Breast Cancer - Your stories

BREAST CANCER Your stories Reba Archer Dorothy Brinker Pat Couch Amy Dickey Rita Doussett Maurene Goldsberry Nicole Gray Ariana Haight Connie Hearen

Mike Kelly David & Linda Hopper Gail Pendley Regina Southern La Moyne Wiginton

Jan Ross, assistant women’s basketball coach for the University of Oklahoma, shares her story of triumph through faith.

October 12, 2012

2

2012 Cancer Cancer Awareness:Your stories

Friday, Oct. 12, 2012

Cancer Cancer Awareness:Your stories

Inside

Norman, Noble firefighters are ‘Brave enough to wear pink’

Reba Archer . . . . . . . .12

Norman firefighters Toby Kirby, left, and Dan Ciambella, along with other Norman Fire Department firefighters are wearing pink all month in observance of October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Tshirts also are available for the public to purchase this month at Station 4, 4145 W. Robinson St. Purchases can be made from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Dorothy Brinker . . . . . .4 Pat Couch . . . . . . . . .10 Amy Dickey . . . . . . . .11 Rita Doussett . . . . . . .14 Maurene Goldsberry . .6 Nicole Gray . . . . . . . .15 Ariana Haight . . . . . . . .7 Connie Hearen . . . . . .13 Mike Kelly . . . . . . . . . .4 David, Linda Hopper .12 Gail Pendley . . . . . . . .13 Jan Ross . . . . . . . . . .8-9 Regina Southern . . . . .5 La Moyne Wiginton . .10

Your stories Editor’s note: These are the stories of cancer warriors, written in their own words. Each story conveys a message of strength, courage and faith. There also is encouragement to those who suddenly find themselves joining this fight.

On the cover University of Oklahoma assistant women’s basketball coach Jan Ross sits atop a pink ladder in the women’s training facility.

The ladder is being used as an inspirational tool for the Sooners and is emblazoned with sixword sentiments from each team member, crystalizing their drive for the coming season.

Earlier this year, Ross was diagnosed with breast cancer, and her team rallied to her with this sentiment written on each rung of the ladder: “Playing for our rock Coach Ross.”

Her story can be found on Pages 8-9.

Photo: Ty Russell / Courtesy of the University of Oklahoma.

Friday, Oct. 12, 2012

3

Jocelyn Pedersen / For The Transcript

Various fire departments across the nation participate in raising awareness by having their firefighters wear pink Tshirts in October. The Noble fire department decided to join the tradition this year and take it one step further: They are selling the same T-shirts they are wearing to the public and donating the proceeds to Noble resident Nicole Gray and her family to offset medical bills they are facing because of Nicole’s breast cancer treatment. Nicole’s story, Page 15.

Jerry Laizure / The Transcript

Early detection key to breast cancer survival For The Transcript The statistics are disturbing. According to the American Cancer Society, almost one in eight American women will develop invasive breast cancer at some point in their lives. In 2012, it is estimated that among U.S. women there will be 226,870 new cases of invasive breast cancer and 39,510 breast cancer deaths.

Early detection of the disease is a key to survival.

Reports show if cancer is found and diagnosed while still confined to the breast, the five-year survival rate is more than 90 percent.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an entire month to raise awareness about the importance of early detection. A mammogram is the best screening tool used today to find breast cancer early. A mammogram can find cancer at an early stage when it is small and easier to treat.

For women 40 and older, mammograms should be part of a yearly physical routine. Monthly breast self-examinations are also important for good breast health. The American Cancer Society and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation recommend the following guidelines: • Annual screening mammography for women beginning at age 40.

• If you are under age 40 and have a family history of breast cancer or other concerns about your

Mammograms

n Schedule your mammogram at Norman Regional today by calling 405-307-2290 or at Moore Medical Center by calling 405-912-3035. n Learn more by visiting www.NormanRegional.com/pink

risk, talk with your doctor about when to begin mammography.

• Have a clinical breast examination by your doctor at least every three years beginning at age 20 and every year after 40.

• Beginning at age 20, perform monthly breast self-examinations.

• Become familiar with the normal look and feel of your breasts — if ANY change occurs, report it to your doctor.

Besides screening mammograms, the Breast Care Centers offer a wide range of services including: diagnostic ultrasound, bone density testing, genetic testing and stereotactic-guided breast biopsy. Norman Regional also hosts a monthly Breast Cancer Support group.

Both the Breast Care Center at Norman Regional and the Breast Care Center at Moore Medical Center are accredited by the American College of Radiology and FDA approved.

Vote for Pink Glove Dance Video Staff members at Norman Regional are starring in their own Pink Glove Dance video to help spread the word about breast cancer awareness and prevention. The video was submitted to a national competition to determine the best Pink Glove Dance video of 2012.

The second annual competition is sponsored

by Medline Industries, Inc., manufacturer of the gloves and producer of the original Pink Glove Dance video.

