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September / October 2009
Volume 21, Number 5

News you can use

Goliad County Wellness Coordinator Credits
Healthy County Program for Saving Her Life

When the Goliad County Commissioner’s Court nominated Pattie Sawyer as their Healthy County Wellness Coordinator, her first response was to worry about the increased work load. But after reading through packets of information and attending the Healthy County Wellness Conference in San Antonio she grew excited.

“I was pumped and ready to roll,” said Sawyer.

As fortune would have it, the nomination helped save her life.

After reading through the guidelines on the Blue Cross Blue Shield Web site (see below) for mammogram testing and realizing she was several years overdue, Sawyer immediately made an appointment. But she was not worried; she was healthy and there was no family history of breast cancer.

“There was no reason to suspect I had breast cancer,” she said. “I felt fine. I just wanted to take all the tests and be a good example.”

Even after the doctor’s office asked her to come in for a biopsy, she still thought it was nothing. But when she received a call the day after the biopsy and her doctor asked her to come in right away, Sawyer realized something was indeed wrong.

“My husband went with me for support. And in comes the doctor with a box of Kleenex,” she said. “He told me I did have cancer. But it was in the early stages and he wanted us to do surgery right away.”

Sawyer scheduled a lumpectomy, a surgical procedure that removed a suspected malignant (cancerous) tumor, or lump, from her breast. The doctor successfully removed all the cancerous cells and delivered the good news that the cancer had not spread to her lymph nodes. Afterwards, she underwent six weeks of radiation therapy.

“If I had gone later, the cancer would have been much more invasive,” she said. “It might have spread to my lymph nodes and perhaps even required a mastectomy.”

Sawyer’s story also served as a wake-up call to her friends and colleagues.

“Since my situation, many of the people around me have run out to get their mammograms,” said Sawyer. “Once they realized it could happen to them, it made it more real.”

Sawyer is currently healthy and planning a special milestone.

“My husband and I always wanted to take an Alaskan cruise but we figured we would do it after we retire. When I was diagnosed my husband booked the cruise for next May,” said Sawyer. “It will be our 40th anniversary. He told me that he wanted me to have something positive to look forward to. So now instead of cancer, we have the cruise to talk about.”

A Life Saving Tool at County Employee Fingertips Pattie Sawyer, Goliad’s Healthy County Wellness Coordinator, credits husband Don’s support with her healing (see main article), but she had another weapon – knowledge. Through Healthy County’s partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield and the Blue Access® online Members tool, Sawyer was able to access a checklist of preventive exam guidelines, reminding her of her missed mammogram. She was also able to check the status of her claims, allowing her to keep track of medical bills. All TAC Health and Employee Benefits Pool members have access to a host of Blue Cross Blue Shield’s resources and programs. Pool members can set up their Blue Access account by visiting www.bcbstx.com, clicking on the “register now” link, answering some general questions and an account is created. Blue Access accounts allow members to: Check the status of a claim and claim history; View and print an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) for a claim; Request an email notification of a finalized claim; Take a Health Risk Assessment; and Request new or replacement ID cards and much more. TAC HEBP Members also benefit from the Blue Care Connection® Program. This program is designed to help members manage and improve their health by providing a total care approach for members interested in wellness and prevention or for those who need more complex case management. Blue Care Connection programs include: 24/7 Nurseline —Around-the-clock access to a nurse through a toll-free number; Special Beginnings — A maternity program offering ongoing contact with obstetric nurses and prenatal risk assessment education; Condition Management — A health improvement program helping members with chronic conditions; and Weight Management and Tobacco Cessation Programs and more.