Living with Cancer for Thirty-three Years

Joan Shrimpton
November 28, 2001 (Reviewed: January 6, 2004)

[In these times, there are more than enough threats - many of them imaginary - for us to fear. For most of us, a diagnosis of cancer is a real threat that eclipses all others. I first met Joan Shrimpton 24 years ago, when she was beyond the '5-year survival' point of her first battle with cancer. Her story since then has been so inspiring that I felt it should be shared. Here it is, in her own words. Robert Griffith, Editor, HealthandAge.com]

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1970 at the age of twenty-seven. This was before people really talked about cancer, let alone breasts. I had a radical mastectomy but no chemotherapy, since there was none at the time. I had cobalt radiation treatments. The statistics for my survival were not good, as cancer was found in a number of lymph nodes.

I went through the various stages of asking "Why me?", crying, anger, and fear of dying. I had two children ages two and four. I wanted to see them grow up. God had always been a part of my life, so I turned to Him for help and comfort.

My first reaction was to bargain with Him; "If I can see them grow up, I will do mission work,... etc." I remember the first Christmas after my surgery; my sister decided to bring the whole family together. I know she did this thinking I would not be around much longer.

For the next twelve years I did do "mission work" with the American Cancer Society's Reach to Recovery program. I talked with women who had breast cancer and helped them cope with their anxieties. Helping them helped me. I talked about breast cancer with anyone who would listen.

In 1982 I was diagnosed with cancer in the other breast. This time I had a modified radical mastectomy. I had neither radiation treatments nor chemotherapy because no lymph nodes were involved. My children were now in high school. I knew they had "grown up," but now I wanted to see them graduate and go on to college. Another "deal" with God; "I will continue to spread the word and help others... etc. if..."

I had been seeing doctors every six months since 1970. In 1995 my doctor suggested I have a CA 125 blood test to see if there was a chance I had ovarian cancer, since a connection between breast and ovarian cancers had been established. Five days later I heard the words for the third time: "You have cancer." This time it was ovarian cancer. The only thing worse than hearing these words is hearing them three times.

I had surgery followed by one year of chemotherapy. I was clear until a recurrence in March 1998, for which I had surgery again followed by six months of chemotherapy. I had my last chemo treatment in September 1998. What has gotten me through these 33 years? God, family, setting goals, always planning ahead and sharing my story with others.

Although you do not hear as much about ovarian as about breast cancer, there are agencies and groups that provide support. I continue to participate in two support groups. Local oncologists or cancer treatment centers can often provide information on support groups in your area. Some useful information sites, agencies, and support groups are given in the links below.

Source

• Personal experience

Related Links
Attention Must be Paid!
American Cancer Society
National Cancer Institute
Cancer Care, Inc.
National Ovarian Cancer Coalition
Ovarian Cancer National Alliance
CONVERSATIONS! The International Newsletter for Those Fighting Ovarian Cancer
HealthandAge Cancer Center

Related Books
The Cancer Patient's Workbook: Everything You Need to Stay Organized and Informed by Joanie Willis

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