Stay Positive and Carry On: Cheryl's Story
Published Wednesday, October 9, 2024
No one is ever prepared for the phone call – the one from the nurse telling you that they found something abnormal on your scan and they need to see you for more tests. The automatic response is to worry. It could be nothing, or it may change your life. For Cheryl, when she received the phone call after her routine breast screening mammogram, it started a journey. One that she has faced with plenty of courage and positivity.
As part of the Ontario Breast Screening Program, Cheryl went for a routine mammogram in August 2023. Shortly after, she got the call saying that she needed some follow up testing. They had found a lump in her right breast and after a series of other tests; Cheryl was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Treatment for Cheryl meant a combination of surgery and radiation and eventually hormone therapy. She credits her positive experience to her heath care teams at NorWest Community Health Centres and the Cancer Centre at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. They were able to keep her informed and keep the process from diagnosis to treatment moving smoothly.
"Overall, I've had a good experience – my cancer was caught early and I had no side effects from treatment," Cheryl shares. "It was an easy answer when I was asked about participating in a clinical trial. If I'm able to help someone after me, I'll do it."
Based on her type of breast cancer, her oncologist introduced a clinical trial where patients are randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups. Each group receives hormone therapy on a different schedule. Hormone therapy is a common treatment for breast cancers that are hormone-dependent. As part of the clinical trial, Cheryl will be on hormone therapy and followed by the research team for five years. In addition, she will continue to be monitored by her cancer team.
Through her journey, Cheryl has been determined to make the best of her situation. She is no stranger to cancer after losing several family members to the disease and knows that a positive attitude makes all the difference.
"My advice to anyone who has recently been diagnosed would be to carry on with life, do what you love and think positively," Cheryl encourages. "Life throws you curve balls, and you just keep swinging."
Cheryl continues to stay active and do the things she loves like travelling and spending time at KOA Campgrounds. After taking a season off, she is looking forward to going back to playing slow pitch next year.
"The ongoing support I've received from my best friend, family and KOA family during this journey is deeply appreciated," Cheryl concludes.
To learn more about clinical research happening at our hospital talk to your cancer care team or visit https://tbrhsc.net/clinicaltrials.