For this grateful cancer survivor, Hope crosses coasts

After 28 years of teaching, Karen Henka Minnie was enjoying early retirement with her husband Leo in upstate New York. As outdoors lovers, they enjoyed scenic hikes through the Adirondack Mountains and bike rides with their grandchildren. Henka Minnie never expected that this new chapter in life would bring a life-changing cancer diagnosis, resulting in cross-country trips to City of Hope Orange County.

Last summer, Henka Minnie began experiencing pain in her arm and neck, along with lightheadedness. Having just started a new blood pressure medicine, some of her symptoms were explainable. But when a vein started bulging in her neck, her local care team in New York scheduled an X-ray, which revealed a large mass in her chest. More testing was needed. The news was devastating for Henka Minnie, but she immediately got to work looking for a care team.

"Even before we got my biopsy results, we made up our minds to go to the best of the best if it was cancer," Henka Minnie says. And with extended family located in Orange County, "City of Hope Orange County was our clear choice," she says.

Henka Minnie says she quickly knew that she made the right decision, beginning with how she discovered her biopsy results in New York. Rather than hearing from her local physician, Henka Minnie learned about her diagnosis through her online chart. It was small cell lung cancer.

"Imagine learning you have cancer from words on a screen. I didn't get a phone call from the local hospital or doctor. But within five minutes of contacting City of Hope, I got a call from their nurse navigator," Henka Minnie says. "She sat on the phone with me while I sobbed, helped me set up a chart with City of Hope, and scheduled me for an appointment. She was my angel on my shoulder."

Renowned Lung Cancer Expertise

Before she knew it, Henka Minnie and her husband were traveling across the country for cancer treatment at City of Hope Orange County Lennar Foundation Cancer Center - the most advanced comprehensive cancer center in Orange County. She met with Jyoti Malhotra, M.D., M.P.H., Director, Thoracic Medical Oncology, City of Hope Orange County, and Percy Lee, M.D., Medical Director of Orange County & Coastal Region Radiation Oncology, City of Hope.

Henka Minnie's treatment plan included two types of chemotherapy, 30 rounds of chest radiation, and approximately 10 rounds of preventative brain radiation. Currently, Henka Minnie visits Dr. Malhotra every 28 days for immunotherapy treatments.

"The care and compassion that I have received from City of Hope is bar none," Henka Minnie says. "And it's not just Dr. Malhotra, Dr. Lee, and their teams - who are amazing - it's all of the services that City of Hope offers."

Comprehensive Supportive Care Medicine

Supportive care eases the physical, emotional and psychological burdens of a life-changing diagnosis and allows patients to focus on getting well and what matters in their lives. At City of Hope, a national leader in supportive care medicine, evidence-based supportive care and integrative oncology resources are tailored to each person and woven into patient clinical care, including specialties such as cancer rehabilitation medicine, clinical social work, spiritual care and many more.

Having access to these comprehensive, cancer-focused services at City of Hope Orange County have proven vital for Henka Minnie and her husband. She has seen Diya Sandhu, M.D., who specializes in pain management; Frank Munoz, Ph.D., a chaplain-scientist offering spiritual care and mind-body medicine; and Erica Veguilla, M.D., a psychiatrist who specializes in working with patients with cancer.

"Whether you've just started a cancer journey or are well into survivorship, it pays to be proactive and take care of every aspect of your health," Henka Minnie says. "The way City of Hope treats me as a whole person has been an immense help in my journey. I am in the best mindset with the best team and the best experts to fight this disease both physically and mentally," Henka Minnie says.

The Henka Minnies also highlight the importance of caring for caregivers. For Leo, attending City of Hope's caregiver groups has been a boon in his ability to support his wife. "The supportive care programs we've been a part of have helped inspire our positive attitude through this journey," the couple says. "We choose to let the small things go and cherish what we have. We can do that better because we can rely on City of Hope to walk with us.

Also read:

Talking Hope: The changing lung cancer story: What you need to know
City of Hope Orange County Brings Athletes, Community Together for Lung Cancer Survivors
City of Hope Orange County Lung Cancer Treatment