Names: Jenny Williams
What did you do to help you meet the challenges of your treatments?
The only treatment I required was Mohs surgery.
What did others close to you do for you that made a difference? My mom
went with me on the day of my surgery and sat with me between surgical stages.
How did you overcome your fears of treatments? Of side effects? Of the
possibility of death? When I was first told my cancer was rare and malignant
(and as a retired nurse, I had certainly never heard of it) I knew I needed to
educate myself before getting worked up about it. MAC is very locally invasive
but does not typically metastasize to other body parts and is only extremely
rarely, fatal. When I learned all this, I prayed that God would just help me cross
every bridge when I got to it and not to worry in the meantime.
Now that you are a survivor, how are you living your life differently and
why? I watch my skin more closely and take my dermatology appointments very
seriously. I encourage my friends and family to get regular check-ups and every
scar on their faces becomes suspect.
What was your first reaction when you were told that you had cancer?
Surely they have mixed up my biopsy with someone else’s. I was 100% certain
it would come back as scar tissue and I would have a good laugh with my
dermatologist for fretting over a scar.
What did friends or family members do or say that meant the most to
you? Well, my daughter moved back from Savannah. I didn’t know it was
part of her reasoning at the time or I would have told her that was drastic and
unnecessary. But certainly that sacrifice made me realize the depth of her love
for me.
Name: Laura Wehking
What did others close to you do for you that made a difference? It was
comforting for me to know that I had close friends and of course my husband that took
the burden of worrying about nothing, nothing but putting all of this behind me.
How did you overcome your fears of treatments? Of side effects? Of the
possibility of death? I only had radiation as my treatment, so there was no fear for
me, side effects were minimal. Possibly of death, I believe it’s inevitable. Those cancer
cells hide for years or decades, until then, “ I will enjoy life everyday.
Now that you are a survivor, how are you living your life differently
and why? Listen to my body and hope it will give me a little warning and see my
doctor every 6 months
What three things would you tell a person who just yesterday learned
of their cancer diagnosis? Don’t assume it will end your life, your body needs you to
be optimistic and last if a person offers support of any kind, TAKE IT-do not say “I’m OK”
because you are not until the treatment is over
What was your first reaction when you were told that you had cancer?
I was a anxious and scared. I wanted to know how to get this disease out of me and
quick! Had a priceless support group!
How did you find the strength to go through the treatments? Oh, you find
real strength when you are looking straight to the end of getting cancer out of your body!
What did friends or family members do or say that meant the most to
you? I was given a grapevine wreath when the diagnoses came in then the “well wishes”
started coming in from family in the form of a single rose vase with a big pink bow. We
started adding the bows to the wreath, everyday I would look at that wreath and see the
grapevines were disappearing and turning to a circle of pink. Not sure who started it but
Clyde Florist cheered me on! Nothing more powerful then LOVE! In the simplest form!
Sorry this is long but I will never forget that growing wreath-just took it down a couple
years ago and I was diagnosed in 2005. ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE...and a good Doctor!
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