As part of the Pink Glove Dance 2012 competition, Norman Regional's video will be posted on www.pinkglovedance.com today along with the videos of the other participants to be viewed by the public.

Viewers can vote on their favorite video; voting requires a Facebook account. The top three winners will receive a donation in their name to the breast cancer charity of their choice, such as the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Norman Regional has chosen Susan G. Komen for the Cure of Central and Western Oklahoma as their charity.

The winners will be announced Nov. 2 on pinkglovedance.com.

— Norman Regional Breast Care Center

4

2012 Cancer Cancer Awareness:Your stories

Friday, Oct. 12, 2012

Lori: Fought four years

By Mike Kelly Norman

N

ov. 26, 2007, a date I won’t ever forget. That was the day my wife, Lori, told me she was diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in both breasts, stages three and four.

Our lives and our daughters’ lives — as well as the lives of our extended family and coworkers — changed forever.

She began her battle with prayers and words of encouragement. Every morning she would get up and kiss me goodbye and say “I’m going to beat this.”

Chemo every third Friday for three months really was harder than she thought it would be.

Then came the double mastectomy on a Thursday in January, and back at work on Monday in bandages. She was not going to let this slow her down.

She started making goals for herself.

She wanted to see our three girls graduate high school. She wanted to see them go to college, get married and have children.

September 2008 it was back.

This was the only time she ever said a negative statement: “Why me? Why me again?” This time it was in her lymph nodes and was growing all over. More

chemo and more surgerys, but she never missed a beat at work. She was there early every day and if needed would stay late.

Her new promise to herself was, “I have a new goal: one, I will never give up; two, I will trust in God, surround myself with family and good friends and never look back at what could be or should have been.”

She continued her chemo, radiation treatments and work for three more years.

The treatments and the cancer were beginning to take their toll on her body, but never her spirit.

Oct. 7, 2011 — during Breast Cancer Awareness Month — Lori lost her battle with breast cancer.

She will never see her girls marry and have children or finish college.

Lori was 50 years old.

Our family would ask that each and Provided Photo every young girl, woman, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother be Mike Kelly and his wife, Lori, upper left with their daughters, from left, Danielle, Kayla and Ashley. aware that 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with this terrible disease.

“I have a new goal: one, I will never give up; two, I will trust in God, surround Please, if you get one thing from this, help educate those around us as to the myself with family and good friends and never look back at what could be or need to have regular mammograms and should have been.” learn to do daily breast exams on your own.

— Lori Kelly

Dorothy: Joy of resurrection filled me Dorothy Brinker Norman

My story started Feb. 13, 1991, at my annual checkup, when my doctor asked almost as an aside, “When did you last get a mammogram?”

I held my hand up in front of my face and admitted I’d been putting it off. So his nurse made an appointment for me.

At home that same evening, I was phoned to go to another clinic where a “different” area of my breast was magnified.

The day my doctor got the report, he

located a surgeon for me to see that same afternoon.

How quickly everything fell into place!

Each person was so professional that nobody alarmed me.

Luck smiled on me when I got Dr. Bill McCurdy. He explained that the spot was small and so deep I’d never have felt it and that even he was surprised the biopsy proved malignant. He held the Xrays for me to see.

The day of surgery I hardly thought about what was coming off — just was grateful my destination was the same place as Day Surgery, it was easy to find.

Luckily, I’d taken my last report of lab work, though I’d been told “they” would request their own copy. But the girl at the desk had been told I’d bring it, whew!

What if at this last minute they’d had to postpone!

While one nurse took my blood pressure and temperature and asked me questions, another laughed and shouted hello.

“There’s the gal who talked incessantly as she came from anesthesia.”

“Really? Why I don’t even remember you,” secretly I was wondering what on earth I’d been saying while knocked out.

“Well, I remember YOU!” she said.

“Nobody ever asked me more questions about their surgery — you wanted to know how it went, what was to happen next and when we would know. Just the whole bit!”

I felt sheepish. “Sure wish I could remember anything you told me!” I was dragged to a stall and the drapes pulled. I

poked my head out, “Please may I go greet my family?” I begged.

“No. Just put this hospital gown on and then we’ll let them come here.”

Oh, even better, and not only they, but several nurses came, too, before a burly fellow came to chauffeur my gurney down halls where doors opened automatically, almost like in science fiction. I was filed with others in a holding pattern, and my nearest neighbor asked if I’d noticed where a bathroom was; she was most uncomfortable.

I didn’t and hoped her mentioning it didn’t make me uncomfortable also!

Instead a nurse introduced herself and covered me with a warm blanket that was most cozy though I’d not known I • See BRINKER, Page 5

Cancer Cancer Awareness:Your stories

Brinker • From Page 4 needed one until then.

The anesthetist introduced himself and I told him in past times, I’d been slapped to get me awake, could he give me only a little bit to knock me out? He agreed and just before I went under a big man wrapped in surgical green came into view and said he was Dr. McCurdy.

