CANCER SURVIVOR, Mossi White...

SISTER SURVIVORS: "What were you diagnosed with? What treatments did you have, and who were your doctors?"

MOSSI: "I was diagnosed with stage two invasive ductal carcinoma. I had a lumpectomy and Brachey therapy radiation. Dr. McClellan was the radiologist who did the biopsy and gave me the diagnosis. Dr. Tudor is my oncologist and wonderful Dr. Tittensor is the surgeon. Dr. Hayes is the radiation specialist."

SISTER SURVIVORS: "How did your cancer diagnosis affect your family and friends?"

MOSSI: "The cancer diagnosis was described by my one daughter as the most horrible, enormous wreck (as in car wreck). Two of my daughters became acutely afraid of losing me. My entire family was extremely comforting and supportive. I am a very independent person, but all of a sudden my daughters wanted to accompany me to every doctor's appointment. They were wonderful, as were all of my friends. I felt enveloped in a lot of love."

SISTER SURVIVORS: "What was the hardest thing you had to go through during your cancer journey? What helped you get through it?"

MOSSI: "The absolutely hardest thing was not knowing what the right treatment was. I prayed a lot and all of a sudden the pieces fell into place and "the right" doctors came into my life. I have to admit, however, that I still wonder about some of the treatment options that I chose. Cancer is scary."

SISTER SURVIVORS: "How did your cancer diagnosis change your life?"

MOSSI: "I have always loved life and wanted to live for ever! But now I truly realize how precious and also how fragile life is. I savour every moment."

SISTER SURVIVORS: "What did you learn during your cancer journey?"

MOSSI: "I learned that I had to give up some control and trust the medical experts. That was not easy for me. I also learned that I am stronger than I thought and that my world is filled with loving, caring, wonderful people."

SISTER SURVIVORS: "What have you changed as a result of your cancer diagnosis?"

MOSSI: "I have learned that most of the things I used to worry about are not worth the time or the energy. I will now also drop whatever I am doing and go and "play" with my daughters on a moment's notice. I used to donate my time freely to a lot of causes. Now I am very selective."

SISTER SURVIVORS: "Do you have a favorite book, quote, or song that became meaningful to you during your cancer journey?"

MOSSI: "Poetess Carol Lynn Pearson wrote a poem about "Trial number five." In it she prays fervently that God will not send her trial number five. Anything, but that one. Then it comes, neatly wrapped and addressed to her. It ends with her thanking God for trial number five, because it taught her that she could handle even that and survive! Cancer is my trial number five."

SISTER SURVIVORS: "What advice would you give to a woman who is newly diagnosed with breast cancer?"

MOSSI: "Research all the things you can and then turn it over to the Lord!! Also, find the things that make you laugh!!! Laugh a lot - it really is possible even in this situation. Nightly I watch reruns of comedy shows. I highly recommend it!!"

SISTER SURVIVORS: "What advice would you give to friends and family of a newly diagnosed cancer patient?"

MOSSI: "Be continually reassuring, but don't let cancer define who she is. Just be there when she needs you to talk or simply to hug. Validate her feelings."

SISTER SURVIVORS: "Finish this sentence: "I am a ..."

MOSSI: " I am Mossi - I am a survivor."

CANCER SURVIVOR, SALOTE BERNARD

This month, our spotlight is on Salote (Sally) Bernard. Hope you enjoy the interview!
Sally and her daughter.

Sister Survivors: "What were you diagnosed with, and what treatments did you have? Who were your doctors?"

Salote: "I was diagnosed with pulmonary ductal cancer. I didn't have any treatment, they told me I was cancer free. My doctors... Dr. Schofield, and Dr. Brown and my reconstruction doctor Bishop."

Sister Survivors: " How did your cancer diagnosis affect your family and friends?"

Salote: "Everyone was scared and afraid, and didn't really know how to express themselves. I told my family we all have to have faith, and learn to love each other more, and do what is right. Cancer is just a word - they won't discuss it much in our family. Everyday they asked me how I am feeling."

Sister Survivors: "What was the hardest thing you had to go through during your cancer journey? What helped get you through it?"

Salote: "My hardest recovery was the reconstruction of my breast. I had so many ups and downs, and I feel like I am having cancer treatment. It was hard and at times I cried quietly. I prayed alot and asked my Heavenly Father for strength, since it seems I am the strength that keeps everyone in my family together. Just knowing they love, and also my Heavenly Father loves me, it keeps me going and my strength is alive again. I know this is my trial in my life, a challenge that I have to face. It comforts me."

Sister Survivors: "How did your cancer diagnosis change your life?"

Salote: "My children and my husband, they were there for me all the time, asking about my needs. The love they have for me, their strength, and not only that... you, the Sister Survivor sisters. It helps alot just coming to the meetings and hearing about your stories, and your strength helps me too."

