October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month! Breast cancer forms when malignant cancer cells grow in the breast tissue. A whopping 1 in 8 women will unfortunately be affected by this disease during their lifetime. It is the form of cancer most commonly found in women, and over 220,000 women will be diagnosed yearly in the United States alone. This entire month is dedicated to increasing awareness about the disease, supporting women who are bravely batting cancer, and raising funds for research, diagnosis, treatment and a cure.
The diagnosis can be overwhelming. Survivor Emily Myers Garner says, "To hear the words 'you have cancer' is completely devastating...At the time, my only thoughts were that I was going to lose my breasts and my hair - the two things that made me feel feminine and beautiful." However, there is positive news for women diagnosed with breast cancer. Death rates have been steadily decreasing since 1990 because of screening, early detection, better awareness and highly successful treatments. Today, we are honored to share the stories of two Mississippians who have courageously faced - and defeated - breast cancer.
Emily Myers Garner's Story
Tell me about your diagnosis. How was your breast cancer detected?
I was diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer in 2002 at age 29. As a former healthcare marketing professional, I was tasked with promoting my hospitals’ “Pink October” breast health awareness campaign in the community; this meant coordinating health fairs around the Metro Jackson area and educating the public about the importance of self–breast exams (SBEs) and mammography. After educating over 500 women that month, I decided that I needed to practice what I was promoting. So, in October of 2002, I performed an SBE at home and found a lump in my left breast. After observing it for a few days, I decided to contact my OB-GYN to get a professional opinion. When the nurse practitioner performed a clinical exam and also felt the lump, I insisted that I get a mammogram that day. After the mammogram and ultrasound showed a suspicious mass with calcifications, I was referred to a breast surgeon who performed a stereotactic breast biopsy and diagnosed my cancer within two days. Just two weeks later, I was in the OR undergoing a radical mastectomy on my left breast.
Tell me about your diagnosis. How was your breast cancer detected?
I was diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer in 2002 at age 29. As a former healthcare marketing professional, I was tasked with promoting my hospitals’ “Pink October” breast health awareness campaign in the community; this meant coordinating health fairs around the Metro Jackson area and educating the public about the importance of self–breast exams (SBEs) and mammography. After educating over 500 women that month, I decided that I needed to practice what I was promoting. So, in October of 2002, I performed an SBE at home and found a lump in my left breast. After observing it for a few days, I decided to contact my OB-GYN to get a professional opinion. When the nurse practitioner performed a clinical exam and also felt the lump, I insisted that I get a mammogram that day. After the mammogram and ultrasound showed a suspicious mass with calcifications, I was referred to a breast surgeon who performed a stereotactic breast biopsy and diagnosed my cancer within two days. Just two weeks later, I was in the OR undergoing a radical mastectomy on my left breast.
How did you feel about the news?
To hear the words “you have cancer” is completely devastating. To hear the words “you have breast cancer” is even more life altering as a woman. At the time, my only thoughts were that I was going to lose my breasts and my hair - the two things that made me feel feminine and beautiful. As a young, single woman, it was a truly devastating diagnosis. I thought I would never marry because no man would ever find me attractive again and that would also mean no children or family of my own. After much soul searching, I finally came to realize that I was “not my hair and not my breasts” and that perhaps I could find someone that would love me for all of the other parts that made me Emily.
To hear the words “you have cancer” is completely devastating. To hear the words “you have breast cancer” is even more life altering as a woman. At the time, my only thoughts were that I was going to lose my breasts and my hair - the two things that made me feel feminine and beautiful. As a young, single woman, it was a truly devastating diagnosis. I thought I would never marry because no man would ever find me attractive again and that would also mean no children or family of my own. After much soul searching, I finally came to realize that I was “not my hair and not my breasts” and that perhaps I could find someone that would love me for all of the other parts that made me Emily.
And how did your family react?
My parents and sister were extremely supportive and nurturing. I was unmarried at the time, and I depended heavily on my sister to help me through my surgery and subsequent treatments. I call her my “guardian angel” through those very difficult months of recovery and chemotherapy. She was the one who stripped my drains after surgery, nursed me after chemo, shaved my head when my hair started falling out, and administered my shots to help keep my blood cell levels high enough for treatment. She truly was my biggest support system and I could not have survived without her.
My parents and sister were extremely supportive and nurturing. I was unmarried at the time, and I depended heavily on my sister to help me through my surgery and subsequent treatments. I call her my “guardian angel” through those very difficult months of recovery and chemotherapy. She was the one who stripped my drains after surgery, nursed me after chemo, shaved my head when my hair started falling out, and administered my shots to help keep my blood cell levels high enough for treatment. She truly was my biggest support system and I could not have survived without her.
What was your treatment like?
