A story of survival
Melissa Stancil has lived in Franklin County since 1977. The youngest of seven children born to Ruby Hester and James R. Hester, she graduated from Phil Campbell High School. She married Jeff Stancil, and they have two children: a daughter, Caitlin Stancil Witt who is married to Jackson Witt, and a son, Matthew Stancil. She loves her rewarding career as a teacher, currently teaching first grade at Phil Campbell Elementary, where she has been teaching for 14 years.
She is also a breast cancer survivor.
Q: When were you diagnosed with breast cancer, and how was the diagnosis made?
My journey began on July 28, 2015 when I received the life changing call: “Your biopsy shows lobular carcinoma breast cancer.” I had a mammogram and an ultrasound due to previously finding a knot under my arm. I received the results of my mammogram in the mail, stating it was normal. They had told me my ultrasound showed some shadowing and the radiologist might want to do further testing. They ended up calling to say they wanted me to have a molecular imaging test and then from there an MRI, which confirmed lobular carcinoma breast cancer.
I had three cancerous tumors. I was told this type of breast cancer doesn’t always show up on mammograms. It is an invasive form that is found in approximately 10 percent of breast cancer patients.
Q: Do you remember your emotions when you were diagnosed? What did you do the first few days, and throughout treatment, to cope with the diagnosis?
I don’t think I will ever forget the devastation I felt when I was diagnosed. I was in shock and thinking, “What am I going to do?” The hardest part was telling my husband, my children and my precious mother, who is a breast cancer survivor. The one thing I knew I could do from the beginning to cope with the diagnosis was pray to God for complete healing!
Q: What was your treatment like?
I received treatment at UAB in Birmingham. I had a double mastectomy Sept. 23, 2015, and I received chemo from Oct. 23, 2015, to March 11, 2016. I received radiation at the Center for Cancer Care in Decatur each weekday for seven weeks from April 5 to May 24.
I truly didn’t really know what to expect because all I was thinking was I just wanted the cancer out of my body. Chemo treatment was the hardest part of it all. After each of the first rounds of treatment, I remember getting so sick and having the initial shock of losing my hair. During the second round, I had a reaction to the chemo, which was really scary. Also, the chemo drug and my shot that I take for multiple sclerosis caused me to have flu-like symptom reactions two to three times a week.
Q: Were there people in your life who helped you deal with what you were going through?
I get emotional thinking about how extremely blessed I am to have had a tremendous amount of support through my journey. My husband and children were my rock and gave me reason to fight the toughest battle of my life. My mother encouraged me to stay positive and that God would take care of me. My church family, school family and friends put together meals to help my family. My family worked together to get me to appointments for treatment.
I had to take a leave from my teaching position, and my school family took such good care of me. They showed their love in so many ways – and one specific way that I will always hold dear to my heart. One day after school around Christmas, Mrs. Ergle, along with many of my fellow teachers and aides, came on a school bus and sang Christmas carols. That is one special memory that I will forever treasure of how God put special people in my life to lift me up when I was at my lowest!
Q: How do you feel now? Would you say your life is “back to normal”?
It has been a little over three years since I was diagnosed and over two years of being “cancer free.” Praise the Lord I am in remission!
My life has been forever changed since having breast cancer. I currently am doing follow-up care at Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Georgia. I have learned through meeting with a nutritionist how to watch what I put into my body by eating more healthy foods. I currently have to take a post-cancer medication, which has side effects. One thing that I have learned is that after cancer treatment ends, you have a new normal.
The most important thing is “I am a Survivor!”
Q: Looking back on the whole experience from diagnosis, to treatment, to remission, are there any particular insights you would share?
I am so thankful for all the doctors that God put in my path to carry me through from diagnosis to treatment and bringing me to remission. The treatment I received from UAB brought me to remission. Upon diagnosis I had so many advising me of where to go for treatment. I chose to stay closer to home to receive treatment due to my son starting his senior year in high school, and I had two sisters and my daughter who lived in Birmingham at the time, which provided me with tremendous support.
The one thing I look back and wish was different is the time it took to have surgery and the time I spent having to go back and forth for testing. All the waiting was mentally draining, when you just want them to remove the cancer.
Q: Do you have any words of advice for other women about mammograms or prevention?
A mammogram is an important test to look for breast changes. The American Cancer Society recommends starting at age 40 if you are at average risk. If you are high risk, your doctor might have you start them at an earlier age. Women should do self-checks and know their body. If you feel any knots, as I did, or notice any unusual changes, notify your doctor. Early detection saves lives!
If your mammograms show dense breast tissue or calcifications, ask questions and talk to your provider about what that means for you. I had a mammogram yearly because I had a strong family history of breast cancer. My mammograms would always show dense breast tissue. My mammogram in 2014, the year before I was diagnosed, showed calcifications, which I have learned that can become cancer. I was referred to a surgeon for possible biopsy, but he did not feel I needed one. I trusted in my care at the time. I have learned through my experience to demand further testing.
Q: Do you have any words of encouragement for a woman who is going through breast cancer?
I encourage anybody who is going through breast cancer treatment to have faith in God! I had stage three breast cancer, and when diagnosed, I was thinking, “What am I going to do?” I look back at my treatment and know that I could not have made it without God carrying me through. Keep your eyes fixed on God by reading his word and praying.
I would also write a lot on days I felt like it and organized my recipe book and pictures. I felt like it was good to keep my mind busy so I wouldn’t just sit and dwell on what was really going on.
Isaiah 41:10 says, “So do not fear, I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am thy God, I will strengthen you and help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Keep telling yourself throughout your journey, “I Am a Survivor!”
Q: What would you say to someone who has a friend or relative being treated for breast cancer? How can they help? What should they keep in mind?
I know from experience that it is hard to understand exactly how someone feels who is being treated with cancer unless you have lived it.
The important thing you can do is pray for them! Send them a card. I received many cards that lifted my spirits.
If they are an independent person like me, they will not ask for help. I had to learn to just let people help. I had friends and family that helped with food or helped my husband clean house and do clothes.
Keep in mind that there are what we called the worst days that a person might not feel like company, but other days they will.
My journey through cancer treatment has been the toughest battle of my life! I have so many terrible memories from being so sick and hurting so bad, but I also have good memories of how friends and family came together to support me. I remember days and dates vividly.
There are so many having to deal with cancer every day. My heart hurts for those suffering. I was blessed to have extensive support from friends and family and good insurance coverage. Some cancer patients need help with transportation to treatment, housing during treatment and other assistance. During treatment I had the opportunity to learn about all that the American Cancer Society does. Upon returning back to teaching in 2016, I had the desire to give back to help find a cure and help those in need of assistance. Anna Duncan with the ACS got together a fundraising project within the Franklin County Schools system, and it was a success.
I want to continue to raise awareness for those in need. I hope and pray for a cure for all cancers. I am so blessed to be a survivor, and every day is a blessing from God!