“I know. I recognized your black glasses.”

The nurses were so cheerful and helpful that I wondered how I’d manage without them when I went home.

Warm pats on my shoulder during radiology and on my cheek prior to surgery, a laugh about all the questions I asked prior to surgery and in the recovery room and answers I forgot.

Decisions were hard, but it felt good to make them.

Finally the day came when my

Friday, Oct. 12, 2012

Regina: Now a survivor things were packed and I was wheeled to our waiting car. I looked forward to going home, but dreaded leaving the hospital with all its caring staff.

How beautiful homecoming was.

Our route took us west, where half the sky was clear slate blue and the other half full of huge, picturesque clouds.

The sun sent rays from the dividing line, giving silver linings to the dark clouds. About then, my husband turned our car and a row of white pear trees in full bloom seemed to wave at me.

Suddenly, and for the first time in the ordeal, my eyes filled with tears. Such a lot of beauty in the world and such a lot of kindness, concern and help beyond the call of duty.

I had entered the hospital in wintertime, but during six days there, spring had come.

Joy of resurrection filled me.

improvement. My mother passed away in July 2008, my best friend of 18 years was killed on July 6, 2009. I was 55.5 y first reaction to my years and told my doctor I had lived a diagnosis of breast cancer quality life. I have been a nurse for over was “NO, YOU HAVE THE 30 years and quite healthy.

WRONG FILMS.” I was told a federal breast and I don’t have a history — my cervical cancer program was available. I mother lived a quality life of 90.5 had my family and friends with me for Regina years. My doctor looked me in the surgery July 6, 2010, in the early Southern eye and stated “Regina, 75 percent of morning and came through with flying women have no history. And you colors. I was home by 4 p.m. I had have ductal carcinoma insitu — meaning all made roast dinner and homemade peach ice breast cancer starts here.” cream before going for surgery.

A biopsy would be done to verify I had a call from my surgeon who said the lumpectony or mastectomy. I met with Dr. tumor was contained; the sentinel node stood Ron Squires of the OU Breast Institute who guard and the lymph system was fine. I was at confirmed that I had a golf-ball sized tumor in a zero stage and that is a great thing. I would my left breast. need to take an estrogen blocker for five years.

I knew the inevitable surgery without him I did that. I saw my surgeon in August 2012 telling me. The surgery would be performed and was told I was a breast cancer survivor. I three weeks later. I can tell you the tumor has will have yearly checkups with my oncologist. been there for over a year and naturally Please don’t skip your mammograms. It can occuring estrogen caused this. come back to bite you.

I went to a health fair in Jan. 2010. I had My cousin, Paul, and Terry Bugher were extremely high cholesterol results. I my allies. rechecked in May and had only slight I give God the glory.

By Regina Southern Norman

M

5

6

2012 Cancer Cancer Awareness:Your stories

Friday, Oct. 12, 2012

Beth: Remains an inspiration to her sisters Thanks for letting me share my memories of my big sister Beth, who was affectionately known as "Sarge" to her little sisters because she tried hard to keep us all in line as we were growing up.

If you have any siblings, you already know she had varying degrees of success with that.

—- Maureen Goldsberry

By Maureen Goldsberry Norman

M

y oldest sister, Beth Ervin Thompson was 30 when she found a lump in her right breast and went to her doctor, asking for a biopsy.

The doctor sent her home, telling her that 30-year-old women didn’t have to worry about breast cancer.

Beth told us later that she felt like her body was out of tune so she went to another doctor who agreed to do a biopsy but only because he wanted to “ease” her mind. When she woke up from the biopsy, her new doctor was there, apologizing and promising he’d take every woman's lump — regardless of their age — seriously from then on because she’d been right after all.

She was 30 years old and she had breast cancer.

Breast cancer didn’t slow Beth down. She had a mastectomy, then reconstructive surgery and went on with her life. When the cancer came back at age 40, as metastasized lung cancer, she went through chemo, still working full time and became her company’s “Relay for Life” team captain.

When the cancer invaded her bones at age 45, she worked full time and went through chemo and radiation. She made jokes about the elephant sitting on her chest, a side effect of the radiation treatments and went on with her life.

When they found cancer in her brain at age 49, Beth called her four younger sisters to tell us not to worry because the cancer was in a

Provided Photos / Sue Ervin Velasco

As described by Maureen Goldsberry, from left: “The baby is Matt Palkowski, then youngest sister, Cathleen Ervin Palkowski (at 6’1”, my mom used up all the rest of the tall genes on her), my oldest sister Beth Ervin Thompson (in red), Ginny Ervin Crone (second youngest) Sue Ervin Velasco (second oldest) and me, Maureen Ervin Goldsberry (the very well-adjusted middle child). great spot for radiation. Only my sister Beth could find the silver lining in the news that she had brain cancer.

She died three weeks later.

Since her death in 1999, all of Beth’s sisters have made “carpe diem” (seize the day) our motto.

