Sun, Oct 13, 2024 at 02:37 PM

Teresa Simmons' Journey with Breast Cancer, Discovered by Her Daughter

Breast cancer is a journey no one anticipates, but for Teresa Simmons, early detection turned a life-altering diagnosis into a story of hope.

Teresa, a dedicated administrative assistant at The Real-Estate Group for 17 years, had her breast cancer discovered by none other than her daughter, Lauren Shaver, a mammographer at Marshall Medical Centers South.

It all began during a routine annual mammogram on December 15, 2023.

“She came in for her mammogram,” Lauren said, “and I’ve been doing her mammograms for years, so I’m familiar with how they’re supposed to look.”

Lauren noticed something unusual.

“I saw just a tiny, tiny area,” she said. “I don’t read the mammograms, but I see these all the time.”

Concerned, she asked her mother to come back for additional imaging. After the radiologist reviewed the scan, it was confirmed—there was something suspicious.

During the most wonderful time of the year, Teresa was awaiting life-changing news. On December 22, 2023, she had a biopsy, and just a few days later, on December 28th, she received the diagnosis: invasive ductal carcinoma, a common but serious form of breast cancer. The new year brought quick action. On January 5, 2024, Teresa underwent a lumpectomy to remove the cancer, followed by 21 rounds of radiation treatment from February 7th to March 8th.

“Seeing the mammogram, in the back of my mind, I knew what it was,” Lauren shares, “but it’s just one of those things you don’t want to think about—especially when it’s your mom.”

Teresa admits that her December 2023 mammogram was initially scheduled for September, but life got busy, and she kept putting it off. Lauren, however, had a feeling that she needed to get her mom in for her mammogram.

“In December, I realized how long she was overdue. A still, small voice in my head told me, ‘You need to get your mom in for her mammogram.’ It was a God thing,” Lauren said.

The delay may have been a blessing in disguise.

“With the cancer being so tiny, we might not have even seen anything back in September,” Lauren said. “It all worked out exactly how it needed to.”

Now, Teresa is taking a hormone blocker for five years to reduce the risk of recurrence. She continued working throughout her treatments and found strength in her faith, her family, and her support system.

“I never went to any of my treatments alone. I was always with my husband, Dennis, or with Lauren,” Teresa said. “It changes your outlook on life—it makes you appreciate life more.”

For Teresa, the hardest part of having cancer isn’t the treatment but the side effects of the medication.

“I’m a giver; I always want to help someone,” Teresa said. “But there are some days I just can’t because I don’t have the energy.”

Still, she remains positive: “I’m blessed,” Teresa said.

Lauren feels her career in mammography was part of a greater plan.

“I feel like me being a mammographer and how I got into this field—all of it led up to this. It was part of God’s plan,” she said.

Neither Teresa nor anyone in her family had a history of breast cancer. Her story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of regular mammograms, especially for women over 40.

“Getting a mammogram can save your life,” Teresa urges. “It never ran in my family. Never in a million years did I think I’d ever have breast cancer.”

Through it all, Teresa is grateful for the care she received at the Marshall Cancer Care Center.

“This place saved my life. Everyone here is so caring. The radiation tech cried with me on my last treatment. I never had a bad experience here,” Teresa shares. “When a doctor prays with you, that means so much.”

Lauren reflects on the journey with a deep sense of gratitude.

“Her treatment and outcome could have been totally different had we found the cancer later,” Lauren said. “If you’ve never had a mammogram and you feel a lump, it might be too late. Even if you don’t feel anything, you still need to get your mammogram.”

For Teresa, early detection meant avoiding traditional chemotherapy. The mammogram detected cancer the size of the tip of a pinky finger.

“If we had skipped my 2023 mammogram and waited until September of this year, where would I be now?” Teresa wonders.

This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Teresa’s story highlights the lifesaving power of early detection. Mammograms can find even the smallest traces of cancer before they have a chance to spread. Teresa’s message is clear:

“Getting a mammogram can save your life,” Teresa said.