Survivor Spotlight: JOANNE D'ALTON : Breast Cancer Survivor
Summer, 2007

Survivor Spotlight: FRANK YINKO : Colon Cancer Survivor
April, 2007

Survivor Spotlight: NANCY LAARMAN : Ovarian Cancer Survivor
January, 2007

Survivor Spotlight on MIKE LEMAHIEU : Colon Cancer Survivor (with liver metastisis)
December, 2006

Survivor Spotlight on MARY LICHTERMAN : Breast Cancer Survivor
September, 2006

Survivor Spotlight: JIM HAMMERLING : Multiple Myeloma Survivor
July, 2006

Survivor Spotlight: LORI SCHULTZ : Breast Cancer Survivor
May, 2006

Survivor Spotlight Update: BOB SHAROT : Head & Neck Cancer Survivor
May, 2006

Survivor Spotlight on MATT RILEY : Medullablastoma Cancer Survivor
December, 2005

Survivor Spotlight on MARTY TEN PAS : Breast Cancer Survivor
September, 2005
Note from Tim: Each and every cancer survivor has a unique story to tell. In Marty’s case, however, others including her mother, two sisters, a cousin, an aunt and great aunts share her story. All diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Marty was an Honorary Co-Chair (along with Bob Sharot – See January, 2005 Survivor Spotlight) for the 2005 American Cancer Society Relay For Life in Sheboygan County. “I am one of four members of my immediate family to have been diagnosed with cancer.” Marty told those at this year’s Relay. “I am the only survivor.” Marty’s sister Amy, who was the Honorary Chair for the 2004 Waunakee Relay For Life, died from the disease in March of this year. In her memory, Marty shared Amy’s speech at this year’s Relay and closed by affirming, “As I stand here tonight I echo Amy’s words. When I think about why I relay… I relay in memory, I relay in Honor and I relay in Support!”

Not Knowing If It’s “Cancer”

On October 11, 2001 I had my yearly mammogram with Dr. Marsho and he noticed I had a lump in my breast that he thought was just a cyst. But because of my family history he sent me for an ultrasound-aided aspiration that came back negative. I wasn’t comfortable knowing I had a lump in my breast so we did a needle biopsy that also came back negative. I still wasn’t comfortable so he sent me to Dr. Matthews for a consultation. I had already decided that I wanted the lump removed one way or another because of the family history. Then they found a lump under my arm. So it pays to follow your instincts!

I went in to have the lump removed not knowing if I had cancer. I told the surgeon to go ahead and remove both breasts if the lump was cancerous because I understood, with my family history, the chances of recurrent disease in the other breast was high. I woke up after my bilateral mastectomy and realized it was cancer! Up until this point I hadn’t told anybody except my husband about the lump. My father had already lost a wife and a daughter to this disease and I didn’t want to have to put him or anyone else through this.

No one knows why the previous biopsies came back negative!

Living With A “Family History”

I have a long family history of breast cancer. In the mid-60s my mother’s sister was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 40 and she died two years later. They didn’t even have chemotherapy back then. I was about ten years old at the time but I still remember what she went through. Then in 1979 my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 44. About a year and a half later the disease spread to her lungs. She died in 1983. A year later my oldest sister was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 27. This was when they first started performing lumpectomies so she had surgery followed by chemo and radiation. She got pregnant six months after treatment but during her seventh month of pregnancy they found another lump that turned out to be cancer. She had more treatment after she gave birth and had about eight years of remission. She died in 1996. I also had a cousin who was diagnosed in 2000. I was diagnosed in 2002. And my sister Amy was diagnosed in 2002, five months after me. All of us with breast cancer!

Despite all of the cancer in my family, I never really thought it would happen to me. My mom died and I healed. My sister died and I healed. In a strange way, though, I was keeping score. I remember passing the age when my sister was diagnosed. I remember passing the age that my cousin was diagnosed. I remember passing the age that my aunt had cancer and died. And I was getting close to the age that my mom was diagnosed with cancer. So, when I was diagnosed it was quite a surprise and it caught my attention.

