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."
