A Survivor's Story
by Jeanne Hester, Greater Fort Worth USBC
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| Sharon Liles (left) with her sister-in-law Holly Ginn |
“When I was called back for a follow up mammogram, I didn't think anything about it. I have had to go back on several mammograms. When they came back in and wanted to do a sonogram-I knew.” And so Sharon Liles' journey began.
A bowler of 28 years, Sharon began her bowling experience at Don Carter-Beach in a mixed league. She said she set a “whopping” 86 average. Her highest series ever was 522 in 1998, and her highest game is 218, “a long time ago.” Her sense of humor is contagious, her smile warms your heart. That sense of humor came in handy as a means to help handle her cancer.
Sharon's biopsy was done January 8, 2008 on the 6mm pea sized lump which could only be detected by a mammogram, and then confirmed on the 14th. She armed herself with every bit of informational ammunition she could find. The first phone call went to a breast cancer survivor for the name and number of her surgeon. Shortly thereafter, Sharon and husband, Jimmy Love, sat with the doctor to weigh Sharon's options.
“The emotional part really didn't hit me until the surgeon told me I had to make my own decisions in my treatments,” Sharon remembered.
Her choices were a bit overwhelming, the list running the gambit from lumpectomy with bilateral breast reduction to double mastectomy. In Sharon's words, “Too many decision and too many what ifs!!!”
Adding to the concern was the underlying family history. Her mother, Jean Liles, was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 45. She would die at 60 from pancreatic cancer, metastasized from the breast cancer 15 years prior. Sharon's maternal grandmother, Eva Watson, was diagnosed with breast cancer after Jean's, and died as a result of the disease. The fact that her mother's immediate family had lung, brain, and prostate cancers in the mix clouded the decisions even more.
Sharon researched and requested the BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 testing. These test have proven helpful in highlighting certain genes that make some women more susceptible to developing breast and other types of cancer. BRCA is short for Breast Cancer. Although very expensive, it can detect a lifetime chance of developing breast and/or ovarian cancers, as well as colon cancer, that is greatly increased if she inherits the altered genes.
According to Sharon, “This testing may or may not be covered by your insurance. That was the case with mine. Medicare will cover this procedure, but that was coverage we didn't have. It was on a case by case basis, the insurance company said. I took a note from my doctor back to the genetics center and then on to the insurance company to get it paid for. Fighting with the insurance company for coverages will make you sick enough by itself. All we ever wanted is to have the best care and get well.”
The results from both tests came back, 3 weeks later, negative. Without the BRCA testing results available from her mom and grandmother, nothing is positive. However, it looks like Sharon falls into the category of people who just “get” breast cancer. At least she knows the gene mutation had not been detected.
On March 12th, Sharon's decision was finalized, to have a lumpectomy with bilateral breast reduction on both breasts. Her diagnosis was Stage One Invasive Duct Carcinoma, which had not spread to the lymph nodes.
As a precaution, 4 rounds of chemotherapy started in May, at 3 week intervals. Then starting September 8th, she began her 34 radiation treatments, with “graduation day” being October 24th.
None of her activities really stopped after the surgery. 2½ weeks after the surgery, she was back at work in the office of Montesello Homes. She said her boss, John Montgomery was so understanding about her frequent doctor appointments, as well as the chemo and radiation treatments. Even with all these, besides the initial “recoup” time after the surgery, Sharon has only missed 3 hours of work.
But what about bowling? Sharon had to miss bowling in her 25th consecutive Women's State Tournament in Lubbock when her team went in May. Not being a summer league bowler, she didn't miss out there, and when the fall league she is a member of began on September 29th, he doctor told her to go for it if she felt like it. When she walked into the organization meeting that day, she announced, “I'm bald, I'm fat, but I'm here!” She had never been so beautiful.
Tiredness is still a problem, as she hasn't regained all of her energy and endurance, but doesn't feel that her bowling has been greatly affected. Her feet have been swelling due to the residual effects of chemo, but she said she did get a new pair of bowling shoes out of it. The gym is again a destination of Sharon's as she works with a personal trainer to gain back her strength, and lose a few pounds she found during treatments.
