No One Fights Alone
BREAST CANCER
A W A R E N E S S AWARENESS
Russell Medical uses state-of-the-art technology A NEW WAY TO DIAGNOSE
By MELODY RATHEL Multimedia Reporter
Routine testing could be the difference between life and death. With mammography technology continuing to advance, life-threatening tumors can be found much quicker. While technology like this is found in advanced medical facilities in large cities, it can also be found right here in Alexander City.
The Russell Medical Women’s Center offers the state-of-the-art mammogram screening technology, the GE Pristina. Unlike traditional mammography screening that takes two-dimensional photos, the GE Pristina’s new technology takes three-dimensional images.
“It’s like a book with chapters,” Russell Medical mammography technologist Kimmy Thompson said. “If you take a book, and it’s got chapters, you’re fumbling through it. So it’s giving slices of the breast.
The mammogram covers an arc, and it’s doing images at different angles, providing a more accurate and detailed image.”
When performing the mammogram, the technology takes nine images per view. In addition to providing a more detailed image, the technology also uses a minimal amount of radiation as it moves through the tissue, Russell Medical mammography technologist Piper Sherrer said.
To ensure the best results, Thompson and Sherrer recommend women limit caffeine two to three days prior to their mammogram.
“Caffeine can cause extreme breast tenderness,” Sherrer said.
She said when patients do not limit caffeine, it makes it more difficult for them to compress the breast, which is necessary for the best image possible.
“The compression has a reason,” Sherrer said. “It’s not designed to hurt. It’s to give you the best
image possible and reduce your radiation as much as possible. The more compression you take, the better image you take.”
Thompson and Sherrer recommend women perform self-exams on their own breasts on a regular basis to detect any abnormalities on themselves.
Some abnormalities that women should bring to the attention of their primary care physician are sudden pain, lumps that were not present before, nipple changes, nipple discharge or sudden nipple inversion. “When you examine your breast regularly, you notice a change,” Sherrer said.
If women notice a change, they should bring it to the attention of their primary care physician. If their PCP recommends them to get a mammogram, their doctor should provide them a referral to schedule an appointment at the Russell Medical Women’s Center. Women can get a referral to the Women’s Center once a year for routine testing as well.
The GE Pristina is one of the most accurate forms of mammography technology out there, and it can be found right at Russell Medical.
Melody Rathel / Tallapoosa Publishers
DOUBLE DOSE OF COURAGE
Flavia Freeney’s breast cancer journey
By SAMUEL HIGGS
Sports Editor
For many when they think of Flavia Freeney they know about her as the head volleyball coach of Stanhope Elmore or as the P.E. teacher at Millbrook Middle School, but what some may not know is she is a twotime breast cancer survivor.
In 1989 she went in for a typical checkup with her doctor following the birth of her son when she mentioned to her doctor that she felt a lump in one of her breasts. She was told to come back in a month for further testing when she later found out she had breast cancer.
“They went for a needle biopsy and it came back positive,” Freeney said. “Back then there wasn’t genetic testing, there wasn’t anything. Basically, they said you got to go in and start chemo treatments. So I had a radical mastectomy, which was just the one breast was removed. I went through six rounds of chemo, which at that time I had one, an infant child that was less than a year old and one that was two years old.”
After she finished chemotherapy, Freeney was cancer-free and consistently went in for five-year checkups. After nearly 30 years of being cancer-free, during one of her regularly scheduled mammograms, she would later be diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time. It was also revealed that she possessed a genetic trait that meant she was more likely to develop breast cancer and is also susceptible to other forms like pancreatic cancer.
She would have her other breast removed and started chemotherapy for the second time. The rounds of chemotherapy were difficult for Freeney, as she described her own experience not just dealing with the physical side effects, but the mental aspect of chemo as well.
“Chemo is some, some nasty stuff, I’ll tell you,” Freeney said. “To have the kind of chemicals into your body that is going to take to kill those cancer cells, they’re strong and they take a toll on you, they do. You have to learn who you are now, you’re a new person. I had a counselor who talked to me about it and said, ‘Basically that person who you were has died and now you’re a new person.’ You have to find out who you are within this scope, and you definitely learn to appreciate the little things you find.”
