I met Nancy right after she was diagnosed, and had a mastectomy. She has attended the support meetings that she could during her chemo treatments. I've enjoyed getting to know her a little bit, and hope you do, too!
Lifting Hearts: "What were you diagnosed with, and what treatments did you have? Who were your doctors?"
Nancy: "I was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carncinoma, Stage 2b. I had a mastectomy and about 9 lymph nodes from under my arm removed. Then I had 8 chemo treatments, which I just finished. In about 2 weeks I will start 5.5 weeks of radiation therapy. I'll also be taking an Estrogen inhibitor for 5 years. My oncologist is Nathan Rich, my surgeon was Jennifer Tittensor, and my radiologist is Jay Clark."
Lifting Hearts: "How did your cancer diagnosis affect your family and friends?"
Nancy: "All of them were shocked & devastated at first because there is no history of breast cancer in my family, and cancer is such a frightening diagnosis - one you hope you never hear about someone close to you! But, they also wanted to be involved and know about everything that would happen during treatments. They have all been very active in the process."
Lifting Hearts: "What was the hardest thing you had to go through during your cancer journey? What helped get you through it?"
Nancy: "The hardest thing for me to go through has been the emotional lows. I have had, and continue to have, moments of fear and discouragement: fear of the cancer coming back, fear of what the next treatment may mean for me, fear that I won't ever feel like my old self again. Sometimes the 2 weeks between treatments felt like months - that was discouraging."
Lifting Hearts: "How did your cancer diagnosis change your life?"
Nancy: "The first biggest change - my husband and I had to come home from Jerusalem. He was serving as the Associate Director over the BYU student program there. We were supposed to be there for 2 years and had finished only 8 months when I was diagnosed. We came home immediately. Next change -- cancer treatment has become my life. Everything I have done since April has had to be scheduled around doctors' appointments, treatments, and low-immune days. I've missed several family gatherings and time with friends because the events fell during my low days."
Lifting Hearts: "What did you learn during your cancer journey?"
Nancy: "Things I've learned: Beautiful music can lift your soul. Laughter is good medicine. God knows who I am and He sends angels to answer my prayers. They come in the form of family, friends and even total strangers. I have been absolutely overwhelmed and amazed at the outpouring of love, support, help, and prayers of these angels."
Lifting Hearts: "What have you changed as a result of your cancer diagnosis?"
Nancy: "I'm trying to eat healthier. I count my blessings more often. I'm taking my oncologist's advice: "Don't let cancer keep you from living your life."
Lifting Hearts: "Do you have a favorite book or quote or song that became meaningful to you during your cancer journey?"
Nancy: "A hymn - "How Great Thou Art"."
Lifting Hearts: "What advice would you give to a woman who is newly diagnosed with breast cancer?"
Nancy: "Let people help you. They feel awful about this too, and don't know what they can possibly do besides bring in a meal or do some laundry, or run an errand for you. You'll both love each other more if you let them. When you get really discouraged - talk to someone who has been there and can encourage you. Never give up!!"
Lifting Hearts: "What advice would you give to friends and family of a newly diagnosed breast cancer patient?"
Nancy: "Even if they "look" healthy - they cannot do everything they could before. Cancer and treatments take a toll on the body physically and emotionally. Even after treatments are over it will take quite a long time for them to be back to where they once were - don't get impatient or unrealistic in your expectations. On the other hand - do encourage them to stay as active as they can - just don't push if they don't feel up to it."
Lifting Hearts: "Finish this sentence… “I am a…”
Nancy: "I am a lucky and very blessed lady! I can't comprehend the love from my Heavenly Father - but I feel it!"