Going Through “Chemotherapy”

After I recovered from surgery, I went through eight cycles of chemotherapy followed by 33 sessions of radiation and herceptin for a year. When my mother was going through this they didn’t have the anti-nausea drugs. And I remember how sick my sister got. At one point my sister said to me, “I would rather die than to go through chemotherapy again!” So I wasn’t expecting it to be pleasant. But, to be honest, treatment wasn’t that bad. I had a little bit of nausea after the first treatment but it was quite tolerable.

The most difficult part for me was afterwards, when I couldn’t get my energy level back up there. That was tough!

I knew that I would get the best results if I could stay on the prescribed schedule, but that’s hard and not always possible to do. Thankfully, they have drugs that boost blood counts so cancer patients not only feel better but also are able to stay on schedule. Both Amy and I were very vigilant in listening to what the doctors and clinic nurses had to say. We did what they told us to do with regards to pre-meds, post-meds, diet, and hydration. It was a priority to us. We didn’t say, “Can we reschedule because I want to do this today!” I think we all know that the closer you can follow your prescribed protocol, the better the chances that it will be effective.

Accepting The “Losses”

When I went in for surgery Dr. Matthews, Dr. Werner, and Dr. Marsho all were concerned about how I would handle a mastectomy and the loss of my breasts. But for me, that was never really an issue. I simply knew that if I didn’t do everything I could… I would die. So the surgery, the scars, the hair loss, the fatigue wasn’t that big of a deal. I am someone who has experienced the dark side of cancer in the loss of my mother and two sisters. So if this is what I have to do to insure that I will survive that is what I am willing to do. I know I’m not out of the woods yet. I know the cancer could come back and that would mean big trouble. But I will do everything I can do to prevent that. Whatever I might have lost along the way… it’s really not an issue… because I’m still here.

Maintaining “Normalcy” and “Routine”

When I was going through treatment I didn’t go back to work right away. I kept on thinking about what my sister said, “I would rather die before I have chemo again.” So I wanted to find out how my chemo was going to go before I went back to work. But after my second chemo I went back to work. A big part of that was putting normalcy and routine back into my life. My father-in-law was driving to my house to pick up the mail from the end of the driveway and bringing it into the house so I didn’t have to leave the house! Sure, that might be nice… but it sure isn’t “normal.” I needed something to do. I have never been a person to sit still. But it was tough to stay motivated when I was going through treatment. There were times that my husband would come home after work and I would realize that I didn’t do anything! That wasn’t like me.

But I raise dogs and I knew these dogs were dependent on me. They needed me to let them out, feed them, and clean up after them. So no matter how bad I was feeling, at least I had these few normal things that I had to do to keep me going. When my sister Amy was diagnosed, I suggested that she keep her job through this if she could because it might help her maintain a routine. If you don’t have anything you want to accomplish you’re going to accomplish nothing. At least write a list of things to do. It doesn’t have to be anything really big. Just do at least one thing a day. Maybe today you will go to the grocery store, or do the laundry.

Choosing to “Let it go!”

On the one hand I don’t think cancer ever totally leaves my mind, but on the other hand I really don’t worry about whether it will come back or not. That is not in my hands and I have let that part go. The only thing I can do is control my treatment, find a way to handle things, and then do the best that I can for the future! But if it comes back, or when it comes back, doesn’t really scare me anymore.

After I shared Amy’s story at this year’s Relay For Life, I got several phone calls from folks asking me, “How do you continue?” I tried to tell them that I have just let that part go. When they ask, “How can you do that?” I just tell them, “If I didn’t let it go… or give it up to a higher power… I wouldn’t be able to continue.” At one point I realized that if I didn’t let it go I would never be able to live the life that I want to live. I’m not one that goes around preaching religion but I fully believe in God! And I leave these things up to God!

Remembering a “Nice Mom!”

