Finding Strength Through the Journey: A Testimonial of Hope

Dorinda Perez has been a resident of the Santa Clarita Valley since 1987. She is happily married to her husband, Eddy, and they have two adult children, Taryn and Daniel, along with a grandson, Tristan. Dorinda cherishes spending quality time with her family and has dedicated over 35 years to nursing. Her career primarily involved caring for patients as a Cardiovascular nurse and, more recently, as a Performance Improvement nurse in the Quality and Patient Safety Department.

In February 2023, while performing a breast self-examination, Dorinda discovered a lump. Her immediate concern and anxiety were overshadowed by her determination to confront the challenge. She quickly contacted her Primary Care Physician, Dr. Anirudh Rai, who referred her to the Sheila R. Veloz Breast Center. That same afternoon, Dorinda underwent a mammogram and ultrasound. Dr. Anjali Date identified the images as "highly suspicious" and recommended seeing a breast surgeon. Just two days later, a biopsy confirmed that Dorinda had Stage 2A Invasive Ductal Carcinoma—the most common and treatable form of breast cancer.

Following her diagnosis, Dorinda underwent surgery with Breast Surgical Oncologist Dr. Amanda Woodworth. After a successful recovery from the lumpectomy, she began four rounds of chemotherapy and four weeks of radiation. These were physically and emotionally challenging. Dorinda found herself grappling with questions of “Why me?” as she experienced significant changes in her appearance and physical well-being. This period of adversity led her to reassess her life’s priorities.

Today, Dorinda has transitioned into the role of Breast Health Nurse Navigator, where she has rediscovered her renewed passion for caring for others and supporting them through their recovery journey. She is honored to serve as the 2024 Testimonial Speaker for the Sheila R. Veloz Breast Center at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital. By sharing her story, she aims to highlight the importance of early detection and encourage others to undergo annual screening mammograms.