I underwent a radical mastectomy of my left breast and removal of necessary lymph nodes. That was followed by 8 rounds of chemotherapy, breast reconstruction and five years of oral Tamoxifen. In late 2010, I chose to have a prophylactic mastectomy on my right breast with immediate breast reconstruction.
I underwent a radical mastectomy of my left breast and removal of necessary lymph nodes. That was followed by 8 rounds of chemotherapy, breast reconstruction and five years of oral Tamoxifen. In late 2010, I chose to have a prophylactic mastectomy on my right breast with immediate breast reconstruction.
Are you in remission?
Yes, I will celebrate 12 years cancer-free on November 14, 2014, the date of my mastectomy. I choose to celebrate this as my “pink anniversary” each year as a reminder of what I survived and in honor of those who have lost their brave battle.
Yes, I will celebrate 12 years cancer-free on November 14, 2014, the date of my mastectomy. I choose to celebrate this as my “pink anniversary” each year as a reminder of what I survived and in honor of those who have lost their brave battle.
What were the hardest days like? And the best days?
I continued to work full time while undergoing chemo and that proved challenging when trying to keep my energy level high and attitude positive. Some days were really difficult to motivate myself to get out of bed, put on a wig and go to work with a smile on my face. Fortunately, I had a wonderful support system at home and work that encouraged me through their love and faith.
I continued to work full time while undergoing chemo and that proved challenging when trying to keep my energy level high and attitude positive. Some days were really difficult to motivate myself to get out of bed, put on a wig and go to work with a smile on my face. Fortunately, I had a wonderful support system at home and work that encouraged me through their love and faith.
What inspired you to fight daily?
I was inspired by my faith that God was in control and had a plan for my life. I knew that what was meant to be would be and that if I survived it would be for a reason. I believe that reason is to serve as an advocate for breast cancer and breast health awareness. Through my work in healthcare marketing or as a volunteer and consultant for the Central Mississippi Steel Magnolias Susan G. Komen Foundation, I have talked to countless women and men about the importance of knowing their risk factors, practicing their monthly SBE’s and scheduling a yearly mammogram. Early detection is a key component to surviving this disease. If I had waited to have my lump checked out by a physician or until 40 to get a mammogram, I would not be alive today. You must be your own health advocate because 1 in 8 women will be affected by breast cancer. If you are at high risk for breast cancer, tell your primary care physician and be aware of changes in your body.
I was inspired by my faith that God was in control and had a plan for my life. I knew that what was meant to be would be and that if I survived it would be for a reason. I believe that reason is to serve as an advocate for breast cancer and breast health awareness. Through my work in healthcare marketing or as a volunteer and consultant for the Central Mississippi Steel Magnolias Susan G. Komen Foundation, I have talked to countless women and men about the importance of knowing their risk factors, practicing their monthly SBE’s and scheduling a yearly mammogram. Early detection is a key component to surviving this disease. If I had waited to have my lump checked out by a physician or until 40 to get a mammogram, I would not be alive today. You must be your own health advocate because 1 in 8 women will be affected by breast cancer. If you are at high risk for breast cancer, tell your primary care physician and be aware of changes in your body.
What is the best thing about living and being treated in Mississippi?
Having wonderfully supportive physicians like Dr. Bill Gibson, Dr. Christina Dial, Dr. Tammy Young and Dr. Stephen Davidson was the best thing about being treated in Jackson. They all took such amazing care of me and treated me as if I were family. I also appreciated that I could receive quality health care in my home state and I didn’t have to travel to another cancer clinic out of state to receive the best care.
Having wonderfully supportive physicians like Dr. Bill Gibson, Dr. Christina Dial, Dr. Tammy Young and Dr. Stephen Davidson was the best thing about being treated in Jackson. They all took such amazing care of me and treated me as if I were family. I also appreciated that I could receive quality health care in my home state and I didn’t have to travel to another cancer clinic out of state to receive the best care.
Do you have any advice for other women facing cancer?
I have shared this poem with many women I know that have been facing a cancer diagnosis. It was given to me by a friend and I find the words very inspiring.
I have shared this poem with many women I know that have been facing a cancer diagnosis. It was given to me by a friend and I find the words very inspiring.
WHAT CANCER CANNOT DO
Cancer is so limited.
It cannot cripple love.
It cannot shatter hope.
It cannot erode faith.
It cannot destroy peace.
It cannot silence courage.
It cannot suppress memories.
It cannot kill friendship.
It cannot conquer the spirit.
It cannot invade the soul.
It cannot steal eternal life.
Cancer is so limited.
It cannot cripple love.
It cannot shatter hope.
It cannot erode faith.
It cannot destroy peace.
It cannot silence courage.