Sharon was asked if and how her bowling family has helped through this trial. She said that the support and prayers have meant so much. She thinks it was good to continue bowling up until the surgery because she could take her mind off of the upcoming changes in her life. She also knew if she needed anything, she had only one phone call to make and help would be on its way. “My bowling family is my extended family, all the way from Michigan to Louisiana, back to Texas. I hope they know that I'm there for them if needed.”
On November 7-9, 2008, Sharon's sister-in-law, and fellow teammate, Holly Ginn, will participate in the Breast Cancer 3 Day, a 60 mile walk that benefits the Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund. On her web site concerning the walk, Holly wrote, “While I have always felt strongly about supporting this cause, it became personal for me this year when my very dear friend/sister-in-law, Sharon was diagnosed with breast cancer in January. So, I have pledged to walk in her honor and am looking forward to the challenge!!!”
Sharon stated that when she read Holly's remarks, it really hit home that she was a Breast Cancer SURVIVOR. “I try really hard to find the good in this, the education of this, and maybe somewhere in the future, a way to strengthen myself to share with someone the need to NOT be afraid and the urgency for breast exams and mammography.”
Grateful is the expression used to describe Sharon's feeling for Holly, Joanna Youstra, and Lou Ann King for taking the time from their families to train and walk in this event. Next year, at this time, she prays there will be a cure, and women can move forward. In 2009, she fully intends to be able to participate in the Race for the Cure events in Dallas and Fort Worth.
On Father's Day this year, Sharon decided to put on her wig for a lunch outing with Jimmy's daughter. It was a really hot day, and due to hormonal issues associated with breast cancer, she was sweating (or as women like to say-glowing) profusely. When she turned to speak to someone, her head turned, but the wig didn't. She and the others had a great laugh, but that was the day baseball caps became her fashion statement.
Up until 2006, Sharon Liles had never missed a mammogram. She had a one year lapse. Thank goodness she didn't skip another year for who knows what might have been. When asked for any advice, she narrowed it down to 4 simple reminders:
- Do your self breast exams monthly.
- Get a mammogram yearly.
- Don't take any lump, bump, or indention for granted-get it checked out.
- Understand that Breast Cancer is NOT a death sentence.
For more information on the Breast Cancer 3 Day benefiting the Susan G. Komen Walk for the Cure or for a way to donate, go to www.the3day.org. Also, the National Cancer Institute has extensive information on the BRCA 1 and 2 testing. You can find them at www.cancer.gov.
From a Husband's Point of View
by Jeanne Hester, Greater Fort Worth USBC
“My first reaction to Sharon's diagnosis was “Oh NO!!' This can't be happening!! But it was, and it was real! We have been together so long, I wondered what if? The love of my life doesn't deserve this!! She is too much a do-good, helping anyone that needs it. I WAS MAD!”
Jimmy Love reacted most likely the way many men would, “Why her?” They had suffered the loss of both of their fathers two years prior to Sharon's diagnosis, and the pain of their passings was still emotional. Now this. Like Sharon, after the shock had worn off, Jimmy knew they could fight this and beat it. They would fight to the end.
So, Jimmy lent his strength to that of Sharon's. They researched together, prayed together, and “kept the faith” that everything would turn out for the best. Sharon described him “being there for everything-staying with me in the hospital, every chemo treatment, and to every doctor appointment. He has been the nurse, the chef, the maid, the chauffer, the second set of ears at the appointment, and a good listener.”
As Sharon finishes her treatments, I asked for Jimmy's thoughts on the cancer. “I can't stand the thought of not being there to support her. She is my strength, my love, my world!! She is deserving of a full and complete recovery so that she can help others-just like always.”
When something as serious as cancer is found, one can start planning the fight, and one would want the best fighters on the team. Sounds like Sharon has a pretty strong fighter on her team. I'm sure she would agree, she's a very lucky woman to have a Jimmy Love by her side. She isn't fighting alone.