"Use your resources wisely" - An interview with Breast Cancer Survivor, Carla Hays (Part 1)

Linda C., Carol B. & Carla H. chatting it up in the
Ralph R. Peterson Cancer Resource Library
at the Tri-Cities Cancer Center

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let us take you on a little journey… You live in Las Vegas with your husband and high school aged daughter. Originally from the east coast, you’re working to receive a transfer through your company back east to be near the rest of your family. Well, life can be funny sometimes and you find yourself being transferred to the Tri-Cities. Your husband and your daughter will not be making the move for six months as your daughter finishes out the school year.

You’re in a strange place, separated from family, no Cheesecake Factory! … gone are the amenities of a town that is operating 24-7. To top it off, a recent mammogram confirms that a lump in your left breast is cancerous. Surgery is scheduled with radiation treatment planned as follow-up care. This is somewhat of a relief – “no chemo,” only radiation. The night before you are going into have surgery on the left breast you get word from your doctor that something was also spotted in your right breast. Pathology came back with something called, “cat scratch disease.” Confused and concerned, you consult with your doctor who then seeks a second opinion.

Your phone rings and it’s your surgeon who, as you are aware, is on vacation. This is your first indication that something is not well. “Your right side is malignant,” says the voice on the other end of the phone. You have triple-negative breast cancer. The local Tumor Board recommends a double mastectomy.

Lumpectomy in March. Chemo port in April. Yes…chemo. Double mastectomy in May. Husband and daughter are still in Las Vegas. Your mother is back home taking care of your father who is battling stage four liver cancer. What do you do when life feels like it’s spinning out of control? Well, if you are a former Girl Scout leader of twelve years you do what you have been telling your girls to do for all these years: “Use your resources wisely.” This is exactly what Carla Hays did when she was diagnosed and treated for breast cancer.

Keep an eye out for Part 2 of Carla's story to learn what resources she discovered and took advantage of. Part 2 will be posted next week!