Owensboro Health | Lift | June 2018

Cancer Care It started on a Friday night in March 2016, when Cindy Reed yawned and stretched while lying in bed. As her hand passed over her chest, she felt a lump. She called her OB-GYN on Monday and got an appointment on Tuesday. On Wednesday she had a mammogram, and on Thursday a biopsy was performed. The following Monday she was told the results. Reed had been healthy for most of her life. Now, she had breast cancer. “Getting the news was stunning, numbing,” Reed said. “As I talked to the educator and was finding out what I needed to do, it kind of sunk in and made me want to cry.” No need to travel From the start, Reed knew she was going to fight. “I was not going to let this change my life any more than necessary. I still wanted to participate in my life as much as I could,” Reed said. When she was asked where she wanted to receive her care, she chose the Owensboro Health Mitchell Memorial Cancer Center. “It was important to stay here at home where I could do what I needed to do without interrupting my life and everybody else’s life,” Reed said. “There was no reason to travel anywhere else.” During the following months, Reed underwent treatment and was part of a clinical trial for breast cancer. Participating in the study while staying here was also important to her, she said. “My mother had breast cancer. Two of her sisters had breast cancer. Seven months after I was diagnosed, my sister was diagnosed with breast cancer. And then I’ve got two young girls,” Reed said. “Anything that’s going to help them or anybody else is high on my priority list.” A little over two years later, Reed is healthy and continues to be screened as part of her follow-up care. “My health today is wonderful. I’ve got my strength back. I’ve got my energy back. I play with the kids. I go to work every day,” Reed said. “It’s great to be back to normal. It’s just wonderful. I didn’t expect to be doing this well this quickly. I couldn’t ask to be doing any better.” What matters most Reed is grateful for all the support along the way. “I could not have made it through this without all of the people involved: The cancer center, my grandchildren, my children, my family and friends. They’ve all been a big help,” Reed said. “The staff up there (at the Mitchell Memorial Cancer Center) is just phenomenal. I can’t say enough about how great they are.” Now Reed is focusing on what matters most. “After I first found out I had cancer, I was very scared that this might limit my life and I’d not be able to see my girls and grandchildren through adulthood, and that was very scary,” Reed said. “But I know now that’s not going to happen. I’m going to see them through.” Cindy’s story Looking forward to a life filled with love and family “The staff up there (at the Mitchell Memorial Cancer Center) is just phenomenal. I can’t say enough about how great they are.” —Cindy Reed Getting screened can be critical. Visit OwensboroHealth.org/YOUCAN or call 877-888-6647 . 2016 OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD A QUALITY PROGRAM of the AMERICAN COLLEGE OF SURGEONS 6 Owensboro Health • June 2018