Although reeling through the
ABOVE: Many people know Stanhope Elmore’s Flavia Freeney as the P.E. teacher and volleyball coach, but she is also a twotime breast cancer survivor. RIGHT: Each year, Freeney is honored at the Pink Out night.
hardship of cancer that did not stop Freeney from finding her own way to get through the battle.
“To me, you find humor and laughter because as long as you can find something funny and something that you can laugh at,” Freeney said.
“Because you don’t want to take it serious, you’re already facing something so serious you don’t want to do that with everybody else.”
Freeney has an extremely positive outlook throughout her battle, but still urges everyone around her to stay up to date and make sure they get their testing done before it is too late, describing the fight her mother had with ovarian cancer.
“My mother passed away from ovarian cancer, and she fought that for five years,” Freeney said. She fought a really long battle and lost, but part
Cliff Williams / Tallapoosa Publishers Inc.
‘I’m a survivor and living by it’
Breast cancer survivor shares story of faith, strength
By ABIGAIL MURPHY Multimedia Reporter
Quin Tuck never thought it would be her.
She got the news at work. She thought it might have just been a cyst, but it was stage two breast cancer. Tuck said it was the worst day ever.
Tuck works at Lake Martin Community Hospital in phlebotomy, and she said she couldn’t have done her cancer journey without her best friend at the hospital, her supervisor, her mom, her sisters and her grandmother’s favorite scripture Isaiah 41:10.
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Tuck said it’s the only scripture she has ever stood by.
“I’m going to tell you I didn’t have any faith until my diagnosis and now my faith in God is bigger than ever,” she said. “Cancer runs in my family, but never in a million years did I ever think it would be me. And I did question why, which I know we aren’t supposed to question God but now I know why. And that’s between me and the man upstairs.”
Tuck has been a cancer survivor for almost a year. She was diagnosed in June 2023 and went through six weeks of chemotherapy before officially being declared cancer free Nov. 9, 2023. She said she is thankful they caught the cancer early and it didn’t spread to her lymph nodes.
With that, Tuck said no matter how bad you feel or what you think others might say, get your screenings and do your breast self-exam. If you find anything, let a doctor check it for you because you never know.
Tuck said whatever the outcome — cry about it, accept it, keep your faith, pray and continue to keep going. This journey has made Tuck who she is today.
“I’m a survivor and I’m living by it,” she said.
Submitted / Tallapoosa Publishers
of that was she waited. She should have gone to see a doctor a lot earlier, but she kept putting it off. If you put it off, it’s possible that you’re giving cancer a foothold that you don’t want it to have, because if everything can be caught early, it’s so much
Breast cancer survivor Quin Tuck has been cancer free for nearly a year. She was first diagnosed in June 2023.
easier to get taken care of, just stay on top of it, listen to your body, go and get your mammogram, go and get checkups when you’re supposed to. Don’t ever put those off and decide that you’re too busy to do that. That’s, you’re never too busy
for your own health.”
Freeney is currently cancerfree, but her new lease in life is even more appreciated with the support staff she has around her spanning across family and the students she works with on a daily basis. Allowing her to cherish every
moment she has after the journey she has been on.
“What kept me going is my support group, my husband being there, my dad, my family, my children, grandchildren, but also my students at school,” Freeney said. “They were just as
continued from Page 4
sweet as they could be about everything being around them, I just get energy from them. They are so full of life and it’s infectious when you’re around kids. To me, you just feel that energy and you just have to enjoy life when you’re around them.”
Freeney
Cancer survivor finds support in Tallassee students
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
It’s been almost six months since Tallassee High School teacher Traci Evans began her journey with breast cancer. Her diagnosis may have come as a bit of a shock, but in the process Evans found unwavering support from her students.
Students have left notes, given hugs and simply stopped by her business classroom giving her words of encouragement along the way. The students’ biggest sign of support came when she was an honorary coach of the volleyball team at the annual Think Pink Volleyball game earlier this month. It’s an event she has always attended in the 10 years Evans has been at Tallassee. Evans was always in the background taking pictures. This time she was in front of the camera at the request of the students — to honor her and show her support for her current battle with breast cancer.
“I got emotional that night,” Evans said. “It was just overwhelming, but it
was definitely an honor. There is also amazing support from the staff and community too.”
