Friday, June 13, 2025
Mount Sinai South Nassau hospital hosted a Breast Cancer Awareness and Patient Testimony Media Briefing on Oct. 8, spotlighting stories of survival and resilience as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The event featured medical experts from the hospital’s oncology department as well as breast cancer survivor Tamar Lemoine, of Valley Stream, who shared the story of her journey from diagnosis to recovery.
Lemoine, 68, captivated the audience with her description of battling Stage 3 breast cancer. She recalled the fear and uncertainty that accompanied her diagnosis after she discovered a concerning mass. Her medical team at MSSN was led by Dr. Christine Hodyl, a breast surgeon, the director of the Hospital’s Center for Breast Health and a leading specialist in advanced surgical techniques for breast cancer that preserve as much of the healthy breast and surrounding tissue as possible.
Lemoine began an aggressive treatment plan that included chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. “I was eating healthy, exercising and meditating regularly, she recounted. “As a yoga instructor, my breath work helped me stay positive, but I knew I had a tough road ahead.”
Hodyl spoke about the hospital’s seamless continuum of care from diagnosis to recovery.
“We work hand in hand with our patients to create individualized treatment plans,” she said. “We understand that breast cancer is a deeply personal journey, and our goal is to support our patients every step of the way.”
Lemoine’s treatment began with chemotherapy, and she remembers a pivotal moment of hope when her doctors informed her that her tumor had disappeared after just one round.
“That moment was amazing,” she said. “It was the first treatment I received, and the cancer had disappeared. It gave me hope.”
Throughout her battle, Lemoine drew strength from her support system, which included her family, her faith and her religious community. She expressed deep gratitude for her husband, daughters and rabbi, who supported her through every step of the process. She shared an emotional story of the day of her surgery, in two years ago, when dozens of people from two Jewish congregations, Beth Elohim and Temple Beth-El, both in Queens, prayed for her recovery.
“I had 75 people praying for me,” she said. “One of my friends later told me that my surgery had coincided with National Prayer Day, May 5. I felt like angels were walking with me in the operating room.”
Lemoine’s spirituality played a vital role in her healing process. As she reflected on her treatment, she urged other women to avoid the stigma sometimes associated with breast cancer.
“A lot of times, women carry the burden of thinking cancer is their fault, but it isn’t,” she said. “Anyone can get cancer. It’s important to not take it personally, because that mindset can impair the healing process.”
She expressed immense gratitude for the medical staff at MSSN, whom she described as her “divine team,” complimenting their professionalism, care and the personal attention she received. During her treatment, Lemoine found solace in journaling, and created a scrapbook to document her experience.
“I journal everything,” she said. “I wanted to remember this journey and the beautiful people who helped me. I also wanted to share my story with others, so they can find hope and strength.”
The scrapbook has become a reflection of her gratitude, chronicling the faces and moments that made her experience more bearable. The act of documenting it, Lemoine said, helped her connect with her purpose, reminding her that her life — and her struggle — were not in vain.
“I cannot say enough about the team at Mount Sinai South Nassau,” she said. “I’m filled with gratitude, gratitude, gratitude for them.”
The event also featured insight from the hospital’s oncology experts, including Dr. Rajiv V. Datta, chair of the department of surgery and the medical director of MSSN’s Gertrude & Louis Feil Cancer Center; Hodyl; and Dr. Dhvani Thakker, a leading oncologist at the hospital. Datta emphasized the importance of early detection, noting that breast cancer survival rates have significantly improved in recent years due to advancements in screening and treatment options.
“The key is getting screened early,” he said. “Women need to prioritize mammograms and stay on top of their health, as early detection saves lives.”
Now in recovery, Lemoine continues to focus on rebuilding her strength. She is undergoing physical therapy, and hopes to return to teaching yoga soon.
“I’m still in the healing process, and I need to make sure I don’t spread my energy too thin,” she said. “But my goal is to return to teaching yoga.”
Lemoine’s resilience and determination were evident as she discussed what might be next for her. She expressed a desire to use her experience to help others, saying, “Whatever God has in store for me, I’m ready. My life is not in vain, and if I can help someone else through my story, that’s what I want to do.”
“Our understanding of cancer is evolving, and so are the treatments,” Thakker said. “At Mount Sinai South Nassau, we are at the forefront of offering personalized, targeted therapies that give our patients the best chance of survival.”
As the event concluded, Lemoine left attendees with a message of encouragement. “Get your mammogram,” she said simply, and remember, you can survive.”