Sister Survivors: "What did you learn during your cancer journey?"

Salote: "I knew all my life that I will die of cancer. In a way my Heavenly Father has prepared me for this time of my life with this journey that I will be taking. I didn't know what kind of cancer. The only change in my life since I have cancer is my strength. I am very tired all the time, and I can't do things like I used to do before... working long hours, lifting things, cleaning. Those are the things I have noticed, or the changes."

Sister Survivors: "What have you changed as a result of your cancer diagnosis?"

Salote: "To give more of myself, and to live less negativeness about others. Also have a smiling face, and also cherish the good and the bad times, enjoy life and live life to the fullest."

Sister Survivors: "Do you have a favorite book or quote or song that became meaningful to you during your cancer journey?"

Salote: "I love the Book of Mormon and attending the temple every week.
My favorite Songs: LOVE IS SPOKEN HERE and I KNOW MY FATHER LIVES
Quote: ISAIAH 41:10... Fear thou not. I am with thee, be not dismayed, for I am thy god. I will strengthen thee, yea, I will help thee, yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of righteous."

Sister Survivors: "What advice would you give to a woman who is newly diagnosed with breast cancer?"

Salote: "My advice is if you have been diagnosed with cancer, learn all you can, and live life to the fullest. Our lives are full of trials and this is a trial - a journey for us to make things better for ourselves and families, to strength our families. Smile, don't feel that this is it, know God love us so much that he gave us trials to uplift us and our love ones."

Sister Survivors: "What advice would you give to friends and family of a newly diagnosed breast cancer patient?"

Salote: "Not to take cancer as a bad thing that is happening to you or your family, but a journey of life togther, a journey of reuniting ourselves, a journey to love each other unconditionally, a journey to help others, a journey of strength. Don't let life get you down or this cancer. We can laugh alot, smile alot. Our Heavenly Father said, I didn't say it will be easy, but it will be worth it."

Sister Survivors: "Finish this sentence… “I am a…”

Salote: "I AM A SURVIVOR!"

Thank you, Sister Survivors, for giving me this opportunity, and I am looking forward to getting to know all you more.

Thank you again.

Love,
Sally Bernard

SISTER SURVIVORS: "What were you diagnosed with, and what treatments did you have? Who were your doctors?"

KIM: "I was diagnosed last July with Stage 1 micro-invasive ductal carcinoma (DCIS). I have a family history of breast cancer so my surgeon Dr. Peugh recommended getting the BRCA gene test and I tested positive for the BRCA2 gene. I decided to do a bi-lateral mastectomy and with the doctor's recommendation I had an oophorectomy performed at the same time. The cancer was found early so I didn't need to take radiation or chemotherapy. My cancer is estrogen positive so I am taking Femara an estrogen blocker. Dr. Bishop is my plastic surgeon."

SISTER SURVIVORS: "How did your cancer diagnosis affect your family and friends?"

KIM: "My sister and I are the 4th generation to our knowledge to be affected by the BRCA2 gene. My sister is a 20 year breast cancer survivor. Her daughter who was a senior in college was able to get the BRCA2 gene test under my serial number and tested negative. My sister then got the test done and was positive. It was such a relief for all of us that my niece was negative. My niece was planning to get a bi-lateral mastectomy done if she was positive. I haven't had my children tested yet. It's information I'm not ready to know."

SISTER SURVIVORS: "What was the hardest thing you had to go through during your cancer journey? What helped get you through it?"

KIM: "The hardest thing for me was getting over the pain of the surgery. The pain truly took over my body. Having dear family and friends I could call on a heart-beat was very reassuring."

SISTER SURVIVORS: "How did your cancer diagnosis change your life?

KIM: "I don't let things bug me like they use to. I'm more patient with myself and with others. On the other side of things I really appreciate all the little things and notice the beauty in all things. One day I was sitting at the kitchen table and my son notice a duck in our backyard. I got to enjoy only for a moment the beauty of this duck and thanked the Lord."



SISTER SURVIVORS: "What did you learn during your cancer journey?"

KIM: "What did I learn from my cancer journey? That's an ongoing journey. I have learned to enjoy every moment of the day and try to embrace it with joy. Some days are hard but I try to do my best."

SISTER SURVIVORS: "What have you changed as a result of your cancer diagnosis?"

KIM: "The number one thing I have changed is my diet. I drink green smoothies daily and I am a vegetarian."

SISTER SURVIVORS: "Do you have a favorite book or quote or song that became meaningful to you during your cancer journey?"

KIM: "The one quote that I have lived by for the past 30 years comes from my mom "If something bad happens look for the good" I have always found the good and have experienced many blessings from a positive out-look on life."

