Take a moment to step into the lives of Shirley Huber and Susan Hermann. At first glance, they are completely different. One is a tax accountant with a single kid. The other is a stay-at-home mom with six kids. What they share, however, is a diagnosis -- one in the past, one in the present -- that turned their worlds upside down, sideways and backwards.
The diagnosis? Cancer.
“I was not expecting [the diagnosis],” Hermann said. “I had already made up my mind that the tests were negative. I wanted to believe that the lab had messed up. Suddenly it seemed like I was living someone else’s life because it couldn’t be me.”
Most people who get this diagnosis feel like they are prisoners in their own bodies, worried about what might happen and what is to come.
“[I was] scared of the future, of hurting, of not knowing, of what would happen to me, my daughter, my mom and sister,” Huber said. “I am not really religious, but I found myself praying a lot. I prayed that my sister, my daughter and none of their kids will have to deal with this evil diagnosis.”
The cancer? Breast cancer.
Huber was diagnosed the day after Labor Day of 2006. At first the doctors, somewhat relieved, told her she had a pre-cancer called Atypical Lobular Hyperplasia (ALH); then a follow-up MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) found her cancer, Ductal Carcinoma In-Site (DCIS). That happened in late September of the same year.
“You have no control over it being there in the first place. If it’s anywhere else, if it might come back,” Huber said. “In some cases, family history indicates my kid could have it too. That’s the scariest thing.”
One day in 2008 Hermann found a bump. It was a tumor about 1.7 centimeters in her breast. Later exams found another one-centimeter tumor in her lymph node, and three other positive locations. She went in after about a year to have them checked out, and the doctors told her she was diagnosed with breast cancer in July.
“My faith has played a huge role in my ability to deal with this, because I have a spiritual perception, which is valuable in understanding and accepting,” Hermann said.
The doctors told Huber she could go through radiation or have surgery. She chose surgery, and so did Hermann. They both had bi-lateral (double) mastectomies -- Huber on Dec. 6, 2006, and Hermann on July 8, 2009. They also both chose to have reconstruction. After Hermann had her surgery, the doctors told her she had to undergo chemotherapy with six treatments every three weeks.
“[Chemo’s effects were] lots of little things but it’s all temporary,” Hermann said. “So what if I lost my hair for a few months? Anyone can do something for a few months. I complained about my curly hair but now I’ll be happy when I get it back.”
Both Hermann and Huber look hopefully into the future, but both are still healing.
“Physically it took almost a year to recover; mentally and emotionally, I don’t think I’m there yet,” Huber said, “About 5 days after my surgery I would walk to the end of our block and back. After the walk I had to take a nap. Then I finally went back to work after 16 days.”
Huber has grown in other ways too.
“I’m happy I didn’t have to go through chemotherapy or radiation and have a positive outlook on life.” Huber said. “When asked how I have grown, I say I was an A-cup before this and now, after the reconstruction, I am a B-cup.”
On the other hand, Hermann did have to deal with chemotherapy, and she still has a bright outlook on life. She is eating healthier and trying not to stress as much, because cancer thrives on sugar and stress.
The doctors told her that with the medicine she is taking and the chemotherapy, she has an 88 percent chance of living for the next ten years.
“I will appreciate the opportunity and won’t take [life] for granted,” Hermann said, “I want to grow old with my husband and see my grandchildren grow. When I do that, I know I will feel blessed and lucky,” Hermann said.
Huber and Hermann both say that thinking of their family and friends helped them get through the rough days.
“Accepting help is hard. I’m the type of person who helps, and being the one who needs it is difficult,” Hermann said.
“I’ve learned that help comes from the most unexpected sources. Everyone is happy to help you, and there’s nothing wrong for asking for help,” Huber said.
Huber says that she has lots of scars she sees everyday; no longer unsightly, but a constant reminder of what once was.
“It was good to realize that the world was still good,” Hermann said. “It was okay to laugh even though I’m still going through something big and ugly. The world was still beautiful. I wanted to laugh everyday.”