A heart full of the will to thrive
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on October 24, 2014 2:28 PM
pmoore@newsargus.com
Peggy Southerland had such a strong family history of breast cancer that she was almost expecting to receive the diagnosis herself.
"For some strange reason, I always knew deep down that I would have breast cancer," she said. "I even asked my husband early on in our marriage if he would love me as much if I had to have a mastectomy like my grandmother. Of course, he said it did not matter in the least to him as long as I was OK."
Growing up in Mount Olive, her parents were farmers and all five of their children worked the farm. Now a retired registered nurse, mostly in the area of pediatrics, she was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer at the age of 53 in 2008.
"It was a devastating year as during this time I lost twin grandsons in Texas," she said.
It was during a visit there that she noticed the lump she had biopsied the year before was now two. By the time the mammogram was done, the two small lumps had become one large one.
A repeat test was scheduled and Mrs. Southerland said she already knew the prognosis.
"In just a day or two I was seeing the best surgeon, had a biopsy scheduled for the next day and then waited for six days for all the necessary testing," she said. "My surgeon, Dr. Gilbert Garcia, saw me and scheduled my modified radical mastectomy for the following day."
She returned to Texas before the twins were born due to premature labor, and just days before her first chemo. Labor was delayed a week and she had her first chemo.
"I had a total of six rounds of chemo, the genetic testing for the Bracca gene (she was negative), lost my hair and regrew my hair," she said. "I was one of the lucky ones and tolerated chemo well, no nausea or vomiting.
"Weakness did and still does plaque me but I am alive and now have six wonderful grandkids."
Now 59, she and husband, Ronnie Southerland, have two children -- Kirby Southerland, who lives in Fayetteville and daughter Tracy Khoury, with whom they live in LaGrange.
Today she is grateful for the lessons that cancer brought her way.
"Never take one day of life for granted. Do not spend a second being angry," she said. "Nothing else matters in this life, except how we treat others and how we show others what our Lord God has done for us."
If she could pass along any words of wisdom to others going through similar battles, they would be to take care of your health, aim for early detection and do any follow-up doctors recommend.
"If we can overcome cancer, what can get us down?" she said. "Have faith in your higher being and tell others of your journey. You do not have to tell everyone you meet all you have been through. Sometimes just being a positive person is what they need."