By Jessica Scott Turner as told to Tina Withrow
If a cancer survivor had told me how “blessed” they were in spite of having cancer when I received my cancer diagnosis, I might have rolled my eyes and loudly explained to them that my stress scale was already off the charts. I just flat didn’t need, want, or have time for cancer!
Having grown up in Louisiana most of my life, I married my high school sweetheart Ernie, and we settled in to raise our five children who ranged from 5 months to 16 years. Ernie’s job brought us to Texas, and we felt a sense of belonging in both the Sachse/ Wylie community and our new church family.
I felt a lump under my arm one day and went to my OB/GYN who thought it might be an infection. My intuition had already told me it was cancer. Three weeks later they told me what I already knew.
One of the hardest parts for me, besides telling my family about my cancer, was being told that once chemotherapy started, I could no longer breast-feed my 5-month-old daughter. My family needed me and I needed my family in Louisiana! At times, sleep brought the only comfort I could find. How was I going to make it happen? I wanted to get back to the life Ernie and I had planned! Just thinking about my family’s schedule could make my eyes cross, let alone adding chemo, surgery, and radiation on top of it.
The blessings came in all shapes and sizes. Our church family surrounded us and was a constant reminder of what a faith community is all about. Friends, family, neighbors, and strangers loved us through it. They loved our children, cooked for us, laughed with us, and cried with us. Ernie was a testament to how to treat a woman during this time. He never wavered; he was my rock. His employer was outstanding. To know that people from all walks of life are praying for you and pulling for you makes the tough spots bearable.
Our independent cancer navigator Tina Withrow with Health-Sync spent a lot of time helping us through those anxious moments. She reinforced over and over again that I must have total faith in the medical team and those directing my care. Decision making and second-guessing the decisions you are making was the hardest part. She referred us to two amazing Physicians. Dr. Peiter Beitsch with Dallas Surgical Group and Dr. Willhelm Lubbe with North Point Cancer Center in Dallas and Verity Radiation in Plano.
“These individuals, as well their entire staff, in my opinion, are the gold standard in cancer care, “ states Withrow. Peter Beitsch is well known for his expertise in the care of benign and malignant breast problems as well as breast cancer risk assessment and management. He also works with malignant skin cancers including Melanoma, Merkel Cell Carcinoma and other complex skin and soft tissue cancers as well as Sarcomas. Wilhelm Lubbe is a radiation oncologist who also obtained a Ph.D. in molecular cancer research. He co-authored a United States patient for a molecular guided cancer therapy. This strategy activates the body’s own internal and environmental bio mechanisms to inhibit the cancer from spreading. What impresses me the most about these individuals is their commitment to quality of care given to both cancer survivors and their families.
I demanded a lot from both Dr. Beitsch and Dr. Lubbe. They never made me feel stupid or small when I asked many questions over and over again. Their staff kept me well informed and celebrated each milestone. I have a bond with them that not many will understand.
As I prepare for the last part of my treatment and recovery, I know that I have much to be grateful for. I have my family, my friends, my faith, and my amazing medical team that took such exceptional care of me. They will forever be a part of my Blessings of Cancer journey.
If you or someone you love needs help navigating cancer or any healthcare crisis, please contact patient advocate Tina Withrow at 214-546-2215 or via email at twithrow@health-sync.net.
