‘Spend time with the people you love'

Cecilia Smith of Fayetteville was only 32 when she was diagnosed with DCIS: ductal carcinoma in situ. With no familial history of breast cancer or genetic disposition, it seemed to come out of nowhere. She said she’d felt a lump for a while but hadn’t had a mammogram because of her age. “After several months of worrying, I decided to have a biopsy and was diagnosed with cancer. The best way I can describe getting a cancer diagnosis is feeling like you have been put inside a blender and someone has turned it on. Fear, worry, and confusion.”

Even though her cancer was in the early stages, doctors recommended a bilateral mastectomy because she was so young. The surgery was performed by Dr. Michael Cross, a surgical oncologist with Breast Treatment Associates in Fayetteville. “I had sentinel node biopsy at that time, and my nodes were clear and showed no involvement,” she said.

Then, in 2006, came devastating news. Cancer had returned, this time in her lymph node. “It was rather large— the size of a golf ball when I felt it. I had all of my lymph nodes removed on that side. I underwent chemotherapy, and I also had Herceptin infusions after the chemotherapy. That treatment lasted over a year.”

The drug Herceptin is used to treat HER2-positive breast cancer. As explained on breastcancer.org, “Herceptin works on the surface of the cancer cell by blocking the chemical signals that can stimulate … uncontrolled growth” of the HER2 gene, thus stopping or slowing the growth of the breast cancer.

“Dr. Cross did both surgeries. With both instances, I got second opinions on treatment options, and both times the doctors were all in agreement on the course of action,” Cecilia said.

The moth er of two daughters, Peyton and Avery, Cecilia, 49, is married to Kelly Smith and works as the development director for Susan G. Komen-Ozark Affiliate. She said that during her bouts with cancer, she had support from her family and friends. “I have a strong faith. I had friends who were praying for our family. My mother was able to help, and friends provided meals and helped with our children. Peyton was in fourth grade and Avery was in first grade, so we needed a lot of help with the girls. Neighbors would let them come over to play so that I could sleep, and would help with carpooling.”

She said one of her sweetest memories “is that I was so upset that I couldn’t decorate for Christmas because I was so sick and fatigued. Our family went out of town for Thanksgiving, and while we were gone our friends came over, put up our tree and decorated it! My husband has always been very supportive and encouraged me. He gave me pep talks when I didn’t know if I could go on with the treatment and recovery from surgeries.”

Cecilia offers guidance to anyone going through breast cancer. “Take care of yourself physically, mentally and emotionally when faced with a cancer diagnosis. Take one day at a time. Don’t compare your treatment course to someone else’s because everyone’s cancer is different, and your treatment plan may be different based on your cancer type. Find a support group of cancer survivors where you can share what you’re going through with people who understand. Spend time with and enjoy the people you love.”