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What is beauty? Women who have battled breast cancer have a unique perspective on beauty. They know what it is to search their souls, face their fears and know that their lives and their bodies will never be the same.
oklahoma women
On the following pages, four women share their trials and triumphs in their battle against cancer. Their stories underscore their strength, their passion for life and their extraordinary beauty. Many thanks to Integris and Dillard’s whose sponsorship made this section possible, to Hair and Makeup by Drea and to the four brave and beautiful women who agreed to share their journeys. All have donated time and material in an effort to underscore the beauty and bravery of women who face breast cancer.
editor Melissa Howell T h e O k l ahoma n
photography CHRIS Landsberger T h e O k l ahoma n
illustration &design Suzanne Green T h e O k l ahoma n
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T o w at c h t h e v i d E o .
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brave & beautiful MY LIFE
I have lived in Oklahoma most of my life, with the exception of the two years my husband and I traveled as the backup musicians for an evangelist. Later, my husband started a construction business and I began to work as a bookkeeper. I eventually went back to school to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree. We have one lovely daughter, Amanda, and life is good. We are active in our church, enjoy remodeling our home and raising our daughter. MY DIAGNOSIS
At the age of 25, I experienced some discomfort in my right breast. My doctor assured me it was nothing. Then, at the age of 40, the discomfort had slowly increased. As I was conducting a self-exam, I found a lump in the spot where I had always felt some discomfort. I scheduled an appointment with my OB/GYN and he confirmed that he felt the lump as well. The doctor did a needle biopsy and sent the specimen off to the lab for testing. Waiting for the results over the weekend seemed like an eternity. On the following Monday, my worst fears were confirmed: I had breast cancer.
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jane
My cancer was thought to be Stage 1, so a lumpectomy that would remove only 10 percent of my breast was planned. However, while I was still asleep on the operating table, the surgeon stopped the surgery and went to the waiting room to meet with my husband. While removing the tumor, the surgeon had discovered it was much larger than tests had revealed. He wanted my husband’s permission to remove 75 percent of my breast. Thankfully, he told the surgeon to do everything possible to save my life. So when I awoke from surgery, most of my right breast had been removed. Additionally, they removed over 20 lymph nodes and each one tested positive for cancer — upgrading my diagnosis to Stage 3b. After three months of chemo, I met with a specialist about receiving a stem cell transplant with high dose chemo — a radical month-long procedure that would deplete my immune system, but would ideally sweep all the stray cancer cells from my body. I eventually recovered from the stem cell transplant, then went on to receive six weeks of radiation treatments. After that, I had breast reconstruction. From start to finish, my cancer journey lasted about 20 months.
wilson
F AV O R I T E I N T E G R I S M O M E N T ?
When my oncologist recommended that I meet with a specialist to discuss the stem cell transplant, I was simply terrified. One day, I was having a regular dose of chemo and one of the nurses had heard about my upcoming decision. She had spent many years as a stem cell transplant nurse and had a great deal of information to share with me. I will never forget — although there was a room full of other patients, she sat down beside me and went through the process — day by day for each of the 30 days. Then she stood up, gave me a big hug and said, “Jane, you can do this.” Her kindness and generous spirit were gifts that I will treasure forever. CLOSING THOUGHTS?
“Cancer” is a scary word on its own. “Breast cancer” is even scarier to a woman because it signifies not only the potential loss of life, but the loss of all the things that make her a woman — her breasts, her hair, and her ability to care for her family. But there is life after cancer — and it’s a beautiful one!
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brave & beautiful
“There is life after cancer — and it’s a beautiful one!”
