Minnie Hines-Chen
Living and loving every day
"Women your age don't get breast cancer," someone told Minnie Hines-Chen when she found a lump in her breast during her first year of college. But at the end of her second year, she was diagnosed with the disease. And just a few weeks later, she was accepted into nursing school.
Determined not to waste energy on anger, fear, or resentment, Minnie chose to have a bilateral mastectomy and an intense chemotherapy regimen so she could get back on track with schooling as soon as possible. "There was only room for one enemy in this battle," she says, "and I knew I needed all my strength to conquer it."
"Being only 20 years old, all the breast cancer survivors I met were older. But it was nice," she says, "because I had strong ladies to look up to, and our shared experience opened up doors and relationships that I never knew existed."
Minnie also had good friends keeping her busy, and her strong will helped her mom keep the faith that her daughter would make it through.
I’m here and able
and that’s what
matters most.
As soon as she was able, Minnie began telling her story and educating others about her experience. She began speaking at conferences and became a Reach to Recovery volunteer to encourage newly diagnosed patients.
Minnie says that she still deals with the stigma associated with cancer. "So many people are uneducated about the disease and the wonderful people who are fighting it every day," she says. "I'm glad I can bring wisdom to those around me. I still have scars from my chemo port, mastectomy, and reconstruction. But I'm here and able, and that's what matters most."
Minnie reached her goal of becoming a nurse and always keeps her positive attitude, despite the long-term effects of her cancer treatment. "I have to take tamoxifen daily, get monthly injections, and am in artificial menopause," she explains. "I can't have children, which puts a damper on my dreams. But until I learn what God has planned for me, I will keep serving others with compassion, laughing with my friends and family, and living for this moment every day."
The story on this page was first featured in the book Cancer Adventures, by Marlys Johnson (Copyright © 2008 by Marlys Johnson). Both the story and the photograph are owned by the author and the survivor and are used with permission.
Dean Armstrong
Stomach cancer
My story
When I was diagnosed with stomach cancer in April 2005, it came as a complete shock. I was 48 at the time, and I thought I was pretty healthy. The biggest health problem I had was trouble swallowing. I felt like things got stuck in my throat when I ate. Otherwise, I had no pain. But my wife Patty was concerned. She got me to see a gastroenterologist. He did an endoscopy and found a nasty spot, which he biopsied for testing. When the test results came back, I got the news that it was cancer.
The gastroenterologist then sent me to a local hospital, where I scheduled an appointment for surgery. But Patty and I really didn’t like the way we were treated there. We felt like cattle…just a number.
Then on a Sunday afternoon, the week before I was to have my surgery, we got a call from my sister-in-law. She had seen a commercial for Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) and thought it was a hospital we should check out. Patty and I called CTCA that day and spoke to an Oncology Information Specialist to learn more. Needless to say, we cancelled my surgery at the local hospital and decided to seek a second opinion at CTCA.
After my insurance had approved me to go to CTCA, Patty and I were on a plane to Chicago within a week to visit the CTCA hospital in northern Illinois. We soon discovered why traveling more than 400 miles from our home in Cortland, Ohio was worth it.
Fighting stomach cancer at CTCA
The experience at CTCA was so different from where I was at previously. CTCA specifically catered my care to me. All along, my doctors were very good at explaining things and keeping me informed. They told me how my tumor markers were doing, how the scans looked, etc. They spent a great deal of time with me. As long as I had questions, my doctors would stay there and give me all of the information I asked for and more. That made a big difference. They were truly concerned about me.
My treatment plan consisted of chemotherapy first, then surgery. In addition, I received radiation treatment. I appreciated how thorough my doctors were with my treatment. I remember telling Patty, “I’ve already had chemo and surgery. Why do I need radiation too?” But then Dr. Eden, my radiation oncologist, explained everything to us. He told me the cancer could come back, but if I received radiation therapy, it would reduce the chances of it returning. That’s all he needed to say to change my mind.
The holistic approach CTCA took to help me fight cancer was much more than simply treating the disease. For example, I learned about what to eat from dietitians. My naturopathic oncology provider also recommended vitamins and other natural supplements to ease treatment side effects and keep me strong. The pastoral care team at the hospital was fantastic too! They prayed with me, which meant a lot.
