She Found a Lump and Her Care Team Found a Path Forward

When Jackelyn "Joni" Escalera felt a lump on her breast shortly after a routine mammogram, she was stunned.

The Corcoran resident had just completed her scheduled screening on September 23, 2025, but didn’t notice anything unusual at the time. A few days later on her 55th birthday, she felt the lump on the outer side of her left breast.

"I was shocked," Joni recalls. "I trusted the Lord to carry me through whatever was coming."

Acting quickly after an unexpected discovery

After discovering the lump, Joni contacted the Adventist Health Breast Care Center in Hanford. The team had reviewed her results and asked her to return for an ultrasound. The imaging revealed an area of concern, and a biopsy was scheduled. Two weeks later, Joni received difficult news: she had malignant breast cancer.

An MRI provided additional information needed to plan her treatment. Although the 40-minute scan felt endless, Joni remained focused on moving forward.

"I kept telling myself, 'Just get through it,'" she says.

Like many patients facing a new cancer diagnosis, Joni experienced fear and uncertainty. She leaned on her faith, family, and loved ones for strength.

"The first person I called was my sister," she says. "We cried together. Then I said, 'Lord, let me be weak for a moment, cry it out, and then I'm all yours. I'll follow wherever you lead me.'"

Connected care close to home

Soon after her diagnosis, Joni met with her primary care provider, Florentino Martinez Valdez III, PA, at Adventist Health Primary and Specialty Care in Corcoran. During the visit, they discussed the diagnosis and next steps. Joni wasn’t familiar with breast surgeons in the area, so the clinic team recommended Carol Machado, MD.

That continuity of care, from primary care in Corcoran to breast imaging, diagnostic services, and surgical consultation at the Breast Care Center in Hanford, helped streamline Joni's experience and provided reassurance during an overwhelming time.

Joni said the moment Dr. Machado entered the room during their first encounter, she felt her anxiety begin to ease.

"As soon as she walked in, she had a big smile on her face and bright eyes," Joni says. "My wall dropped."

Dr. Machado explained that Joni had invasive ductal carcinoma, the most common type of breast cancer, which begins in the milk ducts before invading surrounding breast tissue. She answered every question directly and thoroughly, discussing treatment options and what they would mean for Joni's future.

"I was sad and scared, but also curious," Joni says. "She told me exactly what I was facing and what we needed to do. I appreciated that honesty."

Walking together with her care team

After evaluating her condition, Dr. Machado recommended a mastectomy.

"I told her, 'If it's going to make me better, I'll go with whatever you say,'" Joni recalls.

She underwent surgery on January 23, 2026.

Throughout her experience, Joni says the surgical team helped ease her fears by communicating openly and keeping her informed about every step of the procedure.

"They walked me through everything," she says. "They told me what they were doing, what might hurt, and what to expect. They made me feel safe."

That transparent communication continued throughout her recovery.

Following surgery, Joni met regularly with Dr. Machado for healing assessments. During each visit, Dr. Machado carefully explained the treatment process, provided instructions for at-home care, and helped ensure Joni was recovering fully before beginning chemotherapy.

"Dr. Machado is great at telling me what she's going to do and what to expect," Joni says. "I've never been a very good listener, but I listened to her. It made a difference in my healing."

More than anything, Joni said she appreciated being treated as a person, not a diagnosis.

"My experience with the Breast Care Center team, nurse Gloria, Dr.Machado, and the surgical team, were amazing," she says. "They treat patients like people. They don't treat you like you're next on an assembly line. They offer a personal touch."

Facing treatment with strength and support

Once her surgical wounds healed, Joni began chemotherapy in May 2026.

Like many people starting cancer treatment, Joni had heard stories about difficult side effects. Her experience, however, has been more manageable than she expected.

"The only side effects I experienced were body aches and joint pain," she says.

Knowing hair loss was likely ahead, she made a proactive decision after her first chemotherapy appointment. "I shaved my head the day I came home from chemo. I'm rocking a buzz cut now, she jokes."

Throughout treatment, her husband, children, grandchildren, and friends have surrounded her with encouragement. Her Adventist Health care team has become part of that support network as well.

The importance of early detection

Joni received her first mammogram at age 45 and has remained committed to regular screenings.

Today, she encourages other women to pay attention to their bodies, perform self-breast exams, and stay current with recommended screenings.

Her story also serves as an important reminder that changes can develop between screening appointments. If something doesn't feel right, contact your healthcare provider.

According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, 99 percent of women whose breast cancer is found before it spreads outside the breast survive at least five years after diagnosis.

For Joni, that statistic reinforces the importance of acting quickly.

"It's been a long journey," she says. "But I know I'm going to get through it because of the people in my corner."