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marsha
MY LIFE
M Y T R E AT M E N T
I am married to my wonderful husband, Dick, and we have two amazing sons — Spencer Philo of Edmond and Devron Philo of Wylie, Texas. I have five wonderful grandchildren, who are the loves of my life. On March 1 of this year I retired from Phillips 66. My years with them began in Casper, Wyo., then an assignment on the North Slope of Alaska, next I went to the Gulf of Mexico, Lafayette, La., and finally settled in Billings, Mont., for the final 18 years of employment. My passions are spending time with my family and friends, enjoying the wonders of nature and watching my beloved Oklahoma Sooners football team. MY DIAGNOSIS
I was diagnosed in late January. On Jan. 1, I fell on the ice and scraped my left arm. About a week later, I discovered a lump under my left arm. I went to the doctor and he was sure it was a swollen lymph node from the infection and scrape. After two weeks of antibiotics there was no improvement. I returned to the doctor and had a diagnostic mammogram. A lump was detected and after a biopsy it was determined to be cancer. On Feb. 10, I had surgery to remove the lump. 6
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I began chemo in March in Sheridan, Wyo. After six rounds, I began preparing for my radiation treatments. I was advised of the dangers with the type of radiation that was available there and it was recommended that I go elsewhere for my treatments. After researching my options, I chose ProCure in Oklahoma City. I am still having treatments at this time, but am amazed at the level of care and compassion I have experienced. The employees are “guardian angels” who are there for you every step of the way. FAV O R I T E I N T E G R I S M O M E N T ?
My favorite Integris moment was when I first walked into the building. I was full of anxiety and fear of the unknown. My fears immediately disappeared. The girls at the front desk assured me that I was where I needed to be to receive the best care possible. You know what, they were right! CLOSING THOUGHTS?
Cancer does not discriminate, it can affect anyone. Our health and wellbeing are our responsibility. Stay current on doctor visits and annual exams. Enjoy life every day. Tell your family how much you love them. Remember a positive attitude is one of the best medicines available.
brave & beautiful
“Enjoy life every day. Tell your family how much you love them. Remember a positive attitude is one of the best medicines available.”
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sarah I AM
mclean
“Our journey with breast cancer is life changing, but it’s not life defining.”
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brave & beautiful MY LIFE
I have been married to my husband, Steve, for 13 years. We have two children. Colin is 9 and Tatum is 8. I enjoy spending time with my family, serving the breast cancer community, reading, writing and traveling. MY DIAGNOSIS
In 2003, when I was 25, I felt a suspicious spot. I didn’t go to the doctor immediately. Over the next six months the spot grew, so I decided it was time to have it looked at. After a mammogram and biopsy I was diagnosed at the young age of 26. My initial protocol was a lumpectomy with radiation. However during the lumpectomy surgery the surgeon discovered the cancer had already started to spread. I was back in surgery the following week undergoing a radical bi-lateral mastectomy followed by a painful year of implant reconstruction. In the year to follow I experienced a lot of emotional ups and downs. I became very depressed and struggled intensely with self-image and intimacy issues. At the relentless effort of my husband we found a counselor who is also a breast cancer survivor. She was able to help us open up our communication and translate to my husband what I was going through emotionally. Her guidance was life changing for our marriage. I was cancer free for eight years … or so I thought. In August 2011 I went for a routine breast MRI. I advised the technician I had noticed something on my skeletal wall. I thought it was scar tissue. To my surprise it was another tumor. We went through a lumpectomy. Thankfully the surgeon was able to preserve my implant. However I developed a bad infection from a grapefruit-sized hematoma. After a month of healing I started a regimen of 48 high-dose radiation treatments. Unfortunately I sustained third-degree burns that required special wound care. By Christmastime I was finally finished. What a great Christmas present! God’s faithfulness sustained me. Currently I am cancer free and feeling great. M Y T R E AT M E N T
During my first diagnosis, I had a lumpectomy first, but cancer had already spread. I went back in for double mastectomy followed by a year of painful implant reconstruction. With my second diagnosis, I had a lumpectomy followed by 48 treatments of high-dose radiation and developed third-degree burns. Due to radiation I developed capsular contracture, so I had to undergo a latissimus dorsi flap where the surgeon removes a mass of tissue and muscle from your back and brings it to the chest in order to create a new blood supply. Once I completed the flap surgery I went through the expansion process again and implant surgery. F AV O R I T E I N T E G R I S M O M E N T ?
My favorite Integris moment was launching a breast cancer support group. We had make-up artists come in and do makeovers on all the ladies. It was a wonderful time. The ladies felt beautiful and we made a lot of new friends. CLOSING THOUGHTS?
