Susie's Story
My name is Susie Everett, and this story is very personal to me and to our family. Like so many of you, we have been touched by cancer too. I am a breast cancer survivor, and if sharing a little of my story can encourage someone else, then it gives even more meaning to what I went through.
A Little About My Life
I have been married to Dwight for more than 40 years. We have two daughters who are married to our two wonderful sons-in-law, and both of them work in our family business. We now have six grandchildren and three dogs. Our entire family lives in Benton, Arkansas. We are blessed!
In 1997, I was rocking along, working part-time as a nurse and raising two teenage daughters. During a routine breast self-exam, I discovered a small lump that felt about the size of the tip of my fingernail. I just happened to already be scheduled for my annual physical.
Finding the Lump
My doctor checked the lump and said I needed an ultrasound. I wasn't worried. I was reasonably healthy, exercised, ate right and was only 40 years old. I had no history of breast cancer in my family and no risk factors, or so I thought. I know now that simply being a woman and getting older are major risk factors.
After the ultrasound, my doctor sent me to a breast surgeon, and I had a lumpectomy. Waiting for biopsy results, as many of you know, is a battle against every anxiety you have.
That was a Bible verse I had repeated as a child when I was afraid of the dark, and remembering it helped me then too.
We waited all day for the call. It finally came, and the news was cancer. I was shocked. At the time, the only people I could think of who had breast cancer had died from it.
I stayed up most of that night writing, reading and praying. I finally came to the conclusion that even my worst-case scenario wouldn't be so bad, because that would mean Heaven.
I felt a deep peace and thankfulness for Jesus dying on the cross for me. Without Him, I could not have had the peace I felt that night.
Facing Breast Cancer Again
Well, I didn't die. In fact, my doctor called me the poster child for early detection.
My experience made me understand firsthand why breast cancer awareness and early detection matter so much.
Self-exams and mammograms are so important. I am thankful for the research and education that have given so many women more hope and more treatment options after a breast cancer diagnosis.
With my first diagnosis, I had a lumpectomy followed by six weeks of radiation.
Four years later, with one daughter in college at the University of Arkansas and the other in high school, I found another lump in the same breast.
Yes, it was cancer again.
This time, I knew I wasn't going to die. I also knew I wanted to do everything possible to keep it from ever coming back. I chose to have a double mastectomy with reconstruction, followed by chemotherapy.
Faith, Family and the People Who Carried Me
There are so many treatment options, and every person's situation is different. I believe each of us has to educate ourselves as much as possible, find peace with our decision and make the choice that is best for our own treatment.
The second time around, what I felt most was God's reassurance that He would never leave me or forsake me.
I had a husband who supported me every step of the way, from holding the trash can when I was sick from chemotherapy to helping with my drainage tubes. I had friends who helped, a church family who fed us, and a mom and dad who stayed with me.
I had a complete circle of support, and I will forever be grateful for every person who was part of it.
Choosing Hope Over Fear
Here we all are, and almost all of us have been touched in some way by cancer. You may be a survivor, a family member, a friend or simply someone offering encouragement. We are all part of this fight against breast cancer.
Max Lucado says, “Storms are not an option... but fear is.”
To fight fear, we have to keep our focus in the right place. When Peter focused on Jesus, he walked on water. When he focused on the storm, he began to sink.
Cancer brings fear, but we can choose where we look for our strength. Through faith, education, research and early detection, there is so much reason for hope.
Corrie ten Boom wrote about allowing God to use the experiences of our lives as preparation for the work He gives us to do. I believe that is true in my own life.
Every year, we make more progress against breast cancer. Every year, there are more survivors.
About Susie Everett
Susie Everett and her husband, Dwight, are part of the family behind Everett Auto Group. They have called Benton, Arkansas, home for many years, and their family remains closely involved in the business and the community. Susie shares her breast cancer story in hopes that her experience with early detection, treatment, faith and family might encourage someone else walking through a similar season.