“All the lights went out for me.” That’s how Edna Sosa describes the feeling that came over her when she was diagnosed with cancer. All she could think, she recalls, was, ‘My mother passed away at 58 from cancer. My brother went at 62. My sister was also diagnosed. This came to my mind and I thought, ‘Oh Lord, I’m next on the list.’

That fateful day, which was in the thick of the COVID pandemic, set off a yearlong chain of events that would change Edna’s life forever. After being assured by her husband that she had his unwavering support, she went home to her room and, she says, had a conversation with God. “I asked him to give me the strength to go through whatever I have to go through. And then I felt strong.”

The main source of that strength, aside from her faith, was Mike Cusnir, MD, Chief of Hematology and Oncology, and the team at Mount Sinai Medical Center. Edna, who had previously been diagnosed with stomach and colon cancer, faced a new challenge with a third diagnosis of breast cancer, further compromising her immune system. Dr. Cusnir at Mount Sinai took swift action, scheduling Edna for same-day surgery to minimize her time in the hospital and reduce exposure to other patients during the pandemic. “Dr. Cusnir and the team were on top of everything,” Edna says. “They answered every single phone call. They neglected nothing. It gives you faith and assurance because you’re not abandoned.”

After ensuring she had safely recovered from anesthesia, Edna was sent home. This approach was part of a careful strategy to manage her complex medical situation, addressing the triple threat of colon, stomach, and breast cancer effectively. “After my first surgery, I was home all the time. The first visit I had with Dr. Cusnir, I was so scared and so nervous that I couldn’t even talk to him. He hugged me and said, ‘Don’t worry, you’re in the right place,’” she says. “He told me, ‘Yes, it will be long and painful, but I have faith that we are going to beat this cancer.’ He talked to me like he was my brother instead of my doctor.”

Edna remained nervous about the road ahead. “I had to do a combined chemotherapy and radiation treatment,” she says. “I was sitting there waiting to start and this lady approached me and said, ‘You don’t look too happy today. My name is Maria. I’m the musical director at Mount Sinai,’ and she asked me if I like music. Then she started playing the guitar. I’ll tell you, this woman made my day. She came back every week — not just for me, but also for the other patients. It was a nice relief. I thought it was an amazing idea for Mount Sinai to do something like this.” Edna says Maria still calls her to see how she’s doing.

Today, Edna is feeling optimistic about the future. In her words, she is “very, very lucky” to have undergone her journey at Mount Sinai. “It’s such a good hospital; the staff is great, the nurses, everybody — they just take such wonderful care of you.”

“Edna faced her diagnosis with remarkable strength, and it was our priority to ensure she felt supported every step of the way,” says Dr. Mike Cusnir, a leading oncologist at Mount Sinai Medical Center, specializing in gastrointestinal cancers with a focus on holistic, personalized treatment. “From the moment we scheduled her surgery, we focused on minimizing her risks and maximizing comfort, addressing her complex medical needs with meticulous care.”

His approach embodies Mount Sinai’s dedication to transforming cancer care, particularly with the anticipated opening of the Braman Comprehensive Cancer Center. “Each patient is unique, deeply affecting how we plan and administer their treatment.”

Dr. Juan Paramo, surgical oncologist at Mount Sinai Medical Center and specialist in breast, head, neck, and soft tissue cancers, agrees with Dr. Cusnir in believing in a care approach that feels like family. “I greet each patient with a smile and positivity, as if they were my own family, fostering a bond that supports more than just their medical needs,” he shares.

His treatment philosophy is impactful and swift, aiming for rapid improvements that are deeply gratifying. “Seeing my patients recover quickly is profoundly rewarding,” says Dr. Paramo. He integrates personal interests into the care plan, like with Edna, whose treatment included artistic expression, helping her draw strength through her creativity. “Integrating her passion for art into her treatment allowed her to find solace and strength through her creativity.”