The volleyball team and students surrounded Evans, gave her balloons
and flowers. She wiped her eyes a few times realizing the support she has. Evans realized at center court she was the center of Tallassee High School’s motto — tradition, honor, family,
“I felt like it’s always been a family here, but it really has outdone itself,” Evans said. “I mean, people have just gone above and beyond.”
The school followed tradition in honoring Evans at the volleyball match. They have become an extended family offering support even on bad days hoping for success in Evans’ battle.
“The students and faculty are always checking on me,” Evans said.
The students even know her treatment schedule. When she has been at school on Wednesdays, a day Evans has been in Birmingham in recent months, they ask her if everything is alright.
Right now it is as she waits for news of success following her second round of chemotherapy. Evans is waiting to see if the tumor has gotten smaller to allow surgery.
The cancer was found not by a self exam or seeing a lump in a yearly mammogram.
Cliff Williams / Tallapoosa Publishers
Tallassee High School teacher and honorary volleyball coach Traci Evans, center, wipes her face as everyone joins in a prayer for her at the Think Pink volleyball game.
Cliff Williams / Tallapoosa Publishers
Traci Evans, right, speaks with the volleyball coaches and athletes at the Think Pink volleyball game.
Evans’ battle with breast cancer started when a radiologist found something. They discovered a slight size increase in one of her lymph nodes in late April. A May MRI found the tumor and chemotherapy soon began.
Evans was accepted into clinical trials at UAB. It is all cancer treating drugs used before, just in different combinations than what has been tried before.
It required weekly or more frequent trips to Birmingham.
The first round was stopped when spots in her lungs were found.
She just completed the second round of treatments. Good news means surgery and then radiation.
“Hopefully I can do the radiation closer to home,” Evans said.
But no matter the outcome, Evans knows her “family” will be there for her — even when she is feeling a little overwhelmed in the classroom.
“I just take it day by day and do what I can as much as I can.” Evans said. “Even on the bad days everyone tries to brighten it. I lets me know my support system, my family, is much larger than I realize.” Survivor continued from Page 8
BREAST CANCER SURVIVORSHIP
Harden’s trials bring new outlook on life
By MELODY RATHEL Multimedia Reporter
The trials of life are never easy to overcome; however, they can transform into invaluable lessons.
Candace Harden, an Alexander City local, learned one of the most valuable lessons there is — to value life.
Just three days after her 50th birthday, Harden received a gutwrenching diagnosis of stage 2 triple negative breast cancer on Jan. 18, 2022.
“I never felt the mass, but my regular mammogram detected it,” she said. “The surgeon who performed the biopsy helped me find an oncologist.”
Luckily, her surgeon referred her to an oncologist who she was able to see the same day, which ended up being a silver-lining of her treatment process. But this was only the precursor to more tragedy.
“Tragically, eleven days after my diagnosis, my husband of 31 years passed away suddenly,” Harden said. “Two days after the funeral, I had a PET scan and multiple MRI’s done, followed by the insertion of a chemo port the next day.”
She began chemotherapy on Feb. 15, 2022. Her treatment plan included 12 weekly treatments with four additional treatments every three weeks.
Based on her results from her PDL1 marker, her oncologist determined immunotherapy would be the most effective treatment.
“After three chemo treatments, my hair started falling out in handfuls, so I had it shaved off,” Harden said. “A little later, my eyelashes and eyebrows fell out as well.”
Alongside chemotherapy, Harden was receiving treatments of Keytruda. The combination of the two brought some side effects.
“Chemo and Keytruda caused severe fatigue and thigh pain,” she said. “Fortunately, I did not have any nausea and vomiting. During the entire chemo and Keytruda journey, I had to be given iron once and took B12 shots every time my port was flushed. The last four treatments involved a very strong chemo drug. Each time I had one of these treatments, I had to come back the next day and get a Neulasta shot to raise white blood cells because the last four chemo treatments would drop my white blood cells to 1 or 2.”
Harden went through a series of treatments for six months. It wasn’t until Aug. 2022 when things began to change for the better.
“After completing chemo and Keytruda treatments, scans showed no cancer,” she said. “In August 2022, I underwent a double mastectomy.”
