Mava Jalufka has had more major surgeries than most people have in a lifetime.

The two-time breast cancer survivor underwent two lumpectomies in 2004 as part of her treatment for ductal carcinoma in situ. She had three unrelated back surgeries with a fourth scheduled when she got the news that her breast cancer had come back.

But this time, the thought of another surgery didn't scare her as much as she thought it would.

"I have never cried over this second diagnosis because I was confident - I have been through this before and I know who to talk to,” Mava said, referring to her team at the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center (DLDCC) at Baylor St Luke's Medical Center. “The surgeons and [Nurse Navigator] Cathie Brown have all been so fantastic in explaining things to me. I felt like I had the support I needed. Cathie was instrumental in scheduling resources. If I needed something, she was there. She was the one person I could call and she would help me.”

Cathie was instrumental in helping Mava schedule her pre-op appointments with Medical Oncologist Dr. Mothaffar Rimawi, Breast Surgeon Dr. Elizabeth Bonefas and Plastic Surgeon Dr. Sebastian Winocour, all at DLDCC and Baylor College of Medicine. The team worked together during Mava’s June 7, 2024 surgery to avoid a separate reconstructive surgery. 

That kind of efficiency is just one of many tasks Nurse Navigators do at St. Luke’s Health. “As a Nurse Navigator, I have access to the Cancer Center physicians’ schedules. It allows us ease of scheduling and that works out better for the patient,” Cathie said.

“What really got me was the compassion,” Mava said. “Cathie always asked me, ‘Is there anything else I can do for you?’ You don't find that a lot. I've dealt with a lot of healthcare professionals and she stands out in my mind as a sweet person who truly cares. And that means a lot to me.”