Lori Baum: Patient Spotlight
Lori Baum, a 56-year-old medical specialist at the University Hospitals (UH) Seidman Cancer Center at Firelands Regional Medical Center, considered herself healthy. She ate a plant-based diet and ran regularly, but she was worried about her family’s history of cancer. One grandmother died of stomach cancer, and the other from kidney cancer. Three of her uncles died of lung and prostate cancer. Two aunts survived breast cancer, but one died from the disease. Her parents also died from cancer – her father from lung cancer and her mother from ovarian.
“A genetics team from UH visits Firelands monthly to consult with our patients. When I lost my mom last year to ovarian cancer, I explained to them my family history and asked if they thought I should be tested. They said yes, especially with the prevalence of breast and ovarian cancer in my family,” says Lori.
Even though the genetic testing did not reveal an identifiable genetic predisposition to cancer, the team was still concerned about Lori’s family history. They recommended that she see breast specialist Dr. Ashley Simpson and nurse practitioner Jennifer Emerick at the UH High-Risk Breast Clinic in Westlake. The specialists advised Lori to have a breast MRI, which showed a mass in each breast, one of which was positive for triple-negative breast cancer. “The next step was to have a lumpectomy of my right breast along with a sentinel node biopsy under my right lymph node to see if the cancer had spread. Luckily, it hadn’t, but because of the type of cancer I had, hormone therapy was not an option. I needed both chemotherapy and radiation,” says Lori.
After surgery, Lori had to choose an oncologist and decide where she would receive her treatment. Because she worked at the Firelands Cancer Center, her colleagues reassured Lori that they would understand if she elected to seek treatment at another facility to protect her privacy. But knowing firsthand what excellent care the Firelands Cancer Canter provides patients, Lori trusted her treatment to Firelands.
When Lori and David, her husband of 25 years, arrived at Firelands for her first chemo appointment, she was surprised by her three sisters and her mother’s boyfriend, who had traveled from different parts of Ohio to show their encouragement and love. At her second appointment, her Firelands co-workers gathered in the cancer center lobby, all wearing Team Lori t-shirts and offering words of support. “I was so overwhelmed by their kindness,” says Lori.
Lori underwent 16 rounds of chemo in four months and 15 radiation treatments over three weeks. Amy Reese, M.D., managed her chemotherapy; her radiation oncologist was Norleena Poynter, M.D. “They are such smart, amazing women. I knew I was in good hands,” says Lori. “Having them as my doctors was a blessing, and having them and my co-workers in charge of my care was like being cared for by family.”
Throughout her cancer journey, Lori was fortunate to be able to continue to work, just missing a few days because of the side effects of her treatment. She also found herself able to better relate and empathize with her patients. “I could understand what they were going through. I would show them my port where I received the chemo and talk to them about the various side effects, like the overwhelming fatigue and losing your hair. I was able to reassure them that they, too, would get through this.”
In addition to the support from family, friends, and co-workers, Lori received assistance from the RISE program. Funded by the Foundation for Firelands, RISE is a rehabilitation program for cancer patients to help them focus on recovery, survivorship, and a better quality of life. RISE offers physical, occupational, and speech therapy, acupuncture, and massage. Lori received acupuncture and physical therapy treatments to help relieve her arm and shoulder pain, which was causing her limited mobility due to her chemotherapy and radiation treatments. She also benefitted from Cancer Services of Erie County, which supplied her with caps to wear when she lost her hair.
In October 2023, the Crucial Catch program, co-sponsored by the NFL and the American Cancer Society, invited Lori to participate. Each year, NFL teams raise awareness of the benefits of early detection and the importance of screenings with a Crucial Catch game, where cancer survivors and those who currently have cancer are honored. Lori and her husband joined other cancer survivors and patients on the Cleveland Browns football field for the national anthem and were given tickets to the game. A lifetime Cleveland Browns fan, Lori had seen only one other game, and that was at the old stadium. “It was awesome to walk onto the field. I was honored to be part of that day, especially as a breast cancer survivor.”
Because of the side effects of her treatment, cancer took away much of what Lori cherished, but today, she is again enjoying life. She recently ran a half marathon at Zion National Park in Utah and can once more care for the three-year-old toddlers at her church on Sunday mornings while their parents attend services. “Having cancer was one of the hardest things I have experienced in my life, but my faith gave me the strength and peace to get through it. I was blessed with all the prayers I received, along with the wonderful support from my husband, family, friends, church family, and co-workers, and the care I received at Firelands. Having cancer has given me a different perspective. I now appreciate everything in life, including the little things,” says Lori. “I’ve learned how important it is to be your own health advocate and take your health into your own hands. Most importantly, I’ve learned how important it is to keep up with all your health screenings.”
