IN THE SPOTLIGHT
with MOXXIE
CANCER SURVIVORS
Unless you’ve been there
yourself, you can’t possibly
understand how it feels.
Three Haywood County
women who have been
through it, share insight.
If you would like to be featured in our Moxxie Magazine,
please call Jennifer Allen at (828) 646-0785
Name: Carie Slaughter
What three things would you tell a person who just yesterday
learned of their cancer diagnosis?
1) A positive attitude makes a difference. It’s ok to be sad and scared, to scream and
cry but after all of that, face each day with a positive attitude.
2) Talk about the cancer diagnosis. Say the word “Cancer”, I found it hard at first to
say Cancer, but say it.
3) Prayer! I prayed for the doctors and nurses treating me, my work family to understand
my ever-changing emotions, for my family to be strong along with me. I prayed
for everyone.
How did you find the strength to go through the treatments?
I was raised in such a loving and faith-based home that my strength came from within.
We were raised to never ask “why did God allow this to happen to me” but to say
“Why not me!” My mother is also a breast cancer survivor and I believe her faith in God
and positive attitude made all the difference in my breast cancer treatment.
What was your first reaction when you were told that you had cancer?
Am I going to die? How is this going to affect my daughters, my fiancé, and my family?
Do I have a will or do I need one? I can’t afford to miss work. Just so many thoughts and
emotions went through my head and heart. But the next morning, my fiancé, my girls, my
son-in-law and me got up and went to the Parkway. We decided there that this was a
new chapter in our lives and we were going to face it and give it to God.
How did you overcome your fears of treatments...side effects
...the possibility of death?
After several treatments, I became comfortable with the radiation technicians. They
become part of your everyday life (for 6 weeks). The “burning” side effects were not
pleasant; but I found the gift of ALOE! I continue to have an amazing support group.
The support and love could never be measured.