Following her surgery, she resumed Keytruda infusions throughout the remainder of the year. She started her remaining Keytruda infusions in Oct. 2022, with 14 treatments left. She
completed nine of those treatments throughout October. In November, she began radiation therapy. Her final five Keytruda treatments resumed after she finished radiation therapy.
“The Keytruda treatments were extremely difficult,” Harden said. “I almost stopped them, but my oncology team encouraged me to continue, and I’m glad they did. I lost weight due to the mastectomy, but the additional weight loss from the remaining Keytruda infusions was unhealthy. By the time I finished Keytruda, I weighed around 85 pounds, which was a huge wake-up call.”
Harden sought treatment to replenish the nutrients that had been depleted during her treatments. Over time, she made gradual efforts to eat more and more, and eventually began to gain weight; however, it wasn’t that easy. Although she was trying to reintroduce more foods over time, she still had to make multiple emergency room visits
for dehydration and low blood sugar. Concurrently, she was attending followup oncology appointments every three months, and getting scans every six months to ensure the cancer was gone.
Today, she is back at a healthy weight, and can eat normally. She has made efforts to return to life as normal despite the hardships.
“At the start of 2024, I began discussing breast reconstruction with a surgeon and opted for the free flap method, which uses abdominal tissue and muscle,” Harden said. “This surgery was lengthy due to the need to attach blood vessels to the breast area. I chose this over implants because they require more maintenance.”
After her doctors confirmed she was healthy enough to endure this surgery, she had the operation done on Aug. 12. The surgery lasted nearly 12 hours — but she is still in recovery.
“Recovery has been tough and painful, especially since I can’t use
my muscles,” Harden said. “I have countless dissolvable stitches.”
Her next steps include a two-hour outpatient procedure for maintenance.
After two and half years of being cancer-free, her recurrence rate has dropped; however, she still gets scans done every year and gets checkups every six months. While her life is now getting back on track, she is still troubled by the hardships she endured throughout the process. She still has some minor pain from Keytruda treatments, but has sought help through physical therapy.
“This journey has been extremely hard; I do not wish this on anyone,” Harden said. “My hair has come back. My eyelashes are there but much shorter than before. My eyebrows are there but you have to look really hard to see them. I strongly recommend all women to get their mammograms yearly. It may save your life like it did mine.”
Alexander City resident Candace Harden has taken her breast cancer journey and made it into a new outlook on life.
FAITH, FAMILY AND SCHOOL
Wetumpka teachers find support 24/7 while fighting cancer
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Wetumpka Middle School teachers
Karen Clark and Athina Ryals are battling cancer at the same time. They are leading the charge but are relying on faith and relishing the support of family, co-workers and students to be soldiers. They are even finding support in each other as cancer survivors.
“Everyone is constantly sending me texts of encouragement,” Clark said. “They are praying for me. They visit me and check on me. Everyone has just been so good.”
Just because she has cancer, doesn’t mean Clark isn’t teaching. She balances chemotherapy and teaching. Along the way students are leaving words of encouragement on her door and bulletin boards. The staff drops in just to chat and offer support and for Ryals too.
“Our school here has just been over backwards with us,” Clark said. “Our faculty and administration, they’re just always thinking of us.”
Clark is a teacher in the gifted program and Ryals in special education. Their students are their battle partners. They aid in taking the survivors minds off the war at hand.
Ryals is a five year survivor of stomach cancer who has recently had to start treatments again. Clark’s battle with Stage 3, triple negative breast cancer began in November 2023. There was no family history of breast cancer.
“I had my yearly mammogram in May 2023 and there was nothing,” Clark said. “I also do a self exam and in November I found a knot.”
Clark was in the doctor’s office a few days later. Numerous tests were run and in January 2024 she got the breast cancer diagnosis and has been fighting ever since.
Clark knew she would lose her hair with chemotherapy. She took the proactive step and cut it before it fell out and donated it to Wigs for Kids.
“I went from below my shoulder to like almost very little hair,” Clark said.
“The students were never once rude about it. They would say, ‘I love your hair.’ or ‘I like short hair.’”
The students are the foot soldiers in Clark’s battle. The school staff is supportive. They have to deal with the numerous treatments. She also gets amazing support from her family.
Ryals and Clark have found support in each other.
