Cynthia's Story

For nearly of a quarter of a century, Cindy Doolittle and her family have lived within 5 minutes of the Jupiter Medical Center campus, relying on it as their go-to destination for everyday healthcare, from obstetrics and pediatrics to family medicine and Cindy’s annual cancer screenings.

“Over the years, we’ve always been impressed with Jupiter Medical Center,” says Cindy, 53. “We feel like we’re in a small beach town in Florida with the caliber of big-city medical care.”

Never was that statement more meaningful than when a routine screening mammogram in November 2023 caught the attention of Jupiter Medical Center breast imaging specialists.

In fact, that suspicious finding on her mammogram led to same-day intervention by other Jupiter specialists who quickly scheduled a more specific diagnostic mammogram, followed by needle biopsy several days later to ensure a correct diagnosis.

It was cancer, which Cindy found out just a few days before Thanksgiving.

Timely care, informed decisions
“Everyone at Jupiter was very thorough…that’s who they area,” says Cindy. “I had prepared myself for a cancer diagnosis, but Jupiter Medical Center’s team caught it early. And from that moment on, the process went into overdrive thanks to Jupiter’s beautiful job of coordination.”

In just a matter of days, the Breast Center’s patient navigator had scheduled appointments with breast surgeon and Medical Director Dr. John Rimmer, plastic surgeon Dr. Craig M. Forleiter, oncologist Dr. Elisabeth Anne McKeen, and radiation oncologist Dr. Saryleine Ortiz de Choudens.

Because of her family history of cancer – both her mother and aunt had died in their 50s of cancer more than 20 years earlier — Cindy was given the option of a double mastectomy (which requires follow-up screenings every 5 years) or a lumpectomy with radiation (which requires lifelong surveillance for recurring cancer).

“Before I got the genetic test results – which showed I carry a gene that increases the risks of breast, ovarian and pancreatic cancer — I had decided on the surgical removal of both breasts because I felt so confident with the surgeons and team at Jupiter. And my husband was totally on board with me.”

Her care? Challenging and “incredible”
One moment in particular remains with her.

“I love what Dr. Rimmer did,” she recalls. “Instead of just explaining to me the risks and rewards of a lumpectomy vs. double mastectomy, he sat down, looked right at me and said, ‘Why are you choosing a double mastectomy?’ He was making sure I wasn’t influenced to agree to a treatment I didn’t want and that I had clear confidence about the decision I was making.

“I told him that I was choosing the double mastectomy because of my genetic risks, my family history and my all-or-nothing personality…and that I’d do great. As he nodded in agreement and looked me in the eye with his hand on my forearm, I could just see the wheels turning as he was talking. He’s so smart and so well-educated and so compassionate…I knew I was in great hands at Jupiter.”

She felt the same levels of compassion and concern from all members of her team. “Every doctor, every nurse I saw knew every single thing about my health and my health history, and who I had met with. They all coordinated and communicated with each other, and it was incredible.”

Cindy underwent the double mastectomy in January 2024, followed by same-day breast reconstruction surgery with expanders. “I love that Dr. Rimmer and Dr. Forleiter called my husband in between the two surgeries to keep him reassured and updated. That’s how amazing Jupiter Medical Center is.”

Dr. Forleiter stepped as her weekly point of contact after the mastectomy, “and he and his team guided me closely through those four weeks of post-op care. Their spirits were so uplifting, they were my cheerleaders. During my recovery, he was my champion…encouraging me, reassuring me that I was going to be OK.”

In May, her breast expanders were removed and implants were inserted.

Cancer-free and grateful
“The follow-up care is so compassionate,” she says. “Even in the hospital, the overnight nurses and the hospital and housekeeping staff were so attentive and caring. My entire care was over and beyond what I expected.”

Today?

“I’m doing great,” Cindy says. “I’m full throttle, no restrictions. I’m doing endocrine therapy because Rimmer told me that yes, it sucks, but chemotherapy sucks more…and because I’m cancer-free, he wants to keep me that way.

“What’s great is that I know that if cancer comes back, I have this amazing team that going to get me through it again,” she adds. “I just don’t worry about it. I do what I’m supposed to do, take my endocrine drugs, and I know that if it comes back, I’ll be in good hands.”

And she adds: “I know that some women say they schedule their mammograms and screenings to catch cancer early so they have a better chance of survival. My advice is to catch it early so your treatments and side effects are more manageable. Scheduling your cancer screenings is deeper than just surviving. It’s about living…and living well.”