Since we personally know just how uncertain life can be, we take time to smell the roses

The young Ervin sisters, from left: Maureen, Ginny, Beth, Cathleen, Sue.

along the way, we tell our families on a regular basis how much we love and appreciate them, we get yearly mammograms and we listen to what our bodies are telling us.

And every Oct 26th, the remaining four Ervin girls remember our wonderful big sister, Beth, who proved that while she might have had cancer, cancer NEVER had her.

She remains our inspiration and our hero.

Blast from the ’70s, from left, Sue Ervin Velasco, Maureen Ervin Goldsberry, Ginny Ervin Crone, Cathleen Ervin Palkowski, Beth “Sarge” Ervin Thompson

Cancer Cancer Awareness:Your stories

Friday, Oct. 12, 2012

Eileen: Family grateful for kindess of friends

By Ariana Haight Norman

M

y breast cancer story began when I was 14 years old. In December of 2007, my mom, Eileen Haight, was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Within three days of that diagnosis, I was sick with bronchitis, and my dad had bacterial pneumonia that was slowly turning his blood septic.

Needless to say, a stressful situation was made 10 times worse by this new turn of events.

For two weeks after the initial diagnosis of the cancer, my dad was put into the hospital for his pneumonia.

My 11-year-old autistic brother was the only healthy one, but he hadn't completely realized what was going on.

Being in the hospital for two weeks caused my dad to fall behind at work, but my mom had appointment after appointment in Oklahoma City — at

the time, a long drive for us — and he couldn’t always take her.

So instead, some very good friends of ours made up a schedule, and on each day that she had to go for either chemo or radiation, one of our friends would make time to take her up and bring her back.

This arrangement allowed my dad to work and help us get back into a semiroutine again.

We still cannot thank them enough for what they did.

This December will mark the fifth year of my mom being cancer-free.

It was a bumpy road for sure, and at times we all felt as if we wanted to give up the fight.

But giving up would mean that cancer would win.

I had already lost one family member to this horrible disease, and I didn't want to see it happen again.

Here’s hoping for another five years of no cancer!

Ariana, now 19, with her mother, Eileen Haight.

Provided Photo

7

2012 Cancer Cancer Awareness:Your stories

Friday, Oct. 12, 2012

Six months, surgery and several chemo treatments later and OU’s Jan Ross is cancer-free

Kyle Phillips / The Transcript

8

Cancer Cancer Awareness:Your stories

Friday, Oct. 12, 2012

9

Jan: Relying on her salvation to see her through

By Debra A. Parker Transcript Editor

I

t wasn’t the words that bothered Jan Ross so much; it was saying the words that got to her.

“I have cancer” was hard to say.

Ross is assistant women’s basketball coach for the University of Oklahoma.

She and head basketball coach Sherri Coale have been friends for years, starting in their college days.

“Calling my sister, calling Sherri was hard,” Ross said. “I’m a pretty faithful person. I wasn’t scared; I knew it would be OK. But it was hard to make those calls.”

Listening to Ross it’s easy to see that she is not simply a faithful person; she is a Faith Full person who leaned heavily upon her religious convictions to see her through her cancer.

Today, she is four months out from her last chemo treatment and has been deemed cancer-free.

The beginning In April, the Sooners were between seasons. The team was regrouping and recouping after their season was cut short. Coale was trying to find a way to turn a pink ladder into an inspiration tool, and Ross had scheduled time for personal health care.

“I had my yearly mammogram and they called to say they’d found a knot,” Ross, 48, said. “I had a biopsy a week later.”

This is where her faith came into play.

“I had surgery on May 8. It was a single mastectomy,” she said. “I’m definitely an optimistic person.

“Until I got the final word, I thought it would be OK,” Ross said.

While Ross faced this challenge, with Coale nearby, the team wrestled with their assignment: Come up with six words that crystallized their core beliefs, their hopes, their dreams ... their goals.

The young women rose to that challenge and surprised their coaches along the way. Among all the individual

sentiments was one team-defining goal: “Playing for our rock Coach Ross.”

If Ross was the team’s rock, then who is Ross’s rock?

“That’s easy. First, it’s my God. My faith is my rock,” Ross said. “It’s my hope; it’s how I get through every day.

“How can you not be positive when you’re around such great young people.

They keep you going.

“I’ve got lots of rocks,” she said.

“Seeing that ladder ... that was a touching moment. It was one of those special moments in life.”

Heartache and joy

Like so many women with breast cancer, Ross was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma. About 80 percent of all breast cancers are invasive ductal carcinomas, according to breastcancer.com.

“It was grade three,” Ross said.

Along with that diagnosis, came a different kind of disappointment.

For the previous two years, Ross has been a leader on a mission trip to Haiti.

The first year, she and other sponsors took 25 young people, many from the women’s basketball team, to Haiti. This was just after a devastating earthquake rocked the small island country.

“Our first trip was planned before the earthquake,” Ross said. “We were just going to go and help the people.

