I am a wife, mother, retired teacher, friend, and a 16-year cancer survivor. This is my story of how I lived with cancer, survived chemotherapy and radiation, and continue to fight the battle on a daily basis. I write this story as a grateful supporter for Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society.

I was first diagnosed with breast cancer in October of 1989. My initial reaction was shock and despair. I couldn’t believe that this was happening to me. After all, I was only 38 years old and I had three young children to raise. I prayed for strength and guidance, and with the support of my husband, family and friends, I began my journey of survival.

I had a mastectomy in November and a few days later I received news that I had 15 out of 20 lymph nodes positive. That meant a regimen of intense chemotherapy. People I worked with at Bethel School signed up for “chemo parties.” They would take me to Asheville for my treatments on Friday afternoon, stay with me, read to me, talk to me and bring me back home. They were my “angels.”

I continued to teach Kindergarten because I knew that keeping busy with small children would help me focus on others and help me avoid depression. I recovered from chemo and began my life with renewed vigor, determination, and appreciation for life.

I remained cancer-free for 10 years. In June of 1999 during a routine doctor visit, I found that the breast cancer had returned on the scar tissue of the original tumor site. This time I received another round of chemo along with 37 radiation treatments. Advances in research and medicine helped to be more precise with my treatment regimen. I found that medications to relieve the symptoms related to chemotherapy were much improved. Although I still had the nausea, fatigue, and chemical taste in my mouth, the medications available to relieve the symptoms made the regimen much easier to tolerate. I continued my teaching and finished my treatments in April 2000.

I hoped to remain cancer-free for another long period of time. I was grateful to God that I had the opportunity to help others who might experience the same disease.

I also lost my first cousin, Karen Dail, to breast cancer in February of 2002. I, along with millions of other people, experienced the sorrow of losing a loved one to cancer.

In February 2003, I received another cancer diagnosis. Tumor markers which measured the amount of tumor activity in the body helped with an early diagnosis. It is never good news to find that you have cancer, but early detection makes it much easier to treat and greatly improves survival rates. This time it seemed that the cancer had metastasized to my lungs and possibly my liver. I again began a chemotherapy regimen, resumed my “chemo parties” and began the struggle again. I continued to work and retired in June 2003, about the same time my treatments were over.

I was retired for a year. I rehired to teach second grade in August 2004. I retired again in December because my tumor markers were going up again and it was physically difficult to teach.

I have been on an oral chemotherapy drug for a year and I still continue to take it daily. Side effects are not always easy to deal with, but the nausea medication available today helps me dramatically. My oncologist, Dr. Puckett, has kept a close watch on my tumor markers and I go every two months for doctor visits.

Even though I have had physical problems, I have lived a happy, fulfilled life. I am grateful for 16 years of children’s hugs, laughter, family time, sunsets, rainbows and shared experiences with friends.

I am very appreciative of the support that Relay for Life provides to cancer victims, cancer survivors, caregivers and family members. The American Cancer Society provides much-needed information and is an advocate for cancer research. That is why I am a team captain this year. We hope to find a cure for cancer so that millions of people will not have to struggle with this disease in the future! Thank you for all those who are helping this year.