4 minute read
Meet Her: Connie Corey
Survivor Spotlight
CONNIECoey
How old were you when you found out you had
breast cancer? It was June 25, 1997. I was 41 and my son had just turned 17 going into his junior year of high school.
How did you find your breast cancer? I had decided to change doctors. When I went for my first visit with Dr. Knuckles, she was examining me and asked how long had this knot been there? I had no clue, I don't do self exams, and there is no history of cancer in my family. She ordered an ultra sound that day and I met with Dr. John Hale the following Wednesday for a core biopsy. Funny, they had my results in about 45 minutes. I can remember sitting in the room when John came in, with his nurse, with a clipboard that had a drawing of a boob on it, with a big red dot on it.
What stage and type of breast cancer did you
have? I was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer and during my mastectomy surgery, it was discovered that it had spread to the lymph nodes.
What treatments did you have and how long did
they last? I had chemo with Adriamycin along with CMF4 (really long words) among a series of experimental drugs. My surgeon was Dr. John Hale and Dr. Rick Rizzuti. My oncologist was Dr. Thomas Jesse Lee (I cried when he retired).
How long have you been cancer free? I was released from Dr. Lee on October 17, 2011.
How has cancer changed your life?
That is a good question. I have always loved my life. I haven't always had an easy life, but I learned at an early age, you make the best of what you have. When I was told I had breast cancer and the probability of about 180 days was my best outlook, my biggest fear, was what would happen to my son. Who would love him, take care of him, make him behave, make sure he didn't go off the deep end and secure his future? I knew there was nobody that could love me child the way I do. I decided that I would live my life to the best of my ability. I was told to get my affairs in order. Well, here we are 2021 and I am still not in order! How did cancer change my life...I drew on my faith and the prayers of others. Prayers and belief are why I believe I am still here to today. I never questioned, why me. I did question what can I do to have my soul in order. My faith, my prayer life, my testimony changed my life.
What advice would you give to others who may be dealing with their own cancer journey?
I have had the pleasure of sharing my journey with many cancer patients in the past 24 years. My belief was I was never sick, so I tried to not act sick. I tell patients believe you can beat this. Believe today is the best day every. Believe tomorrow is coming and it will be better than today. Believe that our Father has a plan for each of us. He knew this day was coming before we were conceived. I encourage them to do their research, talk to survivors, ask questions of their providers and get the answers. If you don't like what they tell you, find someone else. This is how I found Dr. Thomas Jesse Lee. The oncologist I was referred to in the beginning, wasn't my choice. I met with them and asked "do you think I am going to die". They told me according to my records, yes. I put my shirt on and left the building. I talked to survivors that I knew and they all had the same doctor. When I went for my first visit with Dr. Lee, I asked him the same question - he told me "we can all get hit by a bus today, there are no promises." That gave me hope. I tell patients, have hope, believe today is your best day and never give up.
Did you have any books, quotes, or routines that
helped you get through your ordeal? Every morning I would look in the mirror (which was not a pretty sight) and tell myself "today is a new day, I will give it all I have and I will be right back here tomorrow with the same conviction" I read so many books (internet wasn't a thing back then) My favorite book, next to my devotional book was a little book "No More Bad Hair Days".
3754 SMainSt., Farmville (252) 78 7-5990 pharmvilledrug.com
