“It just felt like one specific spot, and it was slightly painful,” said Livingston. “I waited a day, and I thought, ‘You know what? I’m gonna be fine.’ Then I woke up the next day and it hurt a little bit more, but I decided I was still just fine. The following day, I woke up, and the pain was so severe that I was struggling to put on pants.”

When Livingston arrived at the urgent care at Community Hospital, the pain on her left side just below her ribs was so severe that she told the intake nurse that she wanted to lie down right away. She told her husband not to bother coming to see her, but he knew something about it all just wasn’t right.

“My husband said he needed to be there,” said Livingston.  “He came up there, walked in the room, and within 30 seconds, the doctor came back in. She looked at him, and she looked at me, and she said, ‘Oh, thank God you’re not in here alone.’”

Results from Livingston’s CT showed inflammation in her colon as well as a significant mass on her liver. She asked the doctor if this meant cancer, and the doctor told her that at that moment, all she could say was that it looked suspicious.

“My head was spinning,” Livingston said. “I was thinking, ‘I’m 44. I’m super healthy. I don’t feel bad. I didn’t have any symptoms until a few days ago. What is happening?’”

Livingston said that, while she was still thinking about returning to work the next day and all of her other duties, her husband Joe was reminding her that she needed to take care of herself and listen to her body. Eventually, she agreed with him, and a series of tests began that led to her diagnosis of Stage IV colon cancer.

“There are so many mini miracles in my story,” Livingston said. “We prayed and told God, ‘We had no idea this was coming. We need you right now. Guide us, direct us, give us the best possible care and show us what the right moves are.’”

Within a minute of that prayer, the man who would become Livingston’s oncologist, Dr. Neel Shah, walked into the room.

“He had his coat on, he had his bag with his computer, and he walked in and looked at me. He said, ‘I was walking out the door, I saw your MyChart come through, and it caught my attention because you’re so young. I looked at your birthday and we’re the same age. I thought about how I would feel if I was getting this diagnosis, and I couldn’t go home. I had to come see you,’” Livingston said.

Dr. Shah told Livingston that he believed her case was curable. She underwent chemotherapy and surgery, and after being diagnosed on February 8, 2024, she was able to ring the bell on November 4 of that same year. All scans and tests indicated she was cancer free, and Livingston could not wait to return to work and live her life to the fullest.

“I was declared NED [no evidence of cancer] and decided to go back to work January 1,” Livingston said. “I’m a full-time office manager for a union sign installation company. It’s a very busy job. It’s important that your brain is working correctly, and chemo brain is a real thing, so I was nervous about whether I was going to be able to go back to that.”

Not only did Livingston return to her job successfully, she also continued volunteering with Mommy’s Haven in Lowell, first as a mentor and