Today we’d like to introduce you to Elaine Gonzales.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I did not go to University full-time right out of high school, I chose to attend Austin Community College and complete my basics then planned to transfer to a University. It took a lot longer than I anticipated because I was determined not to have student loans, so I worked my way through school. At some point, I realized this route was going to take forever so I applied for a student loan and was able to transfer to Southwest Texas State University (Texas State) and graduated after about 12 years of taking classes with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and teacher certification. It took a long time of many job changes, taking classes part-time, going through a divorce, and struggling financially but I was able to accomplish my goal of graduating. I taught high school math for 9 years. I loved teaching math, I consider myself a Math nerd. It was important to me that young Latina girls see a Latina woman teaching and teaching math. The kids were amazing, and they kept me young.
I was sure I was in my last career and expected to teach forever but life had other plans. I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 41. No one ever expects to be diagnosed with cancer and no one is ever prepared. I tried to work through surgery and treatment but the side effects were too severe so I was able to take a leave of absence. I returned to teach full-time but really struggled with energy and what is called “Breast Cancer-Related Cognitive Changes”. I had word-find issues, difficulty concentrating, and difficulty staying focused. These side effects due to treatment normally improve but it can take up to one year and I did eventually improve.
As I was completing my treatment, my father became very ill and was diagnosed with Metastatic Prostate Cancer. The cancer spread to his bones and Liver. He passed away in less than a year after he was diagnosed. It was of course very difficult to lose my father but I was also struggling with “Survivors Guilt”. I questioned why I was allowed to live, and he wasn’t. As much as I loved teaching it became clear that I wanted to do something in the area of service where I could see my efforts make a difference in the present.
When I was diagnosed, I was referred to the Breast Cancer Resource Center. I was able to speak to a Patient Navigator who talked me off of the ledge. I mean I was so angry and she did a great job of helping me process my diagnosis and the steps for moving forward. I love the organization and all the wonderful things they were doing to support anyone diagnosed with breast cancer. I joined an online forum and attended a newly diagnosed support group. I knew then that I wanted to do what they were doing.
I was hired as a Patient Navigator at the Breast Cancer Resource Center and worked in this position for 7 years. Patient Navigation is such a unique field. As a navigator, I was a support, an ear, and a shoulder for the women I spoke to. I helped them process the emotions of the physical and mental changes and provided education. I provided resources for employment issues, financial need, mental health support, support for their children, and any other support they needed. I was able to see the impact almost immediately. Patient Navigation was a beautiful and fulfilling experience.
Three years ago, my role changed, and I am a Board member for the Art Beat Foundation. I am Certified as a Patient Navigator, Certified Community Health Worker and a Certified Community Health Worker Instructor certified through the Texas Department of State Health Services. I work with my team to create programs for our young women diagnosed with breast cancer and metastatic breast cancer. Programs include recruiting subject matter experts to record informational videos for our Video Resource Library and to host our Ask the Experts! Let’s Talk About Breast Cancer Series and facilitate a health and wellness group called Compass Crew. I have created online training for community health workers and the medical community so they will better understand the psychosocial impact of breast cancer. I helped create and facilitate a Virtual Learning Collaborative to help community health workers and patient navigators improve their navigation skills.
Working in this field has allowed me to learn and grow professionally but also grow in my own survivorship. I participate in wellness classes through Capital of Texas Team Survivor, I tap dance at Art Beat Dance Center, and I an a Board member for the Art Beat Foundation.
I have been married for 20 years. I am a stepmom to 3 grown children, step-grandma to 5 grandbabies, and Tia to 5 nieces and nephews. I am also a mom to furbabies, a chihuahua named Mini and a cat named Milo. I adore my family. While I am not grateful I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I am grateful for the blessings I have received as a result of being diagnosed. I have been given a wonderful, fulfilling career and have made lifelong friends.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I don’t think anything worth doing leads you down a smooth road. I struggled with physical and emotional health. Cancer treatment was difficult and the recovery was equally difficult. I didn’t receive support from the school administration where I was working at the time of my diagnosis. We took a hard hit financially. I struggled with returning to normal life after cancer.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Patient Navigation is a unique field. Patient Navigators can be nurses or lay navigators. Currently, with my employer, all Patient Navigators are breast cancer survivors with different education and career backgrounds. This gives a unique perspective, and we are able to relate to the women on a different level. I am a Certified Community Health Worker, Community Health Worker Instructor, and Certified math teacher. I’m able to create and facilitate trainings to educate about breast cancer and how to serve breast cancer survivors. I navigated women of many ages, but mainly women diagnosed 45 and under and Spanish-speaking women. I facilitated English and Spanish-speaking support groups.
The Breast Cancer Resource Center received a 5-year CDC grant in 2019. I moved positions to support the grant projects, I am now the Community Educator. Having worked as a Patient Navigator for 7 years gives me a better understanding of the needs of breast cancer survivors. I wrote my first training for Community Health Workers, “Understanding the Psychosocial Impact of Breast Cancer”. This online training includes four modules “Psychosocial Impact of Breast Cancer at Diagnosis,” “Psychosocial Impact of Breast Cancer on Family and Friends,” “Psychosocial Impact of Breast Cancer on Emotional Health,” “Psychosocial Impact of Breast Cancer After Treatment Ends”. These trainings are also appropriate for any healthcare worker and caregiver.
I work with subject matter experts to create informative videos and conduct live webinars. I’m involved with other projects such as coordinating healthcare provider forums and facilitating a health and wellness group “Compass Crew” and I train healthcare professionals and lay navigators in a 14-week Virtual Learning Collaborative.
What sets me apart is I have unique skills not many people have. I was diagnosed at 41 with breast cancer, I have a background in education as a teacher, I am a trained and certified Patient Navigator and a Spanish Speaker. I am a subject matter expert in the Psychosocial needs of women diagnosed with breast cancer.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Professionally it’s important to me to have a connection and passion about the job I’m doing. Improving the breast cancer experience for survivors is an important mission I’m glad to be a part of.
Time with my family. I love having family over to watch the grandkids jump on the trampoline, have dinner, have a dance party, or karaoke. Be out with my loved ones for dinner, see a movie, see a play, or listen to music. I love reading a good book or binge-watching a good show. I love decorating my house and yard. I love road trips and traveling. My happy place is making memories and new experiences.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bcrc.org/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BCRCofTexas
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bcrcoftx/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs8SNZ5NIETM7_eQhXIoGjQ/featured
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/1262606/admin/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/bcrcoftexas
