Kelsey Kyer
Colfax Woman Raises Breast Cancer Awareness
Kelsey Kyer of Colfax is sending an important message to raise awareness about breast cancer. “If you notice anything suspicious, go to your doctor,” she said.
Kyer’s advice packs a powerful punch. In January 2003 she discovered a big lump in her breast and had it removed. A biopsy revealed that she had cancer. She had a second surgery to remove more tissue and a couple lymph nodes. Following another biopsy, she had to have the whole breast removed.
“Nobody in my family had had any type of cancer,” she said. “And, out of the various risk factors associated with the disease, I only had one of them.”
Kyer told her doctor that she wanted to receive her chemotherapy treatments at West Virginia University’s Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center. “I knew that they have a reputation throughout West Virginia for having an excellent breast cancer program,” she said. A friend who works there recommended that she consult Doctor Jame Abraham, head of the facility’s Comprehensive Breast Cancer Program.
“Dr. Abraham called me and set up an appointment right away,” said Kyer. “I knew from the moment I met him that he was a great ole fellow.”
“I received excellent care. I know the staff there so well. Angie, my nurse, is the sweetest thing. She would have talked to me anytime of the day about my concerns. They treat you like you are the only person they’re talking to that day.”
Kyer finished her chemotherapy and is okay. Kyer sees Dr. Abraham every three months now and is faithful to schedule a mammogram every year. “I am not a pushy person, buy anytime I hear someone say that they found a lump in their breast, I tell them to go get it checked right away.”
“People will say, oh what a terrible thing to happen to you,” said Kyer. “But, I would’nt change it if I could because breast cancer gave me a chance to learn something about myself. I learned what’s important, my family and my faith in God.”
“I think it was harder on the people who love me than it was on me. My son, Levi, was one of my biggest helpers. All of my family helped me and they deserve praise too.”
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| Kelsey Kyer and son, Levi |
Kristin Mascioli
Martinsburg Woman Finds Hope in Cancer Support Group
For 51-year old Kristin Waldo Mascioli of Martinsburg, the new cancer support group H.O.P.E. (Hands of Praise Everywhere) has really lived up to its name. “It was a club I never wanted to join, but it has taught me how to live my life.”
When Mascioli was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003, her first thought was, “I’m going to die.” As a single mom she worried that she would not get to raise all three of her boys.
During her treatment, Mascioli lost her hair and the chemo caused her to experience short-term memory loss. “I thought I was losing my mind,” she said. “These are the kind of stories we share in our support group. It’s a great sharing experience.”
Through H.O.P.E., Mascioli gained new friends who became family, with an added bonus. They understood what she was going through. “We give each other courage and we learn that things do get better.”
Mascioli became a real trooper during her battle to become a cancer survivor. She had fun being bald. She had her head tattooed and let her students at West Preston Middle School in Preston County sign it. She also donned a pair of heavy-duty Harley biker boots, which she continues to proudly sport, calling them her “cancer-kicking boots.”
With the disease under foot now, Mascioli says she is “healthy, happy and has a whole new lease on life.” She encourages other folks to get involved with H.O.P.E.
“Come one time and see what you think,” she says. “It’s not doom. It’s a lot of laughing, like a meeting of friends.”
The H.O.P.E. Cancer Support Group is for all cancer patients, their families and friends. Meetings are coordinated by the Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center and are held the second Wednesday of each month, 6-8 p.m., at the Suncrest United Methodist Church. Topics and speakers are selected by the participants, and a free dinner is provided. For more information, please call Jennifer Craddock at (304) 293-3196 or Patricia Policicchio at (304) 293-9206.
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| Kristin Mascioli (middle) |
Susan Oliverio
The Survivor's Club
I was diagnosed on February 2, 2001. How dramatically that moment changed my life. There is nothing more terrifying to a young, single mother than the words, "You have cancer, dear." That's fear. I sat on the floor in my bedroom alone and screamed until no more sound would come out. I wanted the doctor to take it back like a bad insult. DON'T PUT ME IN THAT GROUP! Maybe he would apologize and say it wasn't true and it could all go away. That was my Denial moment. Then I felt the wave of fear. I knew I was afraid of the future, the unknown. I wanted out of the deal. I didn't sign up for this!