It cannot suppress memories.
It cannot kill friendship.
It cannot conquer the spirit.
It cannot invade the soul.
It cannot steal eternal life.
Anonymous
Post cancer, I have been married to my husband Mack, an engineer, for six years. Believing that we were unable to have children because of my cancer at such a young age, we were elated to find out that I was pregnant just three weeks after our honeymoon! We are the very proud parents of a beautiful 5 year old little girl, Lily Frances, who attends kindergarten at St. Richard Catholic School. I currently own McLaughlin Garner Group, an Advertising/Event Planning/Marketing/PR firm with my business partner, Shannon McLaughlin, and we specialize in creative solutions for small businesses, nonprofit organizations and professional associations.
Post cancer, I have been married to my husband Mack, an engineer, for six years. Believing that we were unable to have children because of my cancer at such a young age, we were elated to find out that I was pregnant just three weeks after our honeymoon! We are the very proud parents of a beautiful 5 year old little girl, Lily Frances, who attends kindergarten at St. Richard Catholic School. I currently own McLaughlin Garner Group, an Advertising/Event Planning/Marketing/PR firm with my business partner, Shannon McLaughlin, and we specialize in creative solutions for small businesses, nonprofit organizations and professional associations.
Heather Moak's Story
Tell me about your diagnosis. How was your cancer detected?
I was diagnosed with breast cancer on October 3, 2013, at the age of 35 - with no family history. Two weeks prior, I awoke one morning and my right arm brushed the side of my chest and I felt an unusual lump. It was tender because I was curious and I kept touching the spot just hoping it would go away, but it didn’t. With a loving push from my husband and friend, I make the call. Still believing it wouldn’t be anything, because in July of 2013 I had my yearly routine test and my OB sent me on my way with a clean bill of health. I wasn’t scheduled for a mammogram until the next year when I turned 36. Well...cancer is fast and sneaky!!
I made the call and they scheduled me to see the nurse practitioner that afternoon. The nurse practitioner also felt the lump so she sent me for a mammogram and ultrasound. I walked over to Woman’s hospital and had my first mammogram. The doctor’s office called me the next day and said the radiologist confirmed the mass and I needed a biopsy by a breast surgeon. What? A breast surgeon. Within a day, I was in the office of Dr. Christina Dial for my biopsy. She was a book of knowledge, but also compassionate. She genuinely cared for me. Right away, she explained my mammography films and what we were looking at. She was confident, 90% sure it was cancer, but she would need to biopsy the lump to know which type of caner. I was informed there are more than 15 different types of breast cancer. Who knew! Two days later she called with my results and was ready to meet with my family so she could provide us with all the information we needed to know about my cancer.
I was diagnosed with breast cancer on October 3, 2013, at the age of 35 - with no family history. Two weeks prior, I awoke one morning and my right arm brushed the side of my chest and I felt an unusual lump. It was tender because I was curious and I kept touching the spot just hoping it would go away, but it didn’t. With a loving push from my husband and friend, I make the call. Still believing it wouldn’t be anything, because in July of 2013 I had my yearly routine test and my OB sent me on my way with a clean bill of health. I wasn’t scheduled for a mammogram until the next year when I turned 36. Well...cancer is fast and sneaky!!
I made the call and they scheduled me to see the nurse practitioner that afternoon. The nurse practitioner also felt the lump so she sent me for a mammogram and ultrasound. I walked over to Woman’s hospital and had my first mammogram. The doctor’s office called me the next day and said the radiologist confirmed the mass and I needed a biopsy by a breast surgeon. What? A breast surgeon. Within a day, I was in the office of Dr. Christina Dial for my biopsy. She was a book of knowledge, but also compassionate. She genuinely cared for me. Right away, she explained my mammography films and what we were looking at. She was confident, 90% sure it was cancer, but she would need to biopsy the lump to know which type of caner. I was informed there are more than 15 different types of breast cancer. Who knew! Two days later she called with my results and was ready to meet with my family so she could provide us with all the information we needed to know about my cancer.
What was your treatment like?
I had a CT, MRI, Bone scan and met with a plastic surgeon. Cancer doesn’t wait on you, you have to take control and move fast! My scans were all clear and my cancer had not metastasized to any other area in my body! Praise Jesus!! I quickly make the decision to have a double mastectomy with reconstruction on October 25, 2013.
After surgery, we learned I had 5 lymph nodes positive so this bumped me to stage 3a cancer, but we also learned I have triple negative breast cancer, like Joan Lunden, the former co-host of Good Morning America. I learned Ninety percent of all breast cancer is estrogen positive. The cancer is fed from estrogen, but that was not the case with mine. Triple negative breast cancer means the growth of cancer is not supported by the hormones estrogen and progesterone and it does not respond to hormone therapy drugs. The cancer I had does respond well to chemotherapy.