Our journey with breast cancer is life changing, but it’s not life defining. We are survivors — part of an unlikely sisterhood. Through our adversity we have the opportunity to inspire hope and encouragement to those around us. Let our light shine! A P R O M O T I O N A L S U P P LE M EN T T O T H E O KL A H O M A N
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“Cancer is a dreadful disease, but God gives us the strength to travel on this journey.”
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brave & beautiful MY LIFE
I am 51 years old and married to Mike Weigel. A few years back we “blended” our families and have three sons, two daughters and one daughter- in-law. I work as the patient advocacy manager at ProCure Proton Therapy Center in Oklahoma City. Although my degrees and background are in education and marketing, I feel that this is my calling to be at ProCure at this time in my life and for that I am VERY grateful! My passions are God, my family and my ProCure family — patients and colleagues. MY DIAGNOSIS
I had just turned 50 years old and had my annual “tuneup” with my gynecologist. I was pleased that all my tests and scans turned out clear, including my mammogram. Then, about a week after, I noticed a dime-sized indention on my breast. I asked one of the doctors I worked with if I should be concerned since I had just had a clear mammogram. I was advised to call the Integris Comprehensive Breast Care Center to schedule an ultrasound. There was a mass which led to the biopsy. We found out on Friday, Oct. 18 that I had ductal carcinoma. Ironically, my 12-year-old daughter and I had registered to walk in the Susan B. Komen Race for the Cure that following Sunday. It was very surreal. When I signed up, I was just there to support all those “other” families that had been affected by breast cancer. Now, I was one of them. M Y T R E AT M E N T
Since the cancer seemed to be rather aggressive, my husband and I agreed with Dr. Lara Theobold my medical oncologist at Integris Cancer Institute that we were going to use a combination of chemo and proton therapy to “knock it out of the park!” Chemo proved to be one of the most challenging experiences I’ve ever had. But, with all the wonderful people on staff as well as my family and friends, I made it through. Then, the team at ProCure walked me through 32 treatments of proton therapy. Coincidentally, we had just started our big push to educate women on the benefits of proton therapy a few months prior to my diagnosis. There was no question about the type of radiation treatment I wanted. FAV O R I T E I N T E G R I S M O M E N T ?
When Dr. Theobold asked if I would be willing to talk to another breast cancer patient who was just beginning her journey. She was having some of the same issues with her chemo as I had experienced. I was so grateful to possibly be able to help someone else through a difficult time by what I had experienced. CLOSING THOUGHTS?
Because of my experience, I have learned that if you have dense breast tissue, breast cancer can go undetected on a routine mammogram. I am passionate about educating women to find out if they have dense breast tissue so they don’t assume they are safe because of a clear mammogram. Cancer is a dreadful disease, but God gives us the strength to travel on this journey. Sometimes that strength comes directly from Him, sometimes He sends it through others who you come in contact with. I’m thankful for all those nuggets of strength that were sent to me. A P R O M O T I O N A L S U P P LE M EN T T O T H E O KL A H O M A N
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WE’RE HERE TO TELL YOU THAT IT’S NOT. But when ONE IN EVERY EIGHT WOMEN is diagnosed with breast cancer, it’s not something we’re taking lightly, either. That’s why we have a comprehensive network of five centers throughout the Oklahoma City area dedicated to breast health that goes beyond simply booking an appointment … to building a relationship. From prevention to diagnosis to treatment and recovery, we’re here to provide thorough, specialized and – because we know how important it is to you – convenient care.
It all centers on this: 90% of breast cancer cases can be treated successfully if detected early. So get the simple mammogram that could save your life – and we’ll make sure it doesn’t take too much time out of your daily life. Evening appointments, convenient locations … and if it’s determined that a biopsy is needed, in most cases we can do it the same day. You can even schedule your own appointment at integrisok.com/mymammo. And all of it comes from the one place with the most beautiful results of all: more survivors of more types of cancer than anywhere else in Oklahoma.
integrisok.com/mymammo | 1.855.MY MAMMO
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