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Survivorship Stories
In this section you will find the inspirational stories of real survivors sharing their experience with cancer. To share your story or to honor a cancer survivor in your life, submit “thankful moments” to the Kaleidoscope on Ice Facebook page and the KscopeOnIce Twitter page.
Charlie Brown, 1 year Survivor of Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Charlene (Charlie) Brown is a mother of two, a grandmother of fourand recently retired after working for the same company for fortytwoyears. While a native of Cut Bank, MT, she has lived manyplaces in her 63 years.
Charlie’s father, sister, and aunt all faced breast cancer in theirlifetimes - and although Charlie exercised, ate well, never smoked,and had yearly mammograms to screen for breast cancer, she alsofound herself facing the disease. Because of her family’s medicalhistory, Charlie was considered “high risk” for developing breastcancer at some point in her life. She and her doctor decided to addan MRI screening to her yearly mammogram.
Charlie’s proactive approach to screening for breast cancer allowedher doctors to catch the disease in its earliest stage. Her medicalteam is now working together to help her fight the cancer and theCancer Support Community - East Tennessee is helping to empower,educate and support her through the experience.
Vicky Neer, 5 year Ovarian Cancer Survivor
‘I’m here today because of the luck of the calendar,” said Vicky Neer, an ovarian cancer survivor. In September 2005, Neer was balancing a busy career and family life. She had been feeling a little under the weather, but it was only the annual trip she made to the gynecologist that caught her Stage 3 ovarian cancer. Because Neer had a family history of ovarian and breast cancer, she had a sonogram with her annual gynecologic exam, which found signs of ovarian cancer.
Within a week of her sonogram, she had a CT scan, MRI, referral to a surgeon, and surgery to remove the cancer. Under the direction of her doctor, Dr. David Tait, Levine Cancer Institute, she then began an aggressive treatment protocol.
Six years later, Neer is cancer free and feels strongly about supporting other cancer survivors through the process. To that end, she has joined the Institute’s Teal Magnolias, a support group for women going through ovarian cancer. Called the silent killer, ovarian cancer is seldom diagnosed until a late stage because the symptoms are so vague. Together, the women of the Teal Magnolias provide emotional support for one another, while working to raise awareness within the community about the disease and funds to find a cure.
“Cancer changes you emotionally, physically, spiritually; it’s so important to talk about it, support each other, and celebrate survivorship,” Neer said. Neer’s advice for all women is to never be too busy to go to the doctor, to know your own body and family history, educate yourself about these diseases, and remain active and positive, even in the toughest of times.
Naryah, Age 8
I was just getting to be big like my big brother and attend big kids school. I waited my whole life for this and I was determined to out shine him in everything he had already done and was doing .Yes, I am very competitive and like to win. That is till the day my father discovered I had a lump between my nose and lip. My mother rushed me to the doctor the next day to be told that it was nothing more than a childhood cyst. It could be easily removed and I could get back to my normal routine. The day ofsurgery came and went and I was due back to see the doctor in five days.
Two days later my mother received a call that would change her life forever. It changed mine but I think hers mostly. We crowded in the small office and it seemed like it was 100 people in there with tears in their eyes. I sat on the exam table as the Doctor gave the grim news. The look in my mothers eyes was one of war and worry. That’s when I had to decide that Cancer wasn’t going to have me but I was going to have it. So I said a prayer my mother taught me to say “Lord give me the strength to fight.” That’s what I did and I won and now I am two years Cancer free.
From Vicki Weeks Barrilleaux, Colorectal cancer survivor, "What cancer survivor inspires you?"
It would be very difficult to name just one. When you meet a cancer survivor there seem to be that immediate knowledge that they are someone of tremendous strength. If I have to choose just one, it would be my great nephew, Kory Guidry. Kory was diagnosed when he was just 2 1/2 years old with AML. This type of leukemia is usually diagnosed in adults. I watched this toddler endure a rigorous treatment that no child should have to go through. I am pleased to say he is about to celebrate his 10th year of survivorship. He was my role model during treatment.