Shelby's Group

A Breast Cancer Survivor Gives Special Thanks During the Holiday Season November 25, 2009

Debbie Quick, Registered Nurse in the McLeod Radiology Department

We all start planning for our Thanksgiving meal before that day arrives; much preparation with cleaning and cooking. One Thanksgiving I will always remember is the year I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was a 36 year old mother of a four and a half year old little girl. This was the day before Thanksgiving. Talk about change of plans for the upcoming Christmas.

My mastectomy was on December 4 and my chemotherapy began two weeks before Christmas. Can you imagine all of the excitement of hanging decorations, shopping for our daughter, cooking and all of those activities that go along with the celebration of Jesus’ birth?  While the whole time my mind was on survival. After all, I was told that even with treatment my life span would probably only be 5 years or less.

As for starting the New Year, well, my hair fell out on New Year’s Eve. What a way to start off a new year. A year that included 37 radiation treatments that followed the 6 months of chemotherapy I had just completed. There were also multiple reconstructive surgeries.

All of this was a true “bend in the road” for me. However, it was one that would impact my family and me for years to come. We all cherish this Thanksgiving season and truly “give thanks with a grateful heart.”

This experience in my life has given me a greater level of compassion for my patients.  I know firsthand the various emotions and physical changes our patients and families have to work through.  I believe that I was allowed to be diagnosed with breast cancer so that in the years to come I could encourage and lift others up in their struggles and offer them HOPE.

I have been actively involved in Relay for Life for many years. I have been a spokesperson for McLeod in the past. I also served as co-chair for the 2009 Relay for Life event and am presently serving in that same position for 2010.

Please know that you can only take one day at a time during this process. My life verse has been Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year as this is my 18th anniversary as a cancer survivor!

Clinical Psychologist Dr. Carol Adams’ Inspiring Cancer Survivor Story November 16, 2009

Dr. Carol Adams Clinical Psychologist

Cancer was never one of those diseases I really dreaded…after all, there was absolutely no history of cancer in my family. I’m pretty Type A, so my fear was that I’d have some sort of heart event — even though heart attacks don’t really “run” in my family either. But when you get that phone call to come to the doctor’s office for your test results and bring someone with you, well, you know it’s not going to be good!

Once the shock began to wear off, I started circling the wagons, making plans, and feeling more in control again. After a barrage of doctors’ appointments over the next couple of weeks, I found myself in the hospital having a mastectomy to remove a large tumor from smack in the middle of my breast…no saving that one!  I remember a couple of specifics from that hospitalization. First, my surgeon, the wonderful Dr. Ed McGee who has now retired, made me look at my chest the day after surgery. I said I wasn’t ready but he said I was. I was afraid of what I’d see –something weird and raw hamburger looking, I think. (I’m a psychologist, not a physician!)  But it wasn’t like that at all. Just my skin kinda’ flat looking where it had once had a hump. Much less scary after I looked!

The other thing I remember was Martha Garrison, who, at that time was the Reach to Recovery person with the American Cancer Society. She brought me a bag of “supplies” compliments of ACS. When Martha introduced herself, the first thing she said was that she was a 30-year breast cancer survivor. That was the most encouraging thing I had ever heard! Right away, I started thinking, gee, I might actually live another 30 years!

Now, I try to give back. I’ve been involved in the Relay for Life since my own cancer diagnosis and served as co-chair for several years. It also lets me know that I’m actively doing something to help eliminate this disease, so it’s very empowering. I also talk with other newly diagnosed breast cancer patients, supporting them to actively participate in their treatment. Others did it for me and it helped immeasurably.

Cancer is a disease that you can survive. I have been wrapped in love and support since the beginning — my husband, my daughter, my sister, my unbelievable friends and of course a tremendous group of health care professionals as well as a cutting-edge hospital. To paraphrase the old African proverb:  It takes a village to support a patient through breast cancer.

McLeod Breast Health Specialist, Maureen Byrd, Explains the Best Chance Network November 2, 2009

Maureen Byrd, RN, Breast Health Specialist

Early detection is key. Women should have an annual mammogram starting at age 40 unless they have a problem or have a family history of breast cancer.  (Those women may need to start earlier.) Most insurance plans cover annual mammograms so women can get mammograms every year. However, many women are without health insurance or who have hospitalization-only insurance.

Okay, stop!

I want everyone to make me a promise. I want everyone to tell 10 women about the Best Chance Network. The Best Chance Network is a program funded by DHEC and the American Cancer Society that allows women who qualify to receive FREE SCREENING. It provides a clinical breast exam, pelvic exam, pap smear (if needed) and a mammogram. These are free. Did I mention that?

Best Chance is for women who meet the following qualifications:
40 to 64 years of age
No health insurance or hospitalization-only coverage
Meet the annual income guidelines:
(Based on the total # of people in the household)
1 person – $21, 660 or less         4 people – $44,100 or less
2 people – $29,140 or less          5 people – $51,580 or less
3 people – $ 36,620 or less         6 people – $59,060 or less
Add $7,480 for each additional household member

**If a woman meets all 3 guidelines above, they can call to schedule a Best Chance Network exam. McLeod offers Best Chance exams at the following practices:
– McLeod Family Medicine Darlington: 843-398-8500
– McLeod Family Medicine Center in Florence: 843-777-2826
– McLeod Family Practice Timmonsville: 843-346-3900
– McLeod OB/GYN Dillon: 843-841-33825

**Once a woman receives the order for a Best Chance Mammogram, she can call 843-777-2095 to schedule a mammogram at McLeod Medical Center Darlington, McLeod Regional Medical Center, McLeod Medical Center Dillon or on our mobile mammography unit that travels to different areas of the region.

**If a woman needs further care after her Best Chance exam or mammogram,
she can call these McLeod medical practices for treatment:
– Pee Dee Surgical Group
Florence: 843-679-7941
Darlington: 843-413-2017
– McLeod General Surgery Dillon: 843-841-3846