“When the earthquake hit, we didn’t know if we’d be able to go. But the Mission of Hope people said we were needed more than ever, so we went.”

That was the first year. The second year, they took more than 40 Sooners with them, this time football players as well as women basketball players.

May was to be the third trip; Ross’s surgery was in May as well.

“I couldn’t go this year,” Ross said.

“Oh, that hurt my heart. It hurt my heart bad.”

After her May 8 surgery, Ross began chemo treatments. Starting June 4, she was scheduled for four treatments three weeks apart.

• See ROSS, Page 15

10

2012 Cancer Cancer Awareness:Your stories

Friday, Oct. 12, 2012

Pat: I relaxed and let God handle it

By Pat Couch Norman

M

y hair is coming back curly; same color as before, and about two inches long. I am so proud! During October 2011, all I could see was pink. I was so aware of breast cancer month because I was waiting on a phone call.

My mammogram was OK in 2010.

“Your biopsy was positive for breast cancer.”

Since then I have had chemo, a lumpectomy, more chemo, radiation and now a pill.

I neglected doing the breast self-exams or I might have caught the aggressive lump before it got so big and progressed to a lymph node under my arm.

I learned to rest when chemo had me drained and NOT to push through it. It is OK to accept a meal from neighbors, friends and family who care, to accept encouragement, love and most importantly, prayers.

The truth is I found myself totally relying on God to take care of the outcome. It is like being in an airplane. I could worry myself sick wondering if we were going to crash or just let God handle the details and enjoy the flight.

I relaxed and let God handle it.

I trusted the wonderful, gracious caring doctors and nurses. I did as they instructed, let people help me, pray for me.

I made it through and I’m feeling great today.

My husband of 53 years, Rodney Couch, has been my strength and strongest supporter, even when I had no hair.

I think I'll keep him!! I am blessed!!

My brothers, Gary, Greg and Jim Heartsill and their families came over many times with food, prayer and support.

Our daughter, Gala, has made three trips from Arizona to be with me.

Our handsome grandsons, Brandon and Preston Couch and their mom, Tara Couch, have been there for me, encouraging and wonderful through all this. Tara’s family has been there, too.

Two weeks after my lumpectomy on Feb. 12, 2011, I told Rod I was “done.”

I had to rest. The next morning Rod called my surgeon, and told him I had a fever. He told Rod to get me to the hospital and right now! My blood pressure was 66/44 and my fever was well over the “limit” of 100.4.

Fever over 100.4 while going through chemo, means you have an infection. I was in ICU for three days. I had a blood transfusion along with so much fluid (to get my fever down) it caused me to gain about 30 pounds in those six days in the hospital. I didn’t weigh that much when I was pregnant with either of my children!!

Lesson: Go to the ER if you have fever while on chemo AND drink lots of fluids!!

Do breast exams, re-evaluate estrogen replacement therapy, eat healthy.

Seriously ...

Fight like a girl!

Provided Photo / Courtesy of Rick Carr

Rodney and Pat Couch have been married 53 years. Pat has been a breast cancer warrior for a year.

La Moyne: A mother watches her kids fight cancer

By La Moyne Wiginton Norman

My daughter, Kristin, was saved by a breast self-examination.

She checked her breasts even though no females in our entire extended family have any form of cancer. She checked her breasts even though she had no known risk factors.

She checked her breasts even though she had five yearly mammograms that showed no masses.

And, she checked her breasts even though a national panel of experts recommended in the fall of 2009 that women no longer perform BSEs because they are not useful.

In the fall of 2010, at 45 years of age, Kristin found a lump and was referred for mammogram and ultrasound.

Because of her dense breast tissue, the mammogram showed nothing.

Only the ultrasound picked up the mass, which means had she not found the lump, she would not have been referred for ultrasound.

About half of women under 50 have dense breasts and, yet, they are often not informed of this nor told of the diagnostic difficulties with mammograms.

Kristin was diagnosed with invasive breast carcinoma and has gone through surgery and was the first volunteer to a clinical trial using Cyberknife radiation for breast cancer.

Nearly two years in, I consider my daughter a survivor but that doesn’t mean scares don’t come along.

Just this past week, she had a CT scan to check a nodule in her left lung and though it is still there, the size is stable.

Kristin told me before the results came in that she was just getting back into a life that didn’t revolve around cancer and hoped she could stay there for a while. I think that’s the storyline for all cancer patients.

In the past two years, I’ve witnessed

as a mother the best- and worst-case scenarios of cancer.

Six months after Kristin’s diagnosis, our youngest son, Kyle, died only four weeks after being diagnosed with brain cancer.

This has been a difficult road for our family and I am grateful to all our Norman friends who have prayed for us and shown such love to our family.

We deeply appreciate the Norman Transcript honoring breast cancer survivors and the memory of those who fought the valiant fight.

For all women, know your breasts, and be your biggest advocate if you feel something isn’t right. No one knows your body better than you!

