Originally from Indiana, Rebecca Byrd has lived in Gulfport since 1980 and has been the bookkeeper at Northwood Church for 21 years.
MY HEALTH CHALLENGE
In February of 2012, I had a benign tumor removed from each breast. In November of 2019, I had an abnormal mammogram. The MRI showed it was a “well-circumscribed oval anechoic cyst; probably benign. Follow up in six months.” I should’ve asked for a biopsy, but I trusted that it was benign because the previous tumors had been.
No follow up happened in 2020, and in May of 2021, I was prescribed Estradiol for severe hot flashes. Two weeks later, I felt a large lump in my right breast. My mammogram was scheduled for June, so I waited. Don’t do this; never wait!
I had the mammogram, followed by a biopsy, and discovered it was breast cancer.
The tumors were 5.5 centimeters and 2.4 centimeters, respectively. The official diagnosis was stage-three, grade-three, triple-negative invasive mammary carcinoma. This type tends to grow and spread faster, has fewer treatment options and tends to have the worst outcome.
MY APPROACH
Whether I live or die, I win, and I wanted to represent God well through this. I knew that God had a plan, and it was a good plan. He was and is in control. Even when I felt so sick, I knew this was temporary and God was going to bring me through. I kept telling myself that when I’m weak, God is strong.
MY TREATMENT
On Aug. 4, 2021, I started chemo (adriamycin and cyclophosphamide), and that September, I started 12 Taxols (a type of chemo). The next January, I had a double mastectomy and stayed flat. It showed that the tumors had shrunk to 1.2 centimeters and 3 centimeters with lymph node involvement; seven lymph nodes were removed, and three were positive for cancer.
I started 30 radiation sessions in March of 2022, and in May of that year, I started eight cycles of Xeloda (a chemotherapy drug) at six pills a day. I couldn’t complete the eighth cycle due to the side effects, including toe infection, neuropathy, burning, bright red hands and feet, stomach pain, sever fatigue, depression and brain fog.
On Nov. 1, 2022, a CT scan showed no evidence of disease! They never will say I’m “cancer free” because of my aggressive diagnosis.
That December, I had the first of many reconstruction surgeries — the DIEP flap. This involves taking the skin and fat from my belly and reconstructing my breast. My fifth surgery is scheduled for the end of this month; I’m hoping that will be the last.
THE HARDEST PART
Chemo is hard! I understand why some quit. I tried to get out of bed and go into work every day, even for just an hour or so, but there were days I couldn’t get out of bed. I am so thankful that I had many people praying for me. I had a great support system. My family, friends and church family are amazing! I felt them holding me up when I couldn’t hold myself up. They brought us food, cleaned my house a couple of times, did yard work and encouraged me through it all.
WHAT LIFE IS LIKE NOW
Life is slowing getting better; I say slowly because the chemo has damaged my body. It did a good job of killing the cancer cells, but it also damaged good things in my body. I still have fatigue, neuropathy in my hands and feet and tachycardia. I have developed more frequent and severe migraines, body and joint aches and stomach issues. I take a lot of medication to help with these problems, but the medication doesn’t always work. I have had to relearn my body and my limitations. I will never be who I was before this journey, but I will be the best I can be moving forward.
HOW THIS EXPERIENCE CHANGED ME
I think having cancer has helped me be more thankful. I’m grateful to be alive and able to spend time with my family, including my grandsons, and my friends. The thing I am most proud of since my diagnosis is going skydiving. That was an amazing experience, and I can’t wait to do it again!
MY ADVICE TO OTHERS
- Find a support system. If you don’t have family and friends that will hold you up and help you, join a support group. There are so many out there.
- Listen to your doctors. Do exactly what they say, then you can tweak the medication as symptoms arise.
- Be your own advocate. Doctors don’t always tell you everything. Do your own research (not just Google) and ask a lot of questions.
- Most importantly, get things checked out. You know your body better than anyone, and if you know something is off, go get checked. You’re worth it!