I didn’t get angry when my mom died. I figured she was at peace and what happened to her happened for a reason. But as I grew older there were days I wished my mom was there for me to talk to. That’s what I really missed and what really affected me. My mother was a wonderful woman… a truly “nice” person! If someone needed something and she could provide it for them, she would. She always found the silver lining in every situation. She always treated everyone fairly. Among the many things I learned from her, she taught me that if something needs to be done to just go out and do it. That is why I do what I do for the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life and as a Reach for Recovery volunteer as well as the Susan G. Komen Foundation and The Sheboygan County Cancer Care Fund. These are all good organizations that have things that need to be done so I will do what I can to help.

Moving On With “Changes”

I have changed. I don’t want to wait for things until I retire… I don’t know if I’m going to be here. I may be on borrowed time… I hope not… but I might! So that’s probably been the biggest change. I don’t think it has been a bad change and I don’t think I have gone overboard… but it is a change from the way we used to live our lives. My values and priorities have changed as well. Family and friends are much more important to me now… and being there for others. I don’t want to miss events that my nieces and nephews participate in and I want to be more of a part of their lives. And I want a life where there is enough time for my husband and I to do things.

Considering “Genetic Testing”

I think genetic testing was the right thing for us. Thankfully, not everyone has the same family history as I do, so everyone has to make that decision on his or her own. But I think it can give you the opportunity to consider options that might very well save your life. It is important to meet with a genetic counselor first to assess the risk based on family history before following through with the testing. Had genetic testing been available when I was younger and had I been tested and told of my high risks of getting this specific type of breast cancer, I don’t think I would have had any problem choosing a total mastectomy. Remember… we have no success stories in my family. I have lost my mom and my two sisters to this disease.

Feeling “Comfortable”

There are a lot of people who think they need to learn everything they can about the disease and it’s treatment. When I was first diagnosed it was more important to Paul and I that I find someone to treat me that I felt comfortable with. I wanted someone with the education and experience in oncology because I was never going to fully understand it all and I needed to put my trust in that person. Then I could focus my energy on getting through the treatment.

Offering “Advice”

Look at today! That’s it! Don’t look past now and don’t try to look to the future. If today is a good day when you get up than today is a good day. If it’s a bad day, just do what you need to do to get through it and hope that tomorrow is better!

Survivor Spotlight Update on RALPH LEMP : Prostate Cancer Survivor
September, 2005

Survivor Spotlight Update on SANDY AMWEG : Breast Cancer Survivor
June, 2005

Survivor Spotlight on STEVE PHILIPPS : Prostate Cancer Survivor
June, 2005

Survivor Spotlight on IONE HEINEN : Breast Cancer & Colo-Rectal Cancer Survivor
April, 2005

Survivor Spotlight Update: DON FICKETT : As Told By Caregiving Champion: LINDA FICKETT
March, 2005

Survivor Spotlight Update on AUDREY SWITA : Breast Cancer Survivor
January, 2005

Survivor Spotlight on BOB SHAROT : Head & Neck Cancer Survivor
January, 2005

Survivor Spotlights on DIANA BRAY & MARY SCHMEISER : Diana - Lung Cancer, Mary - Breast Cancer
October, 2004

Survivor Spotlight Update on GENE TE WINKLE : Melanoma Survivor
October, 2004

Survivor Spotlight Update on MARY ANN HAMMES : Breast Cancer Survivor
August, 2004

Survivor Spotlight on ART WESENER (Colon Cancer) : with Caregiving Champion JOANNE WESENER
August, 2004

Survivor Spotlight on JUDY FRIEDERICHS : Breast Cancer Survivor
June, 2004

Survivor Spotlight Update on PAT JENKINS : Breast Cancer & Hodgkin's Disease Survivor
June, 2004

Survivor Spotlight on: DR. PHIL WALKER : Prostate Cancer Survivor
March, 2004

Survivor Spotlight Update on: Rollie Huibregtse : Leukemia Survivor
March, 2004

Survivor Spotlight on: PEGGY KERR : Colon Cancer Survivor
January, 2004

Survivor Spotlight on EUGENE TEWINKLE : Melonoma Survivor
November, 2003

Survivor Spotlight Update on LINDA BURKART : Thymoma Cancer Survivor
November, 2003