Tag: Breast Cancer

Be Watchful and Informed about Cancer

By Don Eisenberg

My wife of 30 years had always been pretty healthy. She didn’t engage in risky behavior, except to marry me, her brothers used to joke.

Jan was 50 when she felt a lump on her chest and went for her first mammogram. Later testing and biopsy confirmed that it was breast cancer, stage III, including some lymph nodes. Treatment would involve 56 days of radiation, followed by surgery and chemotherapy.

This diagnosis seemed very surreal to both of us. We had faced many challenges during our three decades of marriage, and, with the Lord’s help, we committed to fight this new enemy together, too. Being people of faith, we prayed and engaged our church, family and friends to join us.

The doctors recommended a mastectomy. After considering the known facts at that time, Jan opted for a lumpectomy. She had weekly chemo treatments involving seven different drugs in different doses and combinations, and we reorganized our lives to adjust to the many side effects of treatment. Later, when she needed transfusions of red blood cells and platelets, we set up a system of donors to assure that she would have more than she needed at all times.

About 18 months into treatment, we discovered her cancer had metastasized to her lung lining and bones. Chemo continued, but we lost her in 2007.

The impact of her loss to me, our kids and other family members and friends was incredible. Thankfully, we had amazing support from our church and family, co-workers and friends, plus a loving God—though we didn’t understand the outcome.

I’m sharing her story in honor of National Cancer Survivors Day, and in hopes of encouraging you to be vigilant with your own health. More and more people are surviving cancer. The better informed you are, the more likely you are to be able to avoid it or beat it.

Earlier detection and an awareness of family history might well have changed our outcome. Following my wife’s diagnosis, it turned out that both her mother and grandmother had had brushes with cancer.

All along the way, we tried to learn as much as we could about her disease and treatment options. My advice to anyone facing a similar diagnosis is to keep digging. Insist on information and options, second opinions and treatment facility alternatives.

Congratulations to the survivors and their families! Rejoice in every day you are given. For others, be watchful, be informed, be proactive—see your doctor regularly and never delay annual screenings.

Life is precious. Protect it and cherish each moment and each person.

Don Eisenberg HeadshotDon Eisenberg  Contact
UT Foundation, Inc.

Don is director of development for the UT Knoxville College of Arts and Sciences. He enjoys helping UT alumni and friends find their passion to support at UT, whether that be students, faculty or other opportunities. Born in Nashville, and having lived in England, Africa and several states, he is delighted to finally live on the “peaceful side of the Smokies” in Townsend, Tennessee, with his cat, Lucy, and to share the grandeur of God’s creation with visiting family and friends.

Disclaimer
Posts represent the views, expertise and recommendations of their authors and do not necessarily reflect an endorsement by the University of Tennessee. Furthermore, the content of the blog is for informational purposes only. The content of the blog is not, and is not intended to be used as, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

What I Learned from My Grandmother’s Battle with Cancer

By Renata Gillispie

Cancer. When I heard the word a few years ago and when I hear it now, it makes me uneasy.

I used to equate cancer with immediate death, but I now know that having cancer doesn’t always mean you will die or will die quickly.

My grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer in November 2009. We were devastated when we received the news. The cancer had metastasized to other parts of her body, and her doctors believed she had only months to live. They were ready to give up on her.

Evelyn V. Matthews
My grandmother, Evelyn V. Matthews

There were experimental treatments and drugs to try, but her prognosis wasn’t good.

We opted to try whatever treatments the doctors could do to prolong her life, and my grandmother agreed. She wanted to live.

As my family came to grips with this new reality, my grandmother remained calm.

It was difficult for us to see the drastic physical change in her and watch her lose her ability to do many things for herself. But she always had a smile for everybody. She was always concerned about her family and didn’t want us to worry.

I learned a great deal from my grandmother over the years, but I think I learned the most as she went through her battle with cancer.

We lost her in June 2015, but the amount of time that she lived after her diagnosis was a miracle.

Even throughout her treatments, the doctors were surprised at how quickly she would bounce back each time. She fought through the ups and downs of cancer for almost six years. She was the strongest and most resilient woman I’ve known. She made a huge impact on my life and the lives of many others in her 81 years.

Some of the very important life lessons I learned from my grandmother include:

  1. Always maintain a positive attitude. I don’t think my grandmother would have survived as long as she did after her diagnosis if she had not had the correct mindset. Starting the day off with positive thinking sets the tone for the whole day.
  1. Surround yourself with the things and people you love. My grandmother wanted to be around her family as much as she could, and she enjoyed our company greatly. She hated to see us go. She didn’t like to say goodbye—she preferred to say, “See you later.” She also enjoyed watching soap operas, movies on Lifetime TV, praying and reading her Bible. These were just a few of her favorite things.
  1. Live life to the fullest every single day. Enjoy the simple things, such as nature. When you’re healthy and busy, you don’t take time to stop and smell the roses. When faced with a major health issue, you will see life from a different perspective. Things that used to matter will no longer be a priority. My grandmother enjoyed sitting on her front porch in the early mornings and attending church when she was able.
  1. Help others in the areas where you need help. For example, my grandmother reached out to others who were ill or who just needed some encouragement. She would make a phone call or send food. Not only was she helping others, but she was also helping herself. The reward and satisfaction you get from helping others in need makes you forget about your own struggles.

Renata Gillispie Renata Gillispie Contact
UT Health Science Center

Renata is a coordinator in the College of Graduate Health Sciences at the UT Health Science Center. She enjoys attending church, family, traveling, reading and writing. She earned both her bachelor’s degree in English and creative writing and her master’s degree in leadership from the University of Memphis.

Disclaimer
Posts represent the views, expertise and recommendations of their authors and do not necessarily reflect an endorsement by the University of Tennessee. Furthermore, the content of the blog is for informational purposes only. The content of the blog is not, and is not intended to be used as, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.