I had a CT, MRI, Bone scan and met with a plastic surgeon. Cancer doesn’t wait on you, you have to take control and move fast! My scans were all clear and my cancer had not metastasized to any other area in my body! Praise Jesus!! I quickly make the decision to have a double mastectomy with reconstruction on October 25, 2013.
After surgery, we learned I had 5 lymph nodes positive so this bumped me to stage 3a cancer, but we also learned I have triple negative breast cancer, like Joan Lunden, the former co-host of Good Morning America. I learned Ninety percent of all breast cancer is estrogen positive. The cancer is fed from estrogen, but that was not the case with mine. Triple negative breast cancer means the growth of cancer is not supported by the hormones estrogen and progesterone and it does not respond to hormone therapy drugs. The cancer I had does respond well to chemotherapy.
How did you prepare for chemotherapy?
Before I would see my oncologist to begin my treatment plan, I just rested, healed and prayed a lot. For months, friends delivered meals, sent flowers, mailed encouraging letters, prayed for me, watched my children and cleaned my house. God just provided in every way imaginable! He took a bad disease and made it good. He gave me a peace and a strength that was not possible in my earthly 'take charge, be in control, worrying about everything self!' I had to let go and give it to Him.
Before I would see my oncologist to begin my treatment plan, I just rested, healed and prayed a lot. For months, friends delivered meals, sent flowers, mailed encouraging letters, prayed for me, watched my children and cleaned my house. God just provided in every way imaginable! He took a bad disease and made it good. He gave me a peace and a strength that was not possible in my earthly 'take charge, be in control, worrying about everything self!' I had to let go and give it to Him.
After four weeks of resting and healing, I met with my oncologist to get a plan to be cancer free. The first visit to Jackson Oncology was hard and sad. When I was waiting to see Dr. Young, I was the youngest person in the waiting room. Everybody looked sick and was bald. How could I be sitting in this room waiting on my treatment plan! I just wanted to be home waiting on my youngest son (3) to get up from his nap and my oldest (7) to get off the bus, but I was sitting in an office waiting to find out which chemotherapy drugs I would take. My family was my reason to fight, so I had to quickly snap out of it and focus on getting well. I got my plan that day. I was scheduled to receive a chemo port and then after Thanksgiving, I would begin 8 rounds of chemotherapy with radiation therapy to follow (you have radiation if you have 4 or more lymph nodes positive and I had 5). I started chemotherapy in December of 2013, and my last round was in March of 2014. I started radiation right after chemo in April of 2014, and finished in June of 2014. Radiation was a breeze compared to everything else. Dr. Balfour and his staff at St. Dominic were so personable. They become like family when you see them everyday for 35 days.
Are you in remission?
Since then, I’ve had a PET scan, CT scan, Bone Scan and there is no disease present in my body!! My oncologist will continue with routine testing every 3 and 6 months for five years. I just finished my reconstructive surgery with Dr. Song. I have the best team of doctors. Mississippi doctors genuinely care for their patients and it’s important to feel cared for when going through treatment.
Since then, I’ve had a PET scan, CT scan, Bone Scan and there is no disease present in my body!! My oncologist will continue with routine testing every 3 and 6 months for five years. I just finished my reconstructive surgery with Dr. Song. I have the best team of doctors. Mississippi doctors genuinely care for their patients and it’s important to feel cared for when going through treatment.
What advice do you have for other women facing a similar battle?
For others facing cancer, do not wait to start loving God, loving others and loving life! Every day is a spiritual battle with or without a disease living in your body so put on your spiritual armor and be prepared for whatever life gives you. The enemy tried to tell me, this disease would overcome me and my children would not have a mother, but fear is not from God and Satan will do everything he can to make you fearful of this disease. Your best defense is to pray, pray, and pray some more!!! I would pray many things, but I would always pray, God, your Kingdom come and your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven and in Heaven there is no sickness and no disease so bring it here to me and He did!! I’m a SURVIVOR!!
For others facing cancer, do not wait to start loving God, loving others and loving life! Every day is a spiritual battle with or without a disease living in your body so put on your spiritual armor and be prepared for whatever life gives you. The enemy tried to tell me, this disease would overcome me and my children would not have a mother, but fear is not from God and Satan will do everything he can to make you fearful of this disease. Your best defense is to pray, pray, and pray some more!!! I would pray many things, but I would always pray, God, your Kingdom come and your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven and in Heaven there is no sickness and no disease so bring it here to me and He did!! I’m a SURVIVOR!!
Thank you Emily & Heather for sharing your stories!
{Blog by Mitchell Walters}
{Blog by Mitchell Walters}
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