Survivors 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 second in a series of four. For more information on the Relay for Life, visit them on-line at www.pendercountyrfl.com.

Survivor story: Yvonne Hall

It was December of 2001 and I had just gone for my annual gynecologist appointment. During my breast exam, my doctor, Dr. Robison, asked me if I had been doing my breast checks. I told him that I had and then he asked me if I had noticed the lump in my left breast. I replied that I had not felt the lump; I never did feel it. The lump was pretty deep and my breasts had always been fibrous, so even if I had felt it, I probably wouldn't have thought that it was any different from the other fibrous tissues. Dr. Robison referred me to Dr. Tinsley, Jr. the surgeon, who examined me in December. Dr. Tinsley told me that he felt the lump, too, but he didn't think that it was anything to worry about. He told me to come back in March of 2002 and he would examine me again.  When I returned to Dr. Tinsley, the lump was still there, so at that time he decided to go ahead with a biopsy just to be on the safe side. 

On the morning of May 16, 2002, I reported to the hospital for my ultrasound guided breast biopsy. I was taken to radiology and guided by ultrasound; the radiologist inserted a probe over my breast lump and then I was taken to surgery where the doctor removed the lump. I returned home after the procedure confident that it was going to be benign because the doctor seemed to think everything looked good.

I had a follow up appointment with Dr. Tinsley on May 22. On that morning my husband asked me if I needed him to go with me. I told him, "no" that everything was going to be fine. When Dr. Tinsley entered the examining room, he asked where my husband was and I told him that I had come alone. He then said, "I'm sorry", but I was wrong. Your report came back positive. You have breast cancer.

For several moments, I said nothing. I was stunned. I thought this could not be happening to me. Dr. Tinsley's nurse was in the room with us holding a box of tissues. I should have seen something coming, but I did not.  When the word "cancer" finally hit me, I lost it and was grateful for the nurse and the tissues. I told Dr. Tinsley that I needed to call my husband, so he told me to take all the time I needed. I called Robby and told him that I should have let him come with me after all - that the doctor said that I have breast cancer. I was crying the whole time I was telling him the doctor's report and he said that he would be over as soon as possible (he had been working in Wilmington at the time). After Robby arrived and stayed with me for a while, Dr. Tinsley returned to our room and began telling me what my options were: I could have a lumpectomy and then I would have to have radiation, or I could have a mastectomy and then, depending on any lymph node involvement, I may or may not need chemotherapy. 

As we were leaving, Dr. Tinsley said something to me which has stuck with me ever since. He told me there was a really good book with a lot of answers for me. He said it was the Bible and I replied, "I know." If I had not already liked and respected Dr. Tinsley, that would have done it for me.

Robby drove me home from the doctor's office since I was in no shape to drive. I cried all the way home.  When we were almost home, I told Robby to go by my parents' home, I needed to talk to them. Of course, as soon as I walked in they could tell something was wrong. I told them what the doctor had said, but also that he had assured me that this was not going to get me - something else years from now would. But at that time the word cancer was still ringing in my head and of course that word is a death sentence to someone who has just been told they have it.

The next hardest thing I had to do was tell my two children. I have a daughter and a son; they were both married. My daughter has a stepdaughter and my son has a daughter who was born in August of 2001. This little girl I dearly love, she was named after me. And all I could think about was that I might not get the chance to see her grow up. This was a devastating thought to me. She is now six-years-old and has a little brother who will be four in May of 2008. My daughter has since had a daughter who will be in five in October of 2008; a son who will be three in June of 2008 and her stepdaughter will be 14 in June. These five grandchildren are very precious to me and I hope God allows me to see all of them grow up.

