiegel, BSN, RN, OCN, ONN-CG, breast nurse navigator. She is one of five nurse navigators on AtlantiCare’s Nurse Navigation and New Patient Coordination Team. A lay breast navigator and two new patient coordinators are also part of the team. These compassionate, experienced individuals, guide and assist patients and families.
As the breast nurse navigator, Spiegel collaborates with AtlantiCare’s broader team in making sure patients have the most appropriate, personalized care plan for them and their lifestyle. She helps patients connect with radiation and surgical oncologists, genetic counselors, clinical trial nurses, social workers, financial counselors and clinical and support team members.
“The patient is always the captain in our team’s approach to care,” explained Spiegel. “As navigators, we support and advocate for our patients, by guiding them through the sea of information, decisions, appointments and nuances a cancer diagnosis can bring.”
“Eve uses her extensive clinical experience to navigate patients and families through diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care,” said Anjeanette Brown, M.D., breast surgeon, AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center (ARMC). “She has a remarkable ability to personally connect with and reassure patients. She links them with care, services, and information even beyond their clinical needs. This is so important because patients might not realize they can benefit from additional services or support, or that these resources are available to them.”
Among the ways Spiegel expertly and empathetically helps people confront cancer are:
· Connecting with patients and families in person and/or virtually about what to expect and how to prepare for biopsies, surgeries and other tests, procedures, and treatments.
· Visiting patients at ARMC the day of their procedure.
· Meeting with patients at the AtlantiCare’s Cancer Care Institute’s Cape May Court House and Egg Harbor Township locations.
· Providing education and information.
· Leading AtlantiCare’s Breast Cancer Support Group, which meets monthly at both Cancer Care Institute locations. The group is open to anyone touched by a breast cancer diagnosis, at any stage in their care and survivorship.
· Linking individuals and families with additional support and resources.
“Getting a cancer diagnosis can be daunting,” said Spiegel, who is also an ovarian cancer survivor. She shared her story – My Doctor’s Gut Feeling Saved My Life – It Wasn’t a virus; It was Cancer – with the Herald in August. “You have questions and concerns. You make care and treatment decisions. Having an advocate helping you get through the sea of physical, emotional, and practical aspects of dealing with cancer is important to your overall well-being.”
Patients and family members regularly share how grateful they are for the care Spiegel provides, including how responsive and available she is for them. One individual recently shared with her, “You made me feel hopeful and alive again.”
“As a survivor, I’ve more personally experienced what I’ve long known as a nurse,” said Spiegel. “We have questions and concerns throughout our healing journey, including before and beyond when we meet with members of our care team. It is truly my great privilege to assist our patients in getting the care and comfort they need.”
Spiegel has been a registered nurse since 1992. She joined AtlantiCare as an infusion nurse in 2016 and became AtlantiCare’s oncology breast nurse navigator in 2018. Spiegel passionately promotes the importance of early detection of breast and all cancers.
For more information about the innovative, personalized care Eve, other members of Nurse Navigation and New Patient Coordination Team, and the entire AtlantiCare Cancer Care Institute team provide, visit atlanticare.org/cancer, or call 1-888-569.1000.