Cancer Cancer Awareness:Your stories

Friday, Oct. 12, 2012

11

Carol: Marks 5 years

By Amy Dickey Norman

T

his October is a celebration for my family. Oct. 25, 2012, will mark my mom’s fifth year of being a breast cancer survivor.

My family has a history of breast cancer so my mom was diligent to get mammograms every year in October since she was 30 years old.

In October of 2006, her annual mammogram was clear, eight months later, my mom noticed changes in one breast.

One year later, in 2007, my mom was diagnosed with three different types of breast cancer: invasive ductal carcinoma, invasive lobular carcinoma, and inflammatory breast cancer.

The normal routine of our lives was suddenly uprooted.

Before my mom’s treatment, her general surgeon told her he did not believe she would still be around in two years.

My mom endured eight rounds of chemotherapy, a bilateral mastectomy, and 33 rounds of daily radiation.

According to statistics on the Internet and published articles, she should not be alive today.

I believe my mom is alive today because of the advances that are taking place in breast cancer research as well as her overall attitude toward life.

With a little bit of faith, hope and courage my mom beat the odds when they were not in her favor.

She has always said, “You have to saddle up during difficult times in life.”

When I worry that the breast cancer may return, my mom always tells me, “I am too mean to let this cancer come back.”

My mother is the definition of a fighter and is the strongest woman I know. She has given my life more meaning and a greater appreciation for it.

Provided Photo

Carol Dickey, 55, with her daughter, Amy.

“And no worries I got my first mammogram this year actually. I am starting out early, not taking any chances!”

— Amy Dickey

12

2012 Cancer Cancer Awareness:Your stories

Friday, Oct. 12, 2012

David and Linda: Our life with breast cancer

By David Hopper with Linda Hopper Norman

T

he word came on Valentine’s Day. Linda had been complaining of back pain for about a year, but her physician couldn’t find anything wrong with her despite running several tests.

She also had unexplained weight loss.

Finally, in January of last year, Linda had a CAT scan. When she went to her doctor on Valentine’s Day, she was told that the CAT scan showed lesions on her bones and she was scheduled to see an oncologist.

After a couple more tests, including a bone biopsy, the diagnosis was stage 4 breast cancer. Linda had a minuscule breast tumor (they still haven’t found the tumor) that had metastacized to her bones.

The areas with cancer in a PET scan show up brighter, and in the images from her first PET scan, her back and ribs looked like a Christmas tree! The oncologist, a wonderful young woman, told us that while the cancer would not be cured, it could be managed, hopefully for several years.

The good news in all of this was that

Linda’s cancer is sensitive to estrogen; and it isn’t particularly aggressive. So, her treatments consist of a daily pill that blocks the estrogen in her system and a monthly shot of a very expensive medicine that is supposed to strengthen her bones.

When she asked the doctor what the side effects of the estrogen-blocker would be, she said Linda could have symptoms of menopause again.

Her reaction? Oh, goody! We call her hot flashes “high humidity.”

Again, the oncologist said that the source tumor was probably minuscule and we might never find it. Another good thing is that, so far, the cancer hasn’t spread to other organs — it’s just in her bones.

She still suffers some back pain, but she has pain medication for that.

Otherwise, we live our lives as normally as we can.

She has blood drawn and gets the bone-strengthening shot every month, and sees the oncologist every other month. So far, the doctor tells us that her “cancer markers” have gone down every month.

We are very grateful for that news.

We continue to travel and go about our

Provided Photo

David and Linda Hopper: “It hasn’t defeated us; and we expect at least to fight it to a draw.” daily business as usual.

We are living with breast cancer. It hasn’t defeated us; and we expect to at least fight it to a draw.

Cancer is not pleasant — the word itself is scary. But, you can live a full life, even if you have cancer in the background.

Reba: To be free of the fear of cancer is a gift Reba Archer Noble

At the age of 42, I drove a friend to the doctor. While waiting, I picked up a pamphlet that said how to self-exam your breast for cancer.

When I got home I tried that and found a hard knot about the size of a walnut. When the doctor did the exam, he said he would remove the knot and check it for cancer.

If it was clear, that’s all there would be to it.

If not, he would remove my breast. I was so totally confident it wasn’t, that when I began to come to — and all that bandage felt like a mountain — I was

so shocked.

I was very weak and I thought how can I take care of my children, one in grade school, one in junior high and one in high school.

So when the doctor came in to dismiss me, I was crying.

He said, “Why, Mrs. Archer, what’s wrong?”

I said, “I’m in worse shape now than when I came.”

And he said, “Mrs. Archer, I just handed your life back to you.”

That statement certainly set me on the right track. I went home determined to take care of myself and let them do the work. He ordered 20 radiation treatments; but at 14, I began to feel a choking in the base of my throat, so he stopped them.

In dealing with what cancer meant, my most earnest prayer was, since my moth-

er died when I was growing up, Lord, let me live until my children get grown.