“It’s been very supportive for both of us,” Clark said. “She has learned lots of little tricks. She will share what clothing to wear for treatments to make it easier.”
Ryals has found a support system in her medical team. Some she has been around for years. Some of the medical team has been touched greatly by family battles with cancer.
Clark has inspired Ryals. Clark is in the middle of her third round of chemotherapy. But her tumor hasn’t stopped growing. It hasn’t fazed Clark even though she just started her third round of chemotherapy.
“For me as a Christian, I prayed for peace,” Clark said. “I have peace with this even as my cancer is continuing to grow. The treatment is not working for me right now. We’re praying that this new one works to help slow it down.”
The peace came during Clark’s first prayers not even a year ago. She has shared that with Ryals.
“Our trust is in the Lord,” Clark said. “He is the one who gives us peace in the middle of uncertain times. It was something that came immediately for me. It’s huge. I made a decision that day when I heard the word cancer. I’m going to trust in God and I’ve not looked back.”
Ryals also finds inspiration in students to continue her battle with stomach cancer. She has shared with her special education students that everyone dies at some point. One sixth grader took Ryals’ new battle to heart, hugging her, not wanting to lose a favorite teacher who has become family.
“We all die at some point, only the good Lord knows when we’re going home,” Ryals told the student. “I don’t plan on leaving anytime soon.”
Ryals said the student took her words well and got a heartwarming response.
“That’s good, because I’m going to need you all year long,” the student told Ryals.
Local ministry provides support for patients, caregivers
By ABIGAIL MURPHY Multimedia Reporter
Our Journey of Hope is a ministry that supports those on their cancer journey, and for Breast Cancer Awareness month they hosted a cancer awareness fundraiser luncheon.
Breast cancer survivor Marteka Cox said after one of her mammograms, she was told she needed a second test. Cox said she is a frugal person, and she ignored giving the second test for two years, but her mom told her she needed to do it this time. Cox was then diagnosed with breast cancer.
“When you do hear that word cancer, fall apart a little bit, but I got myself together,” Cox said. “So, from the time of diagnosis to being cancer free and ringing the bell, it was less than 30 days. It was sudden for me; I know a lot of people suffer for a long time.”
Cox went through her cancer treatment during the height of the pandemic, so she didn’t have a lot of visitors and was outpatient quickly.
“Jesus requires us to participate in our own healing,” Cox said. “You have to be smart enough to listen to these doctors. They tell you, come back for a test. Don’t be like me. Going back. I could’ve had cancer for two years and not even really know about it.”
Guest speaker chaplain Rev. Dr. Janice Jenning Williams of Northside Hospital in Atlanta asked the room to think back to when they were called caregivers. To kick it off, she told her story. When Williams was 13 years old, her father was in an accident and was looking at him in the hospital bed thinking how she could make him better. Since then, Williams has had relatives who had cancer, she herself had colon cancer and her son was diagnosed with MS. She knew she wanted to help take care of others.
“So as the journey went on, my husband had a heart attack,” Williams said. “And he was in the hospital,
Submitted / Tallapoosa Publishers
Wetumpka Middle School teachers Athina Ryals, left, and Karen Clark are both battling cancer at the same time. Both have found support in their family and school staff and students while staying positive through faith.
PINK & TEAL FASHION SHOW Horseshoe Bend School honors cancer awareness in unique way
By ABIGAIL MURPHY Multimedia Reporter
Horseshoe Bend School hosted its 13th annual Pink and Teal Fashion Show with many students excited for the show weeks in advance.
The Pink and Teal Fashion Show is organized by the school’s Family, Career and Community Leaders of America chapter. The pink for the fashion show is to represent breast cancer, the teal is for cervical and ovarian cancer and this year, in honor of student Hayes Hunter who has leukemia, the show added orange.
The school packed out its auditorium with over 40 students participating as models for the show.
The winners for the show were second grader Sadie Branch with third place, sixth grader Ramsey Patterson with second place and fourth grader Hazel Moody with first place.
Last year, the fashion show raised about $800 and student organizer and FCCLA member Isabella Tucker said they are hoping for similar numbers this year.
The proceeds from the show go toward Tallapoosa’s Caring Refuge, which is a local organization aiding individuals on their cancer journey from financial to emotional needs.
