SAHealth.com 3 KEEPINGWELL —WINTER 2023 As a deputy for Bexar County for 32 years and a Navy veteran with over 20 years of service, Joe Villarreal says he had never been seriously ill before his diagnosis. So, when he found a lump in his left armpit, he wasn’t too concerned. But in August 2021, he went to his doctor after the lump hadn’t gone away. A scan and biopsy ultimately found three small, cancerous tumors on the side of his left nipple. He started chemotherapy, but with HER2 positive estrogen cancer, the chemotherapy wasn’t working. A Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan breast cancer surgeon performed a mastectomy, removing the tumors and cancerous lymph nodes. After surgery, Joe was treated with radiation. Now, he is in remission and taking oral medications. “I had a great experience with my oncologist, Dr. Raul Portillo, and everyone at the clinic was nice and very supportive,” Joe said. Debbie Williams, a Bluebird Auxiliary volunteer who is 11 years cancer-free, provided much-appreciated support, calling and checking on Joe regularly. “Debbie is good at what she does,” he added. Joe, 73, said that breast cancer in men is not talked about enough. “Hispanic men especially don’t want to admit they could have breast cancer; they are embarrassed,” he said. Joe said his wife and friends have been very supportive, and he is willing to talk with other men diagnosed with breast cancer. “You may not be happy to share your breast cancer diagnosis with others, but it doesn’t help when you don’t talk about it,” he said. U.S. News andWorld Report names Methodist Hospital No. 1 Best Regional Hospital For the fourth consecutive year, Methodist Hospital was named No. 1 Best Regional Hospital for 2022–23 by U.S. News and World Report. A best regional hospital ranking is determined by a hospital’s performance in the adult specialty rankings analysis. Methodist Hospital ranked as a high performer in 11 procedures/conditions, three additional categories as compared to last year. The 11 procedures and conditions include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), colon cancer surgery, diabetes, heart attack, heart bypass surgery, heart failure, kidney failure, knee replacement, prostate cancer surgery, stroke and uterine cancer surgery. “This recognition not only reflects our team members’ and physicians’ commitment to safety, clinical outcomes and patient experiences, but it also illustrates our efforts in ensuring our patients have access to the highest level of care,” commented Dan Miller, Chief Executive Officer, Methodist Hospital and Methodist Children’s Hospital. Data collected from other Methodist Healthcare System hospitals, including Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan, Methodist Hospital | Northeast, Methodist Hospital | Texsan, and Methodist Hospital | Specialty and Transplant, contributed to Methodist Hospital’s designation. The annual Best Hospitals rankings and ratings, now in their 33rd year, are designed to assist patients and their doctors in making informed decisions about where to receive quality care for challenging health conditions or elective procedures. For more information, visit U.S. News and World Report Best Hospital rankings. Male breast cancer survivor speaks out Support when you need it most. To learn more about cancer support with Methodist Healthcare, visit SAHealth.com/specialties/Cancer-Support. Joe Villarreal with Bluebird Auxiliary volunteer Debbie Williams (above) and with his granddaughter (right).
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