Published: October 15, 2009 02:35 pm      

Story of Survival

This year the National Cancer Institute estimates that 192,370 American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Nearly 40% of those are predicted to die from the disease. The severity of breast cancer is strongly influenced by the stage of the disease. If detected early, the survival rate is 98% and mammograms play a vital role. According to the American Cancer Society, mammography is the single most effective method of early detection of breast cancer. Many breast cancer survivors, like Fay Johnson Paul of London and Nancy Faulkner of Corbin, attribute the mammogram for saving their lives.

Fay’s Story

It was a difficult time for Fay Johnson Paul and her two daughters. In June 1984, her father passed away. Five months later her husband died. Less than five years later, Fay finally went for the mammogram that she had put off for some time. “It was divine intervention, because I didn’t go every year like I should,” she recalls.

Within days, Fay was told she needed a biopsy to check a suspicious area in her right breast. She then received the devastating diagnosis: Breast cancer. “We were actually still adjusting to all the changes in our life,” says Fay’s youngest daughter, Gina Paul. “I pretty much stayed in denial the whole time, because we had lost a two-year lung cancer battle with my dad and I was absolutely terrified that I would lose my mom, too.   I was 19 years old, very young to have had two parents diagnosed with cancer.” 

“The cancer appeared to be in the early stages,” Fay says. “I had two different types of cancer, a slow and fast growing. My doctor told me I could have been dead the next year if I hadn’t had the mammogram.” Fay was 52 years old with two daughters in college. She determined to win the battle with breast cancer.

Fay’s doctor gave her three options. She could undergo chemotherapy, a lumpectomy (remove only the tumor), or a mastectomy (remove the entire breast). She chose to have a mastectomy.

“My oldest daughter was in graduate school at the time. She researched breast cancer and encouraged me to have the entire breast removed. There was a better survival rate and a lower incidence of the cancer returning,” Fay remembers.

“ I honestly believe that my mom chose her course of treatment (mastectomy) because of what she witnessed when my dad went through chemo treatments,” Gina remembers. “I think she was thinking that it would be hard for my sister and me to go through all that and knew it would be difficult for her as well.  But I think she chose what she thought would be easiest on her children.” 

Going in for surgery was frightening, but, through much prayer, Fay remained strong and positive.

“My daughters were depending on me. I knew I had to recover quickly.” And she did. “The doctor said I came out of surgery moving my right arm.” Fay knew what she needed to do. Maintaining range of motion in the arm is very important for healing and avoiding post mastectomy complications.

“I didn’t even need physical therapy because I was doing the arm exercises on my own. I really tried to help myself,” she says. “I’m not one to lie down and not get up.” Within six weeks she was back in full swing at her bookkeeping job.

Twenty years later, at age 73, Fay is a picture of good health.

“Having breast cancer made me pay more attention to my health,” she says. “I eat right and exercise and I still do a great deal of praying.”

If there is one piece of advice Fay has for other women, it’s getting yearly mammograms, regardless of family history of breast cancer.

“No one in my family had breast cancer, but I still worry about my daughters and granddaughters.”

Her daughters are active in raising money and awareness for breast cancer.

“We’ve participated in many events that benefit breast cancer over the years,” she says. This month daughter, Gina, will travel to Cincinnati to participate in Spin for the Cure. It is a four-hour indoor bike ride that raises money for the Susan G. Komen Foundation, which has been a pioneer in helping victims of breast cancer and funding research for the disease.

Nancy’s Story

As Nancy Faulkner was leaving her yearly check-up in July 2007, her doctor reminded her to schedule a mammogram. “I don’t know why they have to do this every year,” Nancy remembers saying to the nurse, “I don’t have a family history of breast cancer and I breastfed my son”.

The following month Nancy reluctantly kept the appointment.

“I looked at it as an inconvenience at the time.” she says, “but thank the Lord I went” The next thing Nancy heard was, “Your mammogram doesn’t look normal” and she was sent for a biopsy.

“You’ve got breast cancer,” confirmed the radiologist. It was deep in the breast tissue, very close to the chest wall. Further studies revealed it was an estrogen induced tumor, possibly caused by Nancy’s hormone replacement therapy.

Her doctor recommended a lumpectomy to remove the tumor and surrounding lymph nodes, but there was a possibility that Nancy would still require a mastectomy.

After hearing this news Nancy said, “I needed some time before surgery; I had to get my head together. There were things I needed to do.”

In October 2007, Nancy went in for surgery. The tumor was successfully removed along with four lymph nodes.

“I went in at 9 a.m. and was on my way home at 11:30 a.m.”

After several weeks of recovery, she began radiation treatment. “The doctor said if the tumor had been three centimeters bigger, I would have required chemotherapy,” she says. “My prayers were answered, because I didn’t think I could handle all the side effects of chemo.”

Nancy underwent 36 treatments of radiation. Because the treatments weaken the immune system, she had to take strict precautions to decrease exposure to germs.

“I would go to Wal-Mart at midnight to avoid the crowd and I had very good hand washing.”

In addition, Nancy stayed optimistic and upbeat. “I’d lay there during treatments and think good thoughts and pray. That is what got me through.”

The radiation finally ended in January.

“I never had any trouble,” Nancy recalls. To decrease the likelihood of recurring breast cancer, she was placed on Arimidex, a medication which prevents the body from producing estrogen, because some types of breast cancer, like Nancy’s, thrive on estrogen.

To make sure the cancer has not returned, Nancy continues to be closely monitored by her doctors. She has blood work done every three months and mammograms twice a year.

Like Fay, Nancy no longer takes her health for granted.

“Breast cancer alters your life and thinking. I take better care of myself now.” She gets regular exercise, drinks plenty of water and includes multivitamins and calcium into a healthy diet.

She praises local doctors and the Commonwealth Cancer Center for their outstanding care.

“Our area is very lucky to have such wonderful doctors and technology. I’m very thankful for them,” she says.

She also speaks of the kindness and support that the Tri-County Cancer Coalition.

Nancy’s advice to other women is to schedule a mammogram on your birthday every year. Taking care of yourself is the greatest gift you can give yourself and your family.