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Updated: 8:46 PM Nov 18, 2009
Coping with Cancer-Part 1
This year alone, the American Cancer Society says more than 40,000 women will lost their battle with breast cancer.
Posted: 5:25 PM Nov 18, 2009Reporter: Vanessa Araiza Email Address: vanessa@wtvy.com |
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Linda Kelley and Dalene Calhoun have shared a friendship for 15 years.
Six years ago, Dalene fought and won a battle with cancer. Six years later, it's back.
"I just hated this, I’ve been through this with another friend of mine with Ovarian Cancer, it’s just kind of like why another friend,” Linda said.
Dalene has her own way of coping with the situation. She says laughter and spirit are reasons to keep fighting.
"I do have colon cancer history, my mothers father and two of her brothers had colon cancer and my brother who died a year ago his began in his colon."
But Dalene's cancer isn’t the kind that killed her brother. In fact, it doesn’t even run in her family.
“I had stage one Infiltrating Ductacarcenoma almost 6 years ago on about September the 20th this year I found out that it had come back."
From cured to patient again. In the six years she was cancer free, Calhoun got yearly check-ups.
Regular mammograms were fine, but one of her doctors didn’t like the way things felt.
"He said himself that he cannot even remember the last time he had someone have a reoccurring cancer after almost 6 years, 2 surgeries and radiation."
Pathology reports showed the cancer was back in two lymphnodes and stronger than before it was already in stage three.
But fighting the cancer wasn't her only worry.
“Just the not knowing, not knowing if I’m going to be able to work and being I’m self employed and single, if I don’t work I don’t make any money."
Doctors recommended removing the cancerous breast but Calhoun didn't want to take any chances.
"Doing the bilateral mastectomy was smart because he said obviously my body is just bound and determined to have breast cancer."
With the surgery behind her, Calhoun begins another journey; this one with chemo.
"I never once thought I was going to die or anything and maybe it’s just because it was stage one and even though it is stage three now I don’t think about I don’t go around thinking I’m going to die."
Through a device called an Infusaport, Calhoun can receive her medications through this one needle.
Making chemotherapy a little less intrusive.
With faith and support of family and friends, Calhoun says she can get through anything.
"I know that there’s going to be an end to it hopefully that it will not go on and I’ve jokingly said my new motto is “it is what it is, it must be done, so just suck it up and deal with it."
Calhoun says even after chemo, she may need more treatment for as long as five years.
But she she's if that's what it takes to live her life then bring it on!
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