November Patient Perspective
Ashley Franks Every pain and suffering in this life has a purpose. I truly believe that you can find hope and peace in any situation through not only family and friends, but God. I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer at the age of 32 in December of 2013. My husband Matt and I had only been living in the Atlanta area for less than two years. At the time, we had a son Roman (4yr), a daughter Carmen (2yr), and a son Hudson (7 month). If I hadn’t been nursing Hudson, I probably wouldn’t have noticed the tumor as soon as I did. I was all too familiar with cancer. My mother survived ovarian cancer during my high school years and then I lost my father to prostate cancer in 2003. Little did I know, I too would be diagnosed exactly ten years later. My mammogram didn’t even reveal the tumor, but the MRI reflected a scare that Matt and I would never forget. We were led to believe that the cancer had metastasized to my bones. A moment that I will always remember was when my husband took the call with the results of the bone scan revealing that my bones were in fact clean. Matt’s hair was sticking straight up from his hands running through it. His eyes were so teary eyed, and he was shaking, yelling, “It’s clean! Your bones are clean!” I felt a glimpse of hope from that point on. I went through six rounds of chemotherapy throughout the winter of 2014. I went to every single session with a different close friend. I felt hope through holding their hands while the yucky chemo would drip through my veins. Hope was given through the volunteer nurse praying over me each week and cheering me on when I didn’t feel like fighting anymore. My husband not only took on the role as the main caregiver, but he served as a nurse and single parent many days and nights. I remember lying in bed feeling drugged up, half awake, but hearing the screaming cries from my baby, toddler, and preschooler trying to take their evening baths. I simply couldn’t muster the energy to help at times. Things in the home were so crazy to say the least, but God carried us through slowly day by day. Friends brought us food for nine months straight. They prayed for us, watched our children, and loved on us continuously. Hope came through feeling the amount of love poured out by friends and family. We had never experienced so much love and generosity. Testing revealed that my cancer is in fact genetic. I am BRCA2 positive and now live with the burden that there is a 50% chance each of my children will carry the gene as well. The doctors recommended that I have a double mastectomy and also a prophylactic hysterectomy. After the double mastectomy, I was not able to hold my children or even move my arms above shoulder height. I remembered hearing of TurningPoint from the volunteer nurse at my chemotherapy treatments. Within the first physical therapy session, I was able to lift my arms above my head. One moment I will never forget was when the therapist told me that I could start to slowly hold Hudson. I sat in that office just crying tears of joy. I obviously hurried home and picked him up, spinning him around! Sleep is an important part of our lives. Through good sleep we gain energy and are able to function the next day properly. Unfortunately nowdays people lack sleep due to the fast life cycle. Some cant sleep because of stressful day, the others face some problems and this doesn’t let them sleep and have proper rest. All kind of situations influence on our nerve stamens and bother the sleep sleep regime accordingly. Ambien (Zolpidem) at https://holisticdental.org/ambien-treat-insomnia/ is a good means to have a good sleep and feel no negative effects. In February of 2014, around the halfway point of my chemotherapy treatment, a friend came to me saying that God had spoken to her. He said, “I have removed them. I’m serious. Don’t miss that”. I was astonished, but believed in faith that these words were true. I truly believed that I had been healed. Every single ultrasound and scan from that point on showed no cancer. After my double mastectomy in May of 2014, the pathology report reflected a pure 100% pathological response. They could not find one single cancer cell! Matt and I were absolutely amazed and changed by this miracle. God doesn’t promise to heal us forever on earth, but he does promise eternal healing if we put our faith in him. After experiencing something as terrible and scary as cancer, I try to live life to its fullest and be grateful for every single moment I have with my family. We currently live in Cumming, Georgia where I enjoy exercising, cooking homemade organic cancer fighting meals, interior design, and playing with our three children. I believe my cancer was for a purpose and I focus on being a walking light for God.
Local Salute: TurningPoint in Simply Buckhead Magazine
TurningPoint helps survivors live full lives STORY: Mickey Goodman October 9th, 2014 | Local Salute National Breast Cancer Awareness Month every October is a stark reminder that, after diagnosis and treatment, breast cancer remains a beast that needs taming and nurturing. Since 2003, TurningPoint Breast Cancer Rehabilitation, a nonprofit based in Sandy Springs, has helped more than 2,500 women on the road to normalcy. “What sets us apart is our com- prehensive care along with our individualized programs coordinated by primary care physical therapists. They include physical and massage therapy, nutrition and lymphedema management,” says Karen Burpo, community outreach director. Referrals for the program come from medical professionals at hospitals and fellow patients. “When I was referred to TurningPoint, I realized I had about 1 percent of the knowledge I needed,” said Sandy Springs resident Taurus Dotson, a breast cancer survivor. “They got my lymphedema under control and helped with postural issues, legacies of the mastectomy and reconstruction. “The therapists make you feel comfortable and motivate you,” Dotson says. “No self-pity is allowed. But it’s not just work, work, work. They make it fun.” The evidence-based program, a partner with the American Cancer Society, is the only one of its kind in the Southeast. Many staff members, including the director, Jill Binkley, and Burpo, are breast cancer survivors, making them sensitive to the special needs of patients. “Finances are never a barrier to treatment, and health insurance covers some portions,” Burpo says. For more information, visit www.myturningpoint.org Read the article here
October Patient Perspective
Leah Green I first felt a lump in my left breast in October of 2013 at 41 years old. In February 2014 I was told that I had Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma—the big “C” word no one wants to hear. Nine agonizing weeks after my diagnosis and after forming the best team of doctors for me, I was wheeled into the OR at Northside Hospital for both a bilateral mastectomy and part one of the reconstruction surgery. In May, 2014 my Oncologist explained that an Oncotype DX test came back showing a high probability of the breast cancer returning. I started a 12-week round of chemo on June 5th to take care of any lingering cancer cells. I was told it would take 6-weeks to recover from my surgery with the first 2 weeks being the roughest part. I started physical therapy at TurningPoint Breast Cancer Rehabilitation three weeks post-surgery. Having a full time job, an active family and 9-year old at home, I was very anxious to be able to move my arms and body again. My appointments at TurningPoint are now some of my favorite days of the week. The compassion and total understanding of my circumstance that I receive from my therapists are not only helping me with my pain but also making me a stronger woman. I have been fortunate to meet others going through their own cancer journeys in the waiting room… a sisterhood of strangers I will never forget. Everyone on the staff has welcomed me and remembered my name. I have worked hard at home and recently have been able to participate in a weekly Pilate’s class TurningPoint offers as a complimentary service to its clients. It is hard to believe that it has only been a little over 4 months since my surgery. I cannot thank TurningPoint enough for welcoming me into their family, listening to me when times are tough, and training me to be the strongest I can be today. I still have hurdles to overcome but I have watched what my body can do over this time and know that I will be stronger on the other side of all of this. I am blessed with good friends and family who have rallied around me and I am looking forward to a full recovery. Although I was initially shocked about my diagnosis I know that I will keep my head high and put all my trust in God. I am a true believer that everything happens for a reason and if my journey can help just one person then a pivotal purpose has been served. Winston Churchill said that “Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference”…with that I cheer, look high, and look forward with the most positive attitude which can hopefully be encouragement to others.