We were really impressed with the fact CTCA had worked with hotels in the area to set up special rates for patients. Financially that really helped, as did everything CTCA did to set up my travel. When I went through chemotherapy, Patty and I traveled to CTCA every three weeks. For the six weeks I went through radiation treatment, I stayed in the outpatient lodging the hospital offers. Staying there was helpful because it was affordable and close to the hospital. Everyone else staying there was going through cancer treatment too. We motivated each other.
Cancer opened a new door
I feel better now. Everything is good! I leaned on God and my faith to get through it. And I had great support from Patty. She was always there for me. One thing she always said when I needed to go to CTCA for treatment was, “We’re going up for chemo” or “we’re going up for radiation.” She truly went through it with me.
Cancer brought a world of change for me. For a long time, I felt stuck in my job. I felt an obligation to the people that worked there to keep things going, so I stayed. When I got too sick to keep going and managing the business, I got out of the job. Once I got better, I didn’t want to go back. There was a lot of stress and I figured I was ready to move on and try something new. Eventually I started my own business.
Cancer definitely gave me a new outlook to see what’s important, and the important thing is family and doing things you want to do. Money is not important…things are not important.
I firmly believe God still has work for me to do, and a lot of that is giving hope to other people. I am a pastor at my church. To help others, give them hope and let them know there is light at the end of the tunnel is awesome.
Since I completed treatment, I’ve gotten to enjoy some incredible moments in my life. I officiated at my daughter’s wedding. I got to walk her up the aisle, then turn around, stand up there and marry her off too. Patty and I also celebrated our 25th anniversary. In June 2010, I went back to CTCA to celebrate my five-year anniversary as a cancer survivor at the hospital’s annual Celebrate Life® event.
I continue to manage my own electronic security business, in addition to do handyman jobs and woodworking. My life is full of faith and love for my family.
JUDIE L.
Stage 2 breast cancer survivor stories can often help women who are newly diagnosed with breast cancer. The Breastlink Angels 2013 calendar shared many inspiring journeys. Judie’s story was featured in the November chapter.
Stage 2 Breast Cancer Survivor Stories – Judie L.
- Judie L. – Age 73
- Diagnosis – April 1989
- Invasive Lobular Carcinoma
The worst time in my life was when I was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer in April of 1989. The best advice I ever had in my life was when I was told to go to Dr. John West and Breastlink. The journey of surgery, chemo and healing took at least a year. As I learn to survive on a daily basis, my healing continues.
Being a patient representative at the Center and consulting the newly diagnosed women has been a tremendous growth experience for me. Helping each woman to understand and educate herself with all the amenities available at Breastlink has made me an advocate for the effort to cure breast cancer. Each newly diagnosed woman is a person to guide and comfort through her difficult time. I’ve made some wonderful friendships with “my sisters.” Cancer may well be the worst crisis you encounter, but it can also be the best experience in your life.
LATE STAGE UTERINE CANCER
Marianna
Dorr
California
My name is Marianna and I am 61 years old. I am (almost) a three year cancer survivor. I learned I had stage 4 Uterine Cancer when I experienced a huge case of bloating/abdominal pain that sent me to the Emergency Room May 2nd, 2009. Other than this one symptom, I was in the best physical shape of my life. I was cycling up to 13 miles up and power walking my dogs. I was at a healthy weight for my height (140 pounds) and had had two complete physicals within the prior six months. I am fortunate because I was in surgery within 5 days. I had what is called a debulking (empty pelvis) surgery, and a bowel resection. (The cancer had spread to the bowel, abdominal lining, and onto one lung).
After 25 days in the hospital I began 7 rounds of chemotherapy (Taxol and Cisplatin). I was unable to have radiation therapy due to a colon-vaginal fistula (hole). Also, as a result of the fistula, I had a colostomy in July 2009. (It was to be temporary, but later proved permanent). In July of 2010, I had a recurrence and began 6 rounds of chemotherapy (Doxil and Carboplatin). My last Chemo was January 2011. I have had pelvic exams, scans, and blood tests every 3 months since with no evidence of disease.
Many people all over the world are diagnosed with cancers and many survive. Some survivors don't mind telling their stories and what they have been through as far as being survivors. Based off these 5 stories some survivors have positive feedback about what they have been through and how cancer has changed their life in a not bad way. Some survivors tell how their cancer was a negative effect and how it has put them through a lot. Different survivors have similar experiments but different stories and feelings towards having cancer. The survivors are willing to put up a fight!
