Rickman: ‘I don’t sweat the small stuff anymore’

TUSCUMBIA — When Carrie Rickman felt something unusual during a routine self-check in June 2018, she trusted her instincts.

“I was just taking a shower and doing a monthly check,” she said. “I felt something in my breast and asked my husband if he felt it. He did, but after that, no doctor ever did.”

Originally from Phil Campbell, Rickman now lives in Tuscumbia, where she teaches sixth grade English at Muscle Shoals Middle School.

A mammogram and ultrasound confirmed something suspicious. Further testing in Birmingham brought a diagnosis of hormone positive breast cancer.

Because of a strong family history of cancer — her mother had pancreatic cancer, her father battled leiomyosarcoma, and her sister has multiple myeloma — Rickman and her doctors chose a full mastectomy. She had surgery on Aug. 1, 2018, and has been cancer-free since.

“I didn’t have to do any chemo,” she said. “I just had to take a pill every day for five years. It caused joint pain, weight gain and menopause symptoms, but I didn’t lose my hair, so I had the better end of the deal.”

Her husband took off work to care for her and their young children, a first grader and a second grader at the time. Her sister helped, and friends and family brought meals during recovery.

CONTRIBUTRED/CARRIE RICKMAN
Shown, from left, are Izzy Grace Rickman, daughter; teacher/breast cancer survivor Carrie Rickman, husband, Eric Rickman and son, Wyn Rickman.

“We told the kids in a way to try not to scare them,” she said. “They came with me for my preop so they could see where everything was going to happen.”

Rickman said faith and positivity carried her through.

“I think God made it big enough for me to feel that day so we could take care of it,” she said. “I went into it with a positive mindset that I was going to beat it, and my healing process went well.”

More than six years later, her follow-ups have gone from every few months to once a year. She focuses on family, reading thrillers and romance novels, and watching her children grow.

“I don’t sweat the small stuff anymore,” she said. “I just try to live in the moment and leave wherever I go better than it was when I got there.”

Rickman urges others not to delay screenings.

“Early detection is key,” she said. “Do your self checks every month and keep up with your mammograms. The earlier you catch it, the better your chances.”