Sister Survivors: "What were you diagnosed with, and what treatments did you have? Who were your doctors?"
DeLayne: "First of all, I was MIS-diagnosed in Sept. of 2009 after my very first mammogram when the doctor thought it was a cyst. Bless his heart. I did not know I should have had an ultrasound done, in which they would have done an immediate biopsy. This is what they did a year later when I returned having watched the "cyst" lump closely, noticing it change and grow. Diagnosis was DCIS-Ductal Carcenoma in Situ and Invasive Carcenoma.
Chemo medications were TCH-Taxotere, Carboplatin, and Herceptin (which I get every 3 weeks for one year). I had 6 chemo treatments total and went every 3 weeks. Following chemo was Radiation treatments for 28 times.
My doctors are Dr. Tittensor (surgeon), Dr. Clark (radiation oncologist), Dr. Bott (oncologist), and Dr. Bishop (reconstruction)."
Sister Survivors: "How did your cancer diagnosis affect your family and friends?"
DeLayne: "My husband and kids first thought (and frankly, mine too) was if I would die from breast cancer. We were very open with our 6 children ranging in age from 3-14. Of course the older ones understood more than the younger. We really came together as a family. The biggest blessing for us was the immediate and overwhelming support extended from family, friends, and neighbors. It was quite amazing and incredible for my children to see the goodness that comes from service, feeling the blessings of that service and many prayers. We were provided with meals, house cleaning, child care, laundry, home repairs, yard care, entertainment, listening ears, prayers and more prayers and much, much more.
Sister Survivors: "What was the hardest thing you had to go through during your cancer journey? What helped get you through it?"
DeLayne: "The hardest thing for me to get over during this cancer journey was my double mastectomy surgery. I remember the night before, looking at my saggy, droopy breasts and wishing that I could keep those darn things, knowing that I had been ungrateful for what I had. I vowed to never complain about the body I was blessed to have--and all it's parts. The anesthesia of the surgery did not sit well with me, and I struggled with that as well as the recovery process. I allowed myself sort of a mourning period, I suppose, but tried hard to stay upbeat and work hard to get to a new normal. Chemo also brought about a low I had never experienced in my life of such depressing and uncontrollable fatigue that I would often say, "I miss me." I got through these tough times with lots of prayer and lots of visits from amazing people. They helped me to laugh and cried with me and listened to me. A visit from a loved one always uplifted my soul."
Sister Survivors: "How did your cancer diagnosis change your life?"
DeLayne: "My cancer diagnosis has changed my life by giving me a bit more understanding of the fragility of life, and to live it to the fullest. I want my time with my husband and children to really count and be meaningful. I'm still learning and trying. I don't operate at full throttle yet, but we are patient --well, trying to be."
Sister Survivors: "What did you learn during your cancer journey?"
DeLayne: "During my cancer I learned that I love my husband, children, friends, and family very deeply. It is your relationship with people that counts and brings about the biggest blessing. I learned that people are really good. I learned I can do hard things, even if I'm not happy about it. I learned to be proactive when it comes to your health."
Sister Survivors: "What have you changed as a result of your cancer diagnosis?"
DeLayne: "Changes I have made are going to bed earlier, napping every day, be more conscious of my eating and exercise, to be more vocal in my love for others, real gratitude for others, and the amazing power of prayer."
Sister Survivors: "Do you have a favorite book or quote or song that became meaningful to you during your cancer journey?"
DeLayne: "I loved the book, "When Times Are Tough" by John Bytheway.
Favorite quote: "Now if you are going to win any battle you have to do one thing. You have to make the mind run the body. Never let the body tell the mind what to do. The body will always give up. It is always tired... But the body is never tired if the mind is not tired. You've always got to make the mind take over and keep going." George S. Patton, U.S. Army General and 1912 Olympian
Sister Survivors: "What advice would you give to friends and family of a newly diagnosed breast cancer patient?"
DeLayne: "Advice for family and friends is to be a part of the journey. Be a great listener. Sit with them. It's not about what you do for the person, it's just being there for and with them. Set goals for things to look forward to when each step is done and past. Be optimistic."
Sister Survivors: "Finish this sentence… “I am a…”
DeLayne: "I am... full of life and hope. I am happy. I am anxious to never get cancer again. I am optimistic. I am blessed!"