Clearly this was not about choice; I had cancer and the fight was on. That was easier said than done. The cancer patient becomes fluent in medical terminology, is a scheduling genius, a nutritional expert and a seeker of peace. I quickly settled on accepting these new roles as part of my life. Not with hopelessness or depression but an optimism that echoed in my mind each day declaring that I would fight as hard as I could no matter what. That pain and fear would not stop me. That fatigue would not define my life. Because my cancer is so rare, I have often felt isolated in my struggle. For a full four years I avoided the annual Survivor's Dinner, a national event where cancer survivors are recognized for their strength and perseverance. I was afraid to be seen as a cancer patient. If others knew, what would they think? Would that be a sign of weakness? Would people think I wanted pity? No one wants pity. I wanted people to know my strength and courage.
Fortunately, I was not alone; I became a member of The Survivor's Club. No one signs up and no one wants in, but once there, you are a Survivor for life. I have attended 2 Survivor's Dinners and have recently started to participate in the cancer support group hosted by the Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center. It's one of the most rewarding things I have done for myself. I'm no longer afraid for anyone to know that I am a member of the "the Club"... it's personal, but not a secret membership. There is no password or special handshake (although maybe we should consider one). Our strength is in our support of each other. No matter the particular disease you are living with, the point is that you are living.
The membership does have its privileges. There is a special bond among Survivors. With all the love and commitment we receive from our caregivers and family, and with all of the pain and distress they endure watching us struggle and fight; there is a unique connection among our Survivor members. People offer, "If there is anything I can do," but after 20 weeks in chemo I worried that I was a burden to my friends who drove me to treatment or waited with me at the doctor. Not so with fellow members of this elite group. A Survivor will drive you to chemo, hold your hand while your doctor reads your tests and do it with love, encouragement and warmth. They'll listen to your Survivor's story with patience and interest and a true understanding of what you are going through. Why? It is because another Survivor did it for them. No payback necessary for no debt has been incurred.
I rode my first roller coaster after I was diagnosed. I sang out loud in church, I prayed harder, I cried more. I took my two children on long vacations in far away places; I planted more flowers, watched more sunsets, danced with my friends, talked to more of my family more often. I grew more empathetic toward others, learned that saying "I'm sorry" is as important as "I love you," I smiled at strangers who stared at my bald head, and I gave others my place in line because I was no longer in that much of a hurry.
If I could choose, I would not choose the pain, the surgery, and the illness. But I would choose the roller coaster, the singing, the praying, the tears, and the wonderful memories my children and I share. I've gained so much from being in this Survivor's Club and every day I value more the bonds of family and friends that I will have with me every beautiful day of the rest of my life.
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| Diana Savage and Snowman |
Linda Shaver
WVU Employee / Cancer Survivor Held Fundraiser to Benefit Cancer Patients
West Virginia University employee, Linda Shaver who was treated for endometrial cancer is an administrative secretary in the Department of Anatomic Pathology. She is also a Home Interior Design consultant, and donated the proceeds from the sale of company merchandise to the Cancer Center.
“I called my fundraiser the ‘Gift of Life,’ said Shaver. “My life was given back to me following my diagnosis of endometrial cancer and I want to give something back in return.”
Shaver learned that she had the disease following a biopsy performed by her OB/GYN Doctor, Jabin Janoo, during a routine examination. Shaver was surprised by the news since no one in her family has had any type of cancer.
Endometrial cancer is a disease in which malignant cells form in the tissues of the endometrium (lining of the uterus). This type of cancer does not usually show up following a Pap test, but tissue samples may be taken for biopsy and examination by a pathologist. Endometrial cancer is highly curable.
Shaver found it ironic that the very place where she works, pathology, was where her diagnosis was confirmed. “This put the physicians I work with in a sticky situation,” she said.
Generally, pathologists care for each patient through the patient’s private physician and do not have direct contact with patients themselves, even though pathologists are the first to know for certain whether a biopsy indicates cancer. “Linda represented a unique
case, since she was both a member of our department and now one of our patients,” said James Coad, M.D.
H. James Williams, M.D., diagnosed the cancer after conferring with Dr. Coad and Dr. Barbara Ducatman, chair of pathology.
Shaver knew the sequence of events involved with analyzing tissue samples and diagnosing the results. “I became proactive and asked the pathologists what they concluded,” she said.
Shaver had surgery followed by several radiation treatments coordinated by Dr. Scott Watkins and the staff at the Cancer Center, “I feel fine,” she said. “I couldn’t have received better care anywhere in the world. I really mean that.”
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