SISTER SURVIVORS: "What advice would you give to a woman who is newly diagnosed with breast cancer?"

KIM: "There is so much advice to give but I think I would tell someone that "Time heals all wounds and to be patient with yourself."

SISTER SURVIVORS: "What advice would you give to friends and family of a newly diagnosed breast cancer patient?"

KIM: "Listen and allow them to freely talk about their fears and anxiety. I felt like I had to be strong and couldn't cry in front of anyone because I didn't want to scare them."

SISTER SURVIVORS: "Finish this sentence… “I am a…”

KIM: "I am a beautiful, courageous, loving, kind, grateful daughter of God. I am not my body. I am a perfect spirit with wonderful qualities that make up my humaness."

CANCER SURVIVOR, JUDY ANN BEHUNIN...

SISTER SURVIVORS: "What were you diagnosed with, and what treatments did you have? Who were your doctors?"

JUDY: "I was diagnosed with Stage 3A, grade 3, Invasive Ductal Breast Cancer in the left breast. I was ER/PR positive, and Her-2/neu negative. I was treated with 8 rounds of chemotherapy, mastectomy, radiation, and reconstruction. Dr. Tittensor was my surgeon, and Dr. Bishop was my reconstruction surgeon. Dr Rich and Dr. Clark were my oncologists.



SISTER SURVIVORS: "How did your cancer diagnosis affect your family and friends?"

JUDY: "Initially, we were all terrified and thought it was a death sentence. My mother died just one month before my diagnosis and my family had just suffered through this. It was all too much for us. My amazing husband was a rock, and he gave me many priesthood blessings, and accompanied me to all my medical appointments. He was and is my hero. My younger 8-year-old became very insecure and clingy, and wouldn’t let me out of her sight. Our friends and distant family gave us so much support. In fact, when I was so sick with chemo, our neighborhood family totally organized, funded, and manned our son’s wedding. I felt and still feel so humbled at the generosity that so many people gave to me. My teenage son spent a lot of time in his room just trying to come to terms with my cancer. He became very emotional and moody. My children loved my bald head, and would massage my head."



SISTER SURVIVORS: "What was the hardest thing you had to go through during your cancer journey? What helped get you through it?"

JUDY: "When I was first diagnosed I was working a physically challenging job. I was so weak from the chemo that I passed out at work on a couple of occasions. It was very hard for me to get through that. I felt so embarrassed. Coupled with this was the fact that I was still mourning the death of my mother, and imagining all the terrible “what ifs” that could happen The chemo made me so sick that I couldn’t think, work, or function. I couldn’t even drive safely, so I started feeling depressed. I couldn’t eat very much at all. To combat this I listened to positive music, and kept a “gratitude journal”. I made my family take me for rides in the car. My friends organized visiting assignments for me. I read the scriptures and prayed. Gradually my usual cheery outlook emerged and I made it through."



SISTER SURVIVORS: "How did your cancer diagnosis change your life?"

JUDY: "I am much more health-conscious now. During chemo I lost 80 pounds, and I have been able to keep it off by changing my eating habits. Now my whole family eats healthier. I am more confident, outgoing, brave, and joyful now than before. I feel that I have a second chance at life, and I will no longer stand back and watch as life passes me by. I live for the moment and possibilities now and don’t worry so much about the “what ifs”. There is no better time than the present, so why put things off? For instance, our whole family is going on a cruise next month. I don’t think I would have planned a cruise before my diagnosis because I would have thought that we didn’t have enough money or time."



SISTER SURVIVORS: "What did you learn during your cancer journey?"

JUDY: "I have learned so many wonderful things. I guess one thing I have learned is that a “beautiful woman” is NOT a woman because of her body. The essence of womanhood comes from her soul and spirit, not her body. Secondly, I learned that we as human beings have an amazing ability to lift each other up. I like the quote “If the essence of my being has caused a smile to have appeared upon your face or a touch of joy within your heart, then in living I have made my mark”. By TL Odem, Jr. Thirdly, I learned that inside me there is a hero, and I can count on me, and so can others. "



SISTER SURVIVORS: "What have you changed as a result of your cancer diagnosis?"

JUDY: "I have learned to live for every moment and every relationship. Now I don’t “borrow” trouble by assuming the negative, or waste time by giving negative thoughts my attention."



SISTER SURVIVORS: "Do you have a favorite book or quote or song that became meaningful to you during your cancer journey?"

JUDY: "When I was having radiation, there was a verse taped on the wall of the dressing room. It was written by Eileen Lee, a breast cancer survivor. I copied that poem down one day, and hung it on my mirror. This verse has helped me to understand myself and find peace in each moment."



