Life was falling perfectly into place for Sridevi Subramanian in the summer of 2023. Her heart swelled with pride as her daughter began her second year of college at the Berkeley School of Business, while her son had just taken his first steps into his career after graduation. With a 10-day family cruise planned for December, the future was full of promise and possibility – until an unexpected discovery cast a shadow over it all.

After dropping off her daughter at college in August, Sridevi discovered what felt like a small cyst in her breast. She tried to quiet her fears – after all, her mammogram had been clear just three months earlier. But as weeks passed and the lump continued to grow, she knew it was time to get a professional opinion.

Taking swift action

Breast Surgeon Laura Pearson, MD, recognized the urgency of the situation during Sridevi’s first appointment at Wellstar North Fulton Women’s Health that November. Within 24 hours, Sridevi underwent both an ultrasound and a biopsy.

The resulting diagnosis was a shock. Sridevi had triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), an aggressive form requiring immediate intervention. Because it tends to grow and spread quickly, TNBC has fewer treatment options. While the average five-year survival rate for most breast cancers is 91%, for TNBC patients like Sridevi, that rate drops to 77%.

“For the first month, I was in denial mode,” Sridevi says. The joyful anticipation of family celebrations had vanished, replaced by a fog of worry, fear and uncertainty.

But Dr. Pearson, Mark McLaughlin, MD, Nagender Mankan, MD and their specialized team understand that a cancer diagnosis changes not just a person’s body but also many other facets of their life. They surrounded Sridevi with what she needed most: swift medical action, genuine compassion and unwavering support. Sridevi drew strength from their expertise and steady encouragement about survival rates.

“They gave me the full confidence to move forward,” Sridevi says.

A day after her diagnosis, Sridevi’s 19-year-old daughter returned home from college for Thanksgiving. Not wanting to disrupt her daughter’s studies, Sridevi made a difficult choice.

“I knew my life was completely going to change,” Sridevi says. “So, I didn’t tell her. I spent good quality time with her during the Thanksgiving holiday.”

Supported with every step

During these early days, as Sridevi grappled with the diagnosis while protecting her daughter from worry, the individualized attention from Dr. Pearson’s team made all the difference. They knew she wasn’t just facing a medical challenge – she was navigating deeply personal decisions about how and when to share her diagnosis with loved ones.

Sridevi’s treatment journey quickly became a family affair. From December 2023 to May 2024 she underwent aggressive chemotherapy, followed by a successful lumpectomy and a combination of radiation and immunotherapy treatments. Her husband drove her to every appointment, staying faithfully by her side during long chemotherapy infusions. During college breaks, her daughter, now aware of her mother’s diagnosis, joined these appointments, their mother-daughter bond strengthening through these shared moments. Her son turned down several job opportunities to stay with his family during this time, helping with daily chores and easing his mother’s treatment-related discomfort with gentle leg massages.

The Wellstar team didn’t just treat Sridevi; they embraced her entire support system. Understanding the emotional weight she carried, from her daughter’s worry at college to her elderly parents’ concerns in India, they created an environment where her family could truly be part of the healing journey. The staff offered comfortable waiting areas for loved ones and included family members in treatment discussions, ensuring everyone felt informed and involved.

“Dr. Pearson is the best doctor anybody could have,” Sridevi says, reflecting on the balance of medical expertise and genuine compassion that helped her and her family through her treatment.

Seamlessly coordinated care

Rather than navigating the complex healthcare system by herself, Wellstar’s team managed everything for Sridevi – scheduling follow-up appointments, coordinating different treatments and adjusting radiation therapy schedules to accommodate immunotherapy treatments.

Wellstar’s use of the MyChart system was another valuable tool for Sridevi, as it helped connect her more closely to her care team. “If I post in MyChart, they’ll immediately respond,” Sridevi says.

This comprehensive support for patients and families demonstrates Wellstar’s dedication to women’s health. From initial diagnosis through treatment and into recovery, this coordinated, compassionate care helps women like Sridevi face cancer with confidence, surrounded by medical expertise and love from their families.

Beginning a new chapter

In October 2024, with her daughter by her side, Sridevi received the joyful news she desperately hoped for – she no longer had cancer.

“Because of Dr. Pearson and Dr. McLaughlin I’m now cancer-free,” Sridevi says. “I’m so grateful to them. Right now, I’m living this life because of them.”

Today, Sridevi is stronger, embracing her life with renewed appreciation. Her final treatment on December 4, 2024, wasn’t just an ending, but a rebirth. Now, she’s reclaiming her life one step at a time, from returning to the gym to cherishing precious moments with the friends and extended family who offered vital emotional and physical support throughout her treatment.

But perhaps what brings the biggest smile to her face is the upcoming family cruise that cancer once forced them to postpone. For Sridevi and her family, the vacation now symbolizes a celebration of life itself.

“Within one year, my life is completely back,” Sridevi says.

Sridevi’s story is one of many that embodies our commitment to helping women live longer, healthier lives. Discover how Wellstar Women’s Health provides comprehensive care for women at every life stage.