I just didn’t think I could think of them coming home from school and walking into an empty house.

They have proven now that our attitude helps us overcome cancer. One day a friend had visited and was walking down the walk to her car and I was standing in the door watching her. The Lord impressed to me she does not know Jesus as her savior and all you talked about was your illness.

That certainly set me on the right way to thinking. So when anyone would ask “how are you?” I’d say I’m OK. But we have an enemy that brings thoughts to us also and it was “you are lying.”

I said, “No, I’m not, the real me is a spirit person living in this body and I’m OK

because I have peace with God through Jesus.”

Some time later, I felt a lump on the other side. I went to hear a preacher who prayed for the sick.

I said I want you to pray I’ll be free from the fear of cancer. And that’s the greatest gift I’ve ever received. Now if anyone says cancer, it has no more effect than saying a bad cold.

I have not only lived to see my children grown, but to see their children grown with no effects of cancer. I have a lot to be thankful for.

I kept my checkups for five years and was declared cancer-free. My only effects from the surgery, my arm swells and if I overuse it, it gets a fever in it and I need an antibiotic.

I am so thankful it does not cause me to fear cancer.

Cancer Cancer Awareness:Your stories

Friday, Oct. 12, 2012

13

Connie: Word came last week — cancer-free

By Connie Hearen Norman

F

or my husband's job, we moved to Texas. We purchased an RV to live.

What we thought was short-term turned into four years.

Just when I thought we were staying there and could get a house, my husband, Terry, was dignosed with heart trouble and had surgery and I was dignosed all in six months.

I found the lump right at the holidays in 2010 and thought it was an infection because I seemed healthy.

I went to the doctor on Jan. 4, 2011, the day my life changed.

I saw our local doctor in our town of 900; this was a Tuesday.

He told me to stay there, then called and got me into the surgeon on Thursday.

I asked what he suspected and he said cancer. I then had an outof-body experience.

He said, “I want to be wrong but don't believe I am.

I saw the surgeon, had a mammogram, blood work, an ultrasound and biopsy and PET scan, all that week. The techs doing the test stopped to call the doctor, even the radiologist came in and said cancer.

I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma, there was a 10centimeter tumor in my lymph nodes.

I had to start chemo, have surgery and get radiation, and now a five-year cancer pill - all with

their side effects. There also was the challenge of no family there to depend on or friends to come help so my husband could continue working.

The clinic and hospital were over 100 miles round trip and every three weeks that meant an overnight stay.

I thank all of them and the American Cancer Society.

In June of this year we moved to Norman and finally got a house.

I had to start seeing a new doctor.

I know God healed me for a purpose and I believe it is to tell others to fight for a cure.

The best news came last week when after a PET scan, I heard the words “you are cancer-free.”

Thank you, God, for your hand upon me.

Provided Photo

Connie and Terry Hearen while on a trip to Mount Scott in Medicine Park.

Gail: One day at a time

By Gail Pendley Norman

M

y name is Gail Pendley. I am 62 years old and have dealt with cancer three times in 14 years.

I was 48 the first time I acquired cancer so I had to have a complete (radical) mastectomy on my left breast.

I had surgery on a Wednesday and on Friday, after much pleading with my doctor; he let me go to Kansas for my daughter’s soccer game. GO FURY! Before I could go I had to learn how to drain the body tubes still hanging out of me.

I took a medication for almost five years to help fight off cancer but the cancer came back to the same side on my chest wall when I was 52. I then had 30 treatments of radiation, which really burned me but I am still breast cancerfree.

I then took a preventative medicine for five years but at 60, I developed Stage 3C ovarian cancer.

This ovarian cancer operation ended

up with me losing not only all female parts but also my omentum (stomach flap), spleen, part of my colon, part of the large and small intestines, and part of the bowel. Guess it was more than expected!

While receiving chemo treatments from OU hospital through the following year in Oklahoma City, my weight went down to 85 pounds. That was when I found out I was going to be a Grammie and fought really hard to stay alive.

What a wonderful moment when I got to see that baby born!

By the word fighting I mean fighting mentally and having support and love from hospital staff and many friends and family. I am a firm believer that a patient’s positive mental attitude helps tremendously.

I had such an outpouring of love from my friends at Irving Middle School where I was the front desk secretary for 13 years. Parents, students, and staff also held a one-day yard sale, Zumba class, bake sale, silent auction to help me with my needs since I wasn’t able to

Provided photo

Gail Pendley, right, with her daughter, Kristen McMurray, and granddaughter, Jocelyn, who is now 21 months old. do anything at that time. I will never be able to repay the kindness I have been given. Thank you Irving Middle School, strangers and friends, and Norman, Okla.!!!

I have now been cancer-free for two years and three months. I have gained my weight back and feel great. I still

have a few issues with nerves in my feet and hands and a few other issues that are not life-threatening, such as partial hearing loss, but all of this is so much better than another loss I was facing.

Not only do I keep a positive attitude, but I take everything one day at a time. I pray a lot and live life to its fullest.

