From Memorial Health System
Kathy Springer is always on the move. As CEO of United Way of South Mississippi, a devoted volunteer for nonprofit and civic organizations and a dedicated mom, wife and friend, she only knows one speed — fast.
The day she was scheduled to receive her mammogram was a busy one, as usual.
“It’s never a good time, but I went,” Springer recalls. “I’m sure everyone thinks about rescheduling, but I ran in and ran out. Never in my wildest dreams did I think there was anything there because I couldn’t feel it.”
The next day, Springer received a request to repeat the mammogram. Then, she learned she had breast cancer.
“This is the sorority you never want to be in,” Springer says of her diagnosis. “It was a complete surprise.”
The first thing she asked her oncologist, Dr. Allison Wall, was, “Am I going to die?” — to which Dr. Wall replied, “No, you’re not going to die. We’re going to take this step by step and work through it.”
POWERED BY PURPOSE
“Honestly, I was not afraid. To this day I haven’t cried, nor have I asked, ‘Why me?’” Springer says. “I truly believe that getting up in the morning and having purpose in your day is key to everything.”
She hasn’t missed a day of work since being diagnosed and starting treatment. She knows that this is not the case for everyone, and no two people have the same journey. She adds, “This is not who I am … this is something that happened to me.”
Springer’s family and her faith have helped her navigate the shock and see the upside of her diagnosis.
“My work family and friends have been extremely supportive, and they know more about breast cancer than they ever wanted to know,” she says.
GETTING PERSONAL CARE
Springer is grateful for her entire care team throughout her journey.
“I trust in my doctors,” she says. As for Dr. Wall, she adds, “For as many patients as she has, the care is extremely personal. When she is with you, she is tuned in, and she knows everything going on. There’s nothing off the table that you can’t talk to her about. She is open, honest and accessible.”
As she wages her battle, Springer issues this challenge to the community.
“Schedule your mammogram today,” she says. “What they found on my mammogram was not there a year ago.”
Mammograms are critical, and the American Cancer Society recommends beginning them at age 40. To learn more, visit https://wearememorial.com/service/cancer/breast-cancer/
Memorial offers both primary care services and virtual visits. Learn more by visiting wearememorial.com or by calling (228) 867-5000.