When we left Dr. Tinsley's office after learning of the cancer, we left with an armload of pamphlets and I was determined to learn as much as I could about breast cancer; so after crying the first evening and night, I started reading them. At the time of my diagnosis, I worked and still work as an Administrative Assistant at a seasonal yacht club, where March through October is our busy months. So this was a really bad time for me to be out of work. It was and still is a three-person office and I dreaded telling my General Manger and Office Manager about my diagnosis. Not only did I regret having to be out of work during our busy season, but also I was afraid that I might lose my job, which I really needed. But both of my co-workers were very understanding and supportive - they were not only co-workers but very good friends. Since then, the General Manager has taken another job but I am grateful for all that she did for me during that time. My Office Manager is still there and we have remained true friends and continue to support each other.

Two days after my diagnosis, I had an appointment with Dr. Tinsley to let him know what I had decided to do.  He dropped another bombshell on me - the kind of breast cancer I had had a higher chance of returning in the other breast. So I asked him about having both breasts removed. He said that the plastic surgeon would probably do a better job with reconstructing both breasts rather than trying to match the implant to the other breast. So I decided that that was what I wanted to do and Dr. Tinsley told me he thought that was the best decision. His nurse then set up an appointment with Dr. Church, the plastic surgeon, whom I liked right away. After discussing my decision with Dr. Church, his nurse and Dr. Tinsley's nurse coordinated the surgery date, which was scheduled for June 24, 2002.

Dr. Tinsley referred me to an oncologist, Dr. Anagnost, who I saw before my surgery and he confirmed what Dr. Tinsley had said: That if I had a lumpectomy I would need radiation and with the mastectomy, if I had positive lymph nodes then I would need chemotherapy and possibly radiation, too.

I had several friends who knew someone with breast cancer and these friends put me in touch with their friends who each told me their stories and helped me get through the month before my surgery with lots of encouragement and prayers. I will forever be grateful for each and every one of these special people. I also have a church family who were praying for me and helping me during this difficult time.

On the morning of my surgery, I arrived at the hospital with my husband. My children, my parents and other family members and friends were also there to support me. I was told later that I had a waiting room full of well-wishers. Dr. Tinsley began my surgery by removing all of my breast tissue and then Dr. Church took over and inserted the breast expanders into my chest and completed the surgery.  I don't remember too much of that first day. I stayed in the hospital three to four days. I recovered at home two weeks and on the third week I went back to work - I knew how busy it was during the summer. I probably should not have gone back quite so soon but I felt guilty for being out at such a bad time. My co-worker friends looked after me though and made sure that I didn't overdo.

When I returned to Dr. Tinsley's for my follow up and to hear the pathology report, I learned that all my lymph nodes were negative for cancer, for which I thanked God. I wouldn't need to have chemo.  I then had a follow up with my oncologist who confirmed that he thought that the chemo would cause more harm than good.  He put me on Tamoxifen for five years and said that he would evaluate me after that time and we would see what might be available for breast cancer prevention then. I did take the Tamoxifen for four years and am now on Aromasin. My cancer was estrogen fed so there is a need for me to be on some type of medication to block estrogen.

Over the summer, after my mastectomies and into the fall, I would report to Dr. Church's where he would insert a solution of saline into the expanders which would help expand my chest so that he could eventually replace them with implants. Each time I went, it would become more and more uncomfortable (it felt like someone was sitting on my chest). At one point, I told my mother that maybe I shouldn't have gone through with the reconstruction part, but she encouraged me to continue on.

November 7, 2002 I had outpatient surgery and I received my permanent implants. 

I had truly wonderful, caring doctors and nurses throughout the entire process, from the time of diagnosis up until now and I thank God for each and every one of them. They each one helped me through my journey in their own individual way. 

Five and a half years later, I am still under my oncologist's care and will be for several years to come. At this time and by the grace of God, I am cancer free.

I thank God for and would like to thank each one of my encouragers - my very loving and very loved family - my wonderful, caring friends - my loving church family.

In February of 2003, my loving father was diagnosed with Melanoma and we lost him to this terrible disease in June of the same year. I miss him dearly and I am thankful that I had him to support me through my cancer. I love you, Daddy.