14

2012 Cancer Cancer Awareness:Your stories

Friday, Oct. 12, 2012

Rita: ... and smoke-free, too

By Rita Weaver Doussett Norman

I

was scheduled to have a mammogram in September 2008. The facility where I was supposed to have it called me in March to let me know that someone had canceled and wanted to know if I wanted to have the March appointment. Of course I did.

That appointment was March 31, 2008. A few weeks after that, my doctor called me and we discussed the results.

I could not believe it!

I was so scared! A short time after that I had a lumpectomy. Then the doctor said I needed another surgery to remove more tissue, just in case.

Later on that year, on Oct. 2, 2008, I started chemo. I thought it was going to be a breeze.

After about a six-hour treatment that

day, my husband and I were walking to the car and he asked if I felt OK. I told him that I didn’t know what the fuss was all about.

I felt fine.

It was the third day that got me. I don’t remember ever being that sick. My hair didn’t fall out till a few weeks later. It seemed as soon as I started feeling a little better, it was time for another treatment.

I had chemo every three weeks. I don’t remember how long.

I asked my doctor if they got all the cancer, why did I have to go through all of the treatment? He said that there could be cancer cells that doctors can’t see.

After the chemo, I had to take radiation every day for six weeks.

I see my oncologist every six months.

So far, so good.

I am cancer-free now.

There is another thing that I think is very neat. I stopped smoking four years ago Oct. 1, 2008. My family and I are very proud of me!

Cancer Cancer Awareness:Your stories

Friday, Oct. 12, 2012

15

Nicole: ‘The Lord will fight for you’ Nicole Gray Noble

M

y name is Nicole Gray and I am 33 years old and was just recently diagnosed with breast cancer.

Because my entire family all had been diagnosed with the same cancer, I decided to get my blood drawn to see if I had the gene for breast/ovarian cancer.

Sure enough I had the gene! I knew it was only a matter of time, but what I didn't know was that it would come so early in my life.

Although the cancer had not spread to my lymph nodes and was contained to only one breast, I decided to go ahead and have a double mastectomy, overectomy and reconstructive surgery.

After surgery, I immediately started chemotherapy.

What has pushed me through is my faith in Jesus Christ, a supportive family, First Baptist Church and amazing community — all in Noble.

Sometimes people wonder why bad things happen to “good” people.

I have wondered that myself, but was reminded of a story I had heard while listening to Dr. James Dobson.

Moms and Dads all know how hard it is to take your child to the doctor to get their immunizations. We all

know getting these injections will help them later in life, as it will keep them healthy.

I am sure you remember very vividly holding your child down as they were getting stuck. Your child’s eyes are on you, looking for you to save them, wanting comfort, not understanding why you would let this happen. As parents, we don't have the capability to tell them in a way where they can understand.

I believe this experience is very similar to our struggles in life. We don't understand why God has us go through these obstacles, but even if he did explain why, would we really understand?

Cancer is an uphill climb, but I can honestly say that it has been a blessing!

I have learned to lean on others, my relationships with friends and family have been blessed, my faith in my Lord has turned into a love relationship — no longer just “going through the motions” of being a Christian.

Surviving cancer is also a mindset — I knew I could either kick cancer in the rear, or the cancer would kick mine! I chose the first one.

I am winning and I am a survivor!

Exodus 14:14 “The Lord will fight for you, you need only be still.”

Ross • From Page 9 “After the first treatment, I thought I was doing well,” she said. “I had a little fever, but that was the only time I felt sick at all.

“You know, some of the best moments were while going through chemo,” Ross said. “You think it’s going to be all gloom and doom in there, but it wasn’t. There were so many stories to hear.”

About this time, the team had a trip planned to Australia, it would fall during Ross’s chemo treatments. She already had missed the mission trip to Haiti, but now Australia, too?

After consultation and due consideration, her doctor adjusted the chemo treatment schedule, clearing the way for Ross to join the team on the trip.

“It was amazing,” she said. “We did all the tourist things.

“The team also had some personal down time. So while they went shopping

and such, I stayed back and rested.

“It all worked out well. It was great,” she said.

What’s next?

Ross’s goal is simply to make this into something positive.

“Robin Roberts said she wants ‘to make a message of her mess,’” Ross said, quoting ABC-TV’s “Good Morning America” anchor who is staging her own fight against cancer.

“That’s what I want to do; I want to be a message for young people,” Ross said.

“I want to let them know that this isn’t that big a deal. You can go on.

“I want to let people see that, whatever it is, with God’s help you can get through. I want to be that message for them.”

In the end, Ross brings her story full circle to her trust in her salvation.

“If you have that, you’ll be OK,” Ross said.

Provided Photo

Nicole Gray, left, with her husband, Nathan, and two daughters, Madison, 6 , and Kennedy, 2.

16

2012 Cancer Cancer Awareness:Your stories

Friday, Oct. 12, 2012