Tucker said she, and her fellow organizer and FCCLA member Sophie Walls, started getting ready for the show during the summer. Most of the planning was focused on figuring out the theme, picking out music, getting decorations and advertising the event. This year’s theme was “Sweeten the fight with FCCLA” with candyland inspired decorations.
“This is our favorite project,” Tucker said. “We look forward to it every year and it’s for a good cause.”
FCCLA adviser Felicia Williams said the fashion show did stop for a little bit because of the pandemic but last year the school was begging them to bring it back and each year it has brought a full house.
The following students were participants in the show: Adalynn Turner, Emily Thomas, Caroline Coker, Lylah Snider, Blair Burkhaulter, Tesla Sasser, Shelby Allen, Bentley Millien, Frances Kay Whatley, Cooper Rape, Abigail Burdett, Elly Miller, Chloee Brooks, Evie Kate Platt, Arya Snider, Ollie Snider, Asher Barrett, Emma Denomma, Brooks Larson, Max Bell, Hasten Mitchell, Whitley Cantrell, Kayleigh Simpson, Cayden Christian, Jaxon McCord, Carolyne Chambelin, Macon Daniel, Ruby Hodnett, Aria Rodman, Brianna Rasnick, Lauren Grace Smith, Whitley Daniel, Ava Butler, Madalynn Mitchell, Sunny Clair Davis,
Murphy /
ABOVE: Fourth grader Hazel Moody, left, wins first place. Sixth grader Ramsey Patterson takes second and second grader Sadie Branch wins third. RIGHT: First grader Madalynn Mitchell poses with her pink dress for the Pink and Teal Fashion Show. BELOW: This year the show included orange for Hayes Hunter who has leukemia.
and
Luke Queen, Brynn Burkaulter, Emma Seaton, Jake Kolb, Tatum Brown
Faith Patterson.
Abigail
Tallapoosa Publishers Inc.
and I listened to doctors and nurses and all of these different people say what was going to happen, but I had to be an advocate for him at that time. And that’s what caregivers are. We are advocates for those who cannot speak for themselves, not because they’re unconscious or anything, but just because of what they are going through and sometimes they can’t think of everything.”
All these moments led Williams to be a caregiver, with oncology as her specialty. She said as a caregiver, you have to remember who you are so you can remind patients who they are.
Williams had a 19-year-old patient. He had just gotten a diagnosis, and he didn’t know what he was going to do. She asked him well what he was doing before, and he said he plays football, and he takes care of his younger siblings. She told him you are still going to do all those things and encouraged him to go through this journey with a positive attitude about life.
“That young man is healed, and he is in college, and he is playing football — we have to hold it to our hearts,” she said.
Williams said caregivers are in the fight against cancer as patients are and you have to lean on each other and your faith to see that battle through.
“Even for those that are not here before us right now, we won the battle,”
Our Journey of Hope welcomes in new members. The ministry aids cancer patients and caregivers.
she said. “They are in heaven, because if you reminded them of God’s promises and God’s word, and if you were there for him, sharing his unwavering love, then you help them to make it to that place where they are totally and completely healed.”
Our Journey of Hope teaches caregivers how to care for themselves,
how to care for other caregivers and how to care for the patient through their cancer journey. Those of Our Journey of Hope also help the caregiver and patient remember their faith through this ministry.
They help provide transportation for patients, household chores, do hospital visits, assist with medication payments or
utilities and network with other agencies on the patient’s behalf.
This is the New Adka Our Journey of Hope ministry sixth year, and it wouldn’t be possible without donations and members.
The Cancer Awareness Fundraiser Luncheon was held at noon Oct. 5 at the New Adka Education Building.
Abigail Murphy / Tallapoosa Publishers
Breast cancer shows no symptoms in the early stages.
The Women’s Center at Russell Medical reminds you of 3 measures that could save your life:
MONTHLY SELF EXAM • YEARLY CLINICAL BREAST EXAM • YEARLY MAMMOGRAM
The Women’s Center at Russell Medical is equipped with 3D mammography, providing the best evaluation of breast tissue layer by layer.
We encourage you to make an appointment with your provider to discuss scheduling your 3-D mammogram.
The Women’s Center at Russell Medical Professional O ce Building, Suite 240 • 256-329-7246