SISTER SURVIVORS: "What advice would you give to a woman who is newly diagnosed with breast cancer?"

JUDY: "I would just say, “Be patient with yourself. This too shall pass. Breast cancer is NOT usually a death sentence. Educate yourself to make informed decisions, and ASK for HELP.”


SISTER SURVIVORS: "What advice would you give to friends and family of a newly diagnosed breast cancer patient?"


JUDY: "The breast cancer patient sometimes needs to vent their feelings of anxiety, or frustration, or fear, or whatever. It is healthy for the patient to do so in a safe environment. Don’t be offended by their venting. Don’t think you can fix them or make them all better. Your role in their life is in supporting them as they work through this trial. Be positive with them and try to encourage them to live life as normally as possible and to talk about their feelings. Taking them places and doing things away from home can be very therapeutic."



SISTER SURVIVORS: "Finish this sentence… “I am a…”

JUDY: "I am a compassionate, cheerful friend, and a loving woman."

Thanks to Judy for a wonderful interview. If you'd like contact Judy, email us at sistersurvivors(at)gmail(dot)com, and we'll be happy to send the message on.

CANCER SURVIVOR, BETHANIE NEWBY...

Here at Sister Survivors blog, we'll be introducing you to a fellow cancer survivor each month. We are please to bring you an interview with Bethanie Newby - one of the cancer survivor on the board of Sister Survivors. ENJOY!!

SISTER SURVIVORS: "What were you diagnosed with, and what treatments did you have? Who were your doctors?"

BETHANIE: "Bilateral, infiltrating Lobular Carcinoma, ER/PR positive, HER2 negative, treated with mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiation, and reconstruction. Dr. Tittensor and Dr. Bishop were my surgeons, and Dr. Rich and Dr. Clark were my oncologists."

SISTER SURVIVORS: "How did your cancer diagnosis affect your family and friends?"

BETHANIE: "My husband was right there beside me through the doctor's visits, tests, and decisions. He is a hero to me. Relatives, friends, and neighbors rallied to give love and support. My five children, ages 5-17, seemed to handle it OK, although they each wanted to know if I was going to die. It was harder for them when they saw me in pain from surgery and chemo. None of them were comfortable with my bald head. Maybe that's why they prayed everyday for months that it would grow back."

SISTER SURVIVORS: "What was the hardest thing you had to go through during your cancer journey? What helped get you through it?"

BETHANIE: "My mother died of ovarian cancer, and I was terrified I would die the same way. In fact, the fear that my life would be cut short was my greatest challenge. I was frightened and angry in equal measure. What helped me through my fear and strengthened me for the journey was threefold - a caring and compassionate medical team, the fierce devotion of my loved ones, and a special witness of God's infinite love."

SISTER SURVIVORS: "How did your cancer diagnosis change your life?"

BETHANIE: "I have officially stopped waiting until my kids get older, we have more money, I get in better shape, my house is cleaner, etc. These days I am more careful about what I give my time to, and more free with what I give my heart to."

SISTER SURVIVORS: "What did you learn during your cancer journey?"

BETHANIE: "Now is good. We can't control what happens, only manage it. The journey of life is meant to be shared."

SISTER SURVIVORS: "Do you have a favorite book or quote or song that became meaningful to you during your cancer journey?"

BETHANIE: "The book, Happiness in a Storm, by Wendy Harpham, MD, is written by a doctor and cancer survivor who shows us how to live fully through all stages of cancer treatment, recovery, recurrence, and healing."

SISTER SURVIVORS: "What advice would you give to a woman who is newly diagnosed with breast cancer?"

BETHANIE: "Please don't try to fight this battle alone. Gather your friends and family close, and enlist them and your doctors in your journey of healing. Ask lots of questions so you can make careful, informed decisions. Make sure your decisions are based on what feels right for you. Finally, trust in God, your caregivers, and yourself. You can do this!

SISTER SURVIVORS: "What advice would you give to friends and family of a newly diagnosed breast cancer patient?"

BETHANIE: "Start a care page for your loved one. There are wonderful sites on the internet already, like CaringBridge.com, that let you provide updates on the cancer patient, while receiving messages from friends and family. It's a great way to communicate with a lot of people without making it hard on the one going through treatment. Let the cancer patient talk about what is happening and how she is feeling, but don't pry. In fact, there are three things you should never do. They are 1) Don't ask anyone what they have in their bank account; 2) Don't ask a rancher how many cows he has; and 3) Never ask a cancer survivor what her prognosis is.

SISTER SURVIVORS: "Finish this sentence… “I am a…”

BETHANIE: "I am a Fearless, Wise and Loving Warrior Woman."

If you'd like to contact Bethanie, please email us at sistersurvivors(at)gmail(dot)com, and we'll pass your email along.