Breast cancer survivor calls diagnosis a 'fluke'
Editor’s Note: This is the first in a series of stories about local breast cancer survivors and stories sharing information to bring awareness for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
One local breast cancer survivor said learning she had cancer was a fluke.
"I did not do self exams," said Toby Hirscheider.
She was visiting the office of Dr. Stacy Pinter for a check up. Hirscheider had decided she wanted to have an implant revision due to a golf cart wreck causing an implant to deflate five years prior.
She could not do the surgery without a mammogram. Hirscheider said it had been five years since she had one. She went for the mammogram May 27, 2020, before heading out of town for the weekend.
She came home to a letter in the mail saying the doctor wanted to ultrasound something.
Hirscheider said she searched for it and found a knot the size of a quarter.
She only told one friend before the ultrasound June 2. She had a biopsy June 3.
"I decided to tell my husband and kids that I was going for a biopsy and not to worry because I was only 45 years old and my body wouldn't betray me like this," Hirscheider said.
She got a call the next day telling her it was breast cancer.
She recalls everything was a blur from there. She knew she had to fight and be strong.
For Hirscheider, it was hardest telling her mother. She took two of her daughters with her to break the news. She did not want to go alone.
"I hated to see her scared and the pain that this caused her," she said.
After her mother took a moment to breakdown, she gathered herself and told Hirscheider "OK, let's do what we need to do."
"I credit my will to fight this head on to her," Hirscheider said.
After being overwhelmed with information from meeting with several breast surgeons and plastic surgeons, she finally asked her husband to pick. They went with Dr. James Hagans and Dr. Ed Bauer.
She chose a double mastectomy, though her mass was only on one side.
Hirscheider said she had a friend, Kathy Hall, who died as a result of a metastasized breast
cancer. She learned through helping her.
"I miss her dearly," she said.
Her surgery was July 10, 2020, at Baptist Hospital.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, she had to go through check-in, pre-op and everything alone. Her family was not able to be with her, though her husband was able to stay in the hospital with her that night. She went home the next day.
She learned the double mastectomy was the best choice because the other breast had pre-cancerous cells. The lymph nodes came back clear and cancer free.
She had hormone feed breast cancer, so she had to take Tamoxfen due to high levels. It caused her to have a hysterectomy in November, after her reconstruction in September.
Hirscheider said she has made many friends with "pink sisters" through this experience. They helped her with advice, care packages and more. There were people who did not know her, but knew her daughters, who helped her and them.
Hirscheider is pleased to say she is still cancer free as of July 10 of this year.
"I couldn't be more thankful," she said.
She encourages women to do their self-exams. Because hers was hormone fed, it was fast growing. It only took six weeks for it to grow from nothing to 4 centimeters.
Hirsheider said the power of prayer is great. She had a great support system of friends and family who prayed for her and with her.
For anyone who is newly diagnosed with questions, she encourages them to reach out through Facebook or call The Saline Courier for her contact information. She said the PTSD from the such a life changing event is real.
Hirsheider said the experience has changed her outlook on life.
"I hug a little tighter, say 'I love you' more and try to be a more patient person than what I was," she said. "I see life in a different way now. I slow down and take time to enjoy life."