Battling breast cancer while caring for patients

Line Hinojosa, a nurse practitioner in the Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, is nothing short of a modern-day hero. Diagnosed with breast cancer in June, she not only faces her own health battle but continues to care for patients, all while being a devoted mother. In a remarkable display of strength, Hinojosa navigates the challenges of chemotherapy while maintaining her role as a dedicated nurse practitioner in the abdominal transplant and hepatology clinic. Hinojosa works with patients who have various types of liver disease, including pre- and post-transplant patients, as well as many diagnosed with liver cancer. Despite her rigorous treatment schedule, she remains dedicated to her patients, showing remarkable strength and resilience.

Hinojosa's journey began months before her diagnosis when she discovered a lump in her breast while breastfeeding her second child. She assumed it was a clogged duct and continued her routine. But when she later felt an enlarged lymph node in her armpit, she knew something was wrong. After months of delays due to insurance, the devastating news came, and she was told she had invasive ductal carcinoma, triple-negative breast cancer.

Her diagnosis was particularly shocking given her lack of family history and her breastfeeding status, which typically suppresses the hormones linked to cancer. By August, Hinojosa began chemotherapy, facing a yearlong battle that will include surgery and radiation.

In the face of this daunting journey, Hinojosa has continued her work as a nurse practitioner. "I work Monday through Wednesday, do chemo on Thursdays and take Fridays off to recover," she said. Despite the side effects, she manages to maintain a sense of normalcy through her job. "My job brings me joy," she said. "It gives me a sense of normalcy, and my kids need to feel that normalcy, too."

Being a mother to young children has been a source of both motivation and challenge for Hinojosa. She was open with her 5-year-old daughter about her illness, explaining that she had a bump and needed medicine to get better, and the medicine would make her hair fall out. Her daughter has taken it all in stride, even helping shave off her mom's hair when it came time.

For Hinojosa, continuing her role as a healthcare provider while undergoing treatment has been essential. "I don't like being a patient, but continuing to work helps me keep my identity," she said. "Cancer isn't my identity, but I've had to make room for it because it's not going away. Dealing with it is just part of my routine now - just like going to work."

Having gone through such a personal ordeal, Hinojosa now views her interactions with patients in a new light. "I have always had to tell patients bad news, but now I am more empathetic, having gone through something so serious myself," she said. "When you have a whole different view, you can do better. I can sit with patients in their grief in a different way now."

Hinojosa also advocates for the importance of self-exams, especially for younger women. "I always tell people to do self-exams because when you're under 40, they don't order mammograms for you," she said. "But breast cancer is being diagnosed younger and younger. In fact, when I went for my appointment, the doctor said every patient he saw that day was under 40."

Despite the physical and emotional toll of cancer, Hinojosa continues to show up for her patients, her family and herself. "You don't have to stop your life," she said. "You can still have a really good life while going through this."

Hinojosa hopes her story offers a message of hope to all who face similar battles.

By Tiffany Harston, senior communications associate in the Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery