Cancer survivor has had tough year, but is thankful
My name is Marsha Petty. In 2013, I retired from teaching after 36 years. Twenty of those years were at Arkansas High School as a chemistry teacher. Some people know me as Phillip’s and Anna’s mom. Others know me as Parker’s and Caroline’s Marmee. Some know me as Doug’s wife. I am involved in several organizations but last year I joined a group in which one in eight women belong but none want to. I was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Big Daddy Weave sings a song “To Tell of My Story is to Tell of Him.” I am a one-year cancer survivor and my story is definitely one of God’s love and provision. On Sept. 17, 2018, I was diagnosed with stage 1B, Grade 3, ductile infiltrate, triple negative breast cancer. When I first heard the “C word.” I literally felt like I couldn’t breathe.
The week before in my Bible
Study Fellowship class, we had started our study of Joshua. Almost instantaneously, Joshua 1:9 “Be strong and courageous. Be not afraid. The Lord is with you, wherever you go.” came to me. Suddenly I felt a peace and could breathe again. I knew whatever happened or whatever the outcome, God would see me through. That verse immediately became my mantra.
My wonderful provider, Cara Cook, gave me a plethora of information and outlined some of the decisions we would need to make in the near future. Telling my family was one of the more difficult things I’ve ever done. I was particularly concerned about my 9-year old grandson. Parker had lost his precious Aunt Coco ( Courtney Sewell) to breast cancer less than a year before. As we discussed what to do, my friend Donna Harrison called saying she had talked to her surgeon, and they had an opening in two weeks. If I wanted to take that appointment, I should call first thing Monday morning. We prayed and researched that weekend and decided this was the path we should take.
When I called, they had a cancellation and we could see Dr. Michael Grant at Baylor that Friday. On our trip home from that initial consultation, we got a call saying they had made an appointment for us to see my oncologist, Dr. Joann Blum, the next week. She said, “This isn’t the best kind of cancer to have, but I am optimistic.”
The next week was a whirlwind of tests, getting a port and hearing the protocol we would be following. We then started a 4-month regimen of chemotherapy infusions every 2 weeks, followed by a bilateral mastectomy and then DIEP flap reconstruction.
We opted not to use a cold cap for hair loss but did ice my hands and feet to try to stave off neuropathy. I have a little neuropathy, mostly in my left hand. I did lose my hair but now I’m rocking my chemo curls.
Following reconstruction surgery, a large seroma ( fluid-filled sac ) formed, causing my incision to reopen and requiring another surgery. For 56 days I had surgical drains that didn’t allow me to shower. I had the expected nausea, aches, fatigue and surgical pain, but this was unexpected and definitely no fun.
So after four months of chemo, five surgeries, three hospital stays, innumerable tests and a zillion trips to Dallas, I am cancer free!!! This has definitely been a tough year, but made so much easier because of the people the Lord has put in my life — my medical team, my family, my Beech Street family, my TASD Razorback family, former students, friends and especially my husband, Doug. They prayed with and for me; they visited; they called; they texted; they sent cards; they brought food. I will never be able to let them know how grateful I am for their kindness and love.