From One Survivor... to Another... to Another... to Another...
A Breast Cancer Survivor’s Handbook
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My mother, Jean Hulsey, was diagnosed with breast cancer in March 2005, nine short months after my father was killed in a car accident. My siblings (two sisters and a brother) and I met in Missouri for the day of the lumpectomy. We handle these situations with humor to cover our fear and anxiety. The morning of surgery we rose early to go with mom to the hospital wearing bandages on the right side of our chest. Even my brother and brother-in-law! We drew many stares and smiles.
We walked on this journey with mom. Probably more so because daddy wasn’t by her side physically. He was always very protective and shielded us from bad news. Once we didn't even know she was having a partial hysterectomy until the surgery was over!
My far away sister, Cindy, and I went to mom's as often as our work schedules allowed, to take her to the doctor, to chemo, and later radiation. My sister, Janice, who lived nearby, usually took her to all of these appointments. Kent, who lives in Springfield, often met Mom and Janice at the cancer center for her treatments. I was always amazed by Mom's spirit, her outlook, and her faith that guided her on this journey. During her treatments she took a trip to South Carolina (the first grandchild's high school graduation), to England (for an already scheduled conference and tour), to Iowa (for a historical convention meeting), and repainted her family room as well as teaching Sunday School every week she was in town.
Mom often said there were things she couldn't remember or wish she had written down. I served as the family communications coordinator during this time and relayed information and news to friends and family through notes and e-mail. People often responded by e-mail and I forwarded that encouragement to her. When her treatments were finished I gave her a scrapbook with all the e-mails sent and received, mementoes (including the bandages we wore)!. Having the scrapbook helped her remember the little things and reminded her of all the support and prayers during her cancer journey.
When asked before going into surgery, by one of the nurses, if she was nervous, Mom's reply was, 'No, I figure this is a win, win situation. If I make it through the surgery and everything is fine I get to be with my children. If I don't, I get to be home with the Lord.' Her strength has been an inspiration to us all. She truly understands the Scripture, 'Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7, NIV) through experience not just head knowledge.
When I (Angelia) was diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2009 the first thing I did was go and buy a journal. I told Tom, my husband, I want to write my feelings--grief, anger, praises--down. On the really bad days I can look back and see how God worked in my life on this journey. Tom and I prayed that God would use this pause in our lives as a ministry opportunity.
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About the Book
“You have breast cancer.” Each year thousands of people—women and men—hear those words. It’s likely that some time in your life, a friend or family member will hear those words. It may be you. Although your medical professional and even your brain may be telling you it’s definitely treatable and possibly even curable, it would be natural if your first emotions were panic and fear. Your next thoughts may be How can I deal with this?
From One Survivor to Another … to Another … to Another … A Breast Cancer Survivor’s Handbook shares the questions, the fears, and the hopes of individuals battling breast cancer. Authors Jean Hulsey and Angelia Hulsey Carpenter are mother and daughter—and breast cancer survivors. Hulsey was diagnosed in 2005 and Carpenter four years later. In this handbook, they tell how they helped each other through their cancer treatments despite living in different states. You will laugh and cry as they share the similarities and differences in their survival journeys. Survivor tips, cosurvivor actions, and journaling pages include everyone in the breast cancer journey.
Battling breast cancer is stressful, scary, and can sometimes make one feel alone. From One Survivor to Another … to Another … to Another … A Breast Cancer Survivor’s Handbook provides practical information and hope, two things that are pivotal to fighting and winning against breast cancer.
About the Author
Jean Hulsey and Angelia Hulsey Carpenter are mother and daughter who survived breast cancer at different times. Thanks to the telephone and trips to each other’s homes, they were able to help each other through their cancer treatments. Hulsey lives in Lebanon, Missouri, and Carpenter and her husband live in Alexandria, Louisiana.