In 2005, my younger brother by three years was diagnosed with renal cancer; he had a kidney removed. The cancer was contained in the kidney and he, too, did not have to have chemo, thank God. He is doing well, today and I am thankful that he is still with us.

Just two months ago, my mother had a Melanoma diagnosis. She had a lump removed from the side of her face.  Her lymph nodes were scanned and are clear so we thank God that hers was found before it could spread. 

I don't know what God has in store for me (as I'm sure no one does) but I am grateful for all that He has given me and I try not to take anything or anyone for granted. I thank Him for each day that He gives me. I hope to not only see my grandchildren grow up but to see great grandchildren one day, before He takes me Home.

Once again, I would like to thank everyone who helped me through my fight with breast cancer: 

My husband, Robby, who has been there for me through thick and thin and took such loving care of me, I love you dearly! My children Robin and her husband Chris, and Bryan and his wife Tina who all supported me with love. My grandchildren, Ryan, Yvonne (Eve), Eden, Joseph and Garrett who are all the lights of my life! My parents, Clifton and Hilda Edens - such loving parents - I miss you Daddy and I love you Mama!

My siblings Steve, Cheryl and Darryl and their families, I could not ask for any more loving family. I thank my friends who have been through cancer and related their stories for encouragement and support. Friends Gilda and Dawn who took up my slack at work and kept me going each day. I miss you, Dawn. Gilda, I am so very thankful that I still have you in my life. My prayerful and loving Church family, thank you all!

Dr. Robison, I especially thank you because if you had not originally found my lump I may not be here today.

Dr. Tinsley, Dr. Church, Dr. Anagnost and all of your caring, giving nurses, thank you all so very much.

— Yvonne Hall, breast cancer survivor

My name is Darryl Edens. I am a kidney cancer survivor. I had been hurting in my back for several months, especially after eating a large meal. Also, I would feel discomfort when my wife would lay her arm on my abdomen. My wife thought is may be my gall bladder. This was in 2005.

I had also had a heart attack, so I had regularly been going to my cardiologist as well as a gastroenterologist for Chrohn's Disease. I did not have a primary care doctor so both of these doctors had been telling me that I needed to start seeing one.

My wife insisted on me finding the right doctor and she set up an appointment with Dr. Alatar for an ultrasound of my gall bladder. While having that done, they did find that I had a gallstone but it was small. They did not think that it would be causing any pain. But they noticed something on my kidney. The young lady who administered the test asked me if I had had it checked and I told her "no," that I was "unaware of it."

I was then sent for a CT scan. The tests showed I had a tumor. I then had to go to an Urologist. My doctor was Dr. Ed Whitesides, who I would highly recommend. He told me it was probably cancer and that my right kidney would have to be removed. This was about a week before Christmas. My wife was anxious for me to have the surgery as she had lost her first husband and her mom to cancer.  I had also lost my Dad, Clifton Edens, to cancer in 2003. Also, my sister, Yvonne, is a breast cancer survivor.

The soonest they could schedule surgery was January 4, 2006. They removed my kidney as well as my gall bladder. The tumor was malignant and about the size of a baseball. That explained the pain I was experiencing.

I was blessed that the cancer was all contained within the kidney. Therefore, I did not have to undergo any treatment. I would just have to have a CT scan and X-ray every six months for a few years. I was told I would be in the hospital about five or six days, but I had some complications with my digestive system "going back to work" after being put to sleep and I ended up staying in the hospital for 11 days. My incision also got infected and they had to open part of the incision and let it heal from the inside. I was out of work about two months.

I know during this time, I had many friends and family members praying for me. I am thankful for them all. I am also especially thankful for my wife (caregiver) Teresa who stayed with me the whole time I was in the hospital and most of the time I was recuperating at home. I am now cancer free. To God be the Glory!

- Darryl Edens, cancer survivor