Survivor of the Week

Editor's note: Leading up to the 2008 Pender County Relay for Life event, which will be held at Topsail High School's track on May 2 and 3, Relay for Life presents a series entitled "Survivor of the Week," first-hand survivor stories from brave men and women who have battled cancer. This is the first in a series of four. For more information on the Relay for Life, visit them on-line at www.pendercountyrfl.com.

Survivor story: Jewel Weatherspoon

I am a breast cancer survivor. I always have my yearly check ups, and routine lab tests were done in my doctor's office in December of 2006. On December 20, my doctor asked me when was I getting my next mammogram, and I said the next day. He said he would write an order for them to check my right breast, because during the examination, he had felt a lump. So I was at the radiologist the next day for three hours having mammograms and ultra sounds, and the results were sent back to my doctor. You know it is bad news when the doctor himself calls, and not one of his staff. He suspected breast cancer and made an appointment for me to see a surgeon right away. After the biopsy results, the surgeon called to say it was malignant... breast cancer. That was January 4, 2007.

After that, everything happened so fast, and there were so many decisions to be made in so short a time. On January 11, 2007, we chose to have a double mastectomy because of the risk of having the cancer return to the remaining breast. I began chemotherapy treatments on February 14 (Happy Valentines!). Needless to say, 2007 was a very busy year - going to so many doctors and to the treatment center every week to start with, and later on every three weeks. I had a port put in my arm, which was very painful, but better in the long run because it kept them from having to puncture my vein each treatment time. At one time, I had to go to the hospital and get a blood transfusion because the chemicals I was treated with caused my red blood cells to be depleted and I was suffering from anemia. The white cells were also depleted, but I received an injection (very expensive!) with each treatment, which helped with this problem.

When someone in the family has cancer, each member shares in the suffering and certainly in the fears. Without my husband, and the rest of my family, my many friends and church family and a strong faith in God, I would not have healed as quickly as I did. We were ministered to in so many ways: the food brought in to our home, the many cards, the visits and calls, but mainly the prayers. I think that this entire period of my life, as dreadful as it was, has had a positive side to it, in that not only I, but my husband too, have learned that life is fragile and that we depend entirely on God and his mercy and grace, love and healing, and that each day we are in his hands and totally dependant on Him. We praise Him for all that He has done and continues to do.

There was a long period of time when I wasn't well enough to do anything, and without my caregivers it would have been even longer and harder. My husband always carried me to the oncologist for chemo treatments. I will be finishing my treatments on January 29, but will continue to take medication for five years. I am so thankful that I am feeling well and so much stronger now, and that I am able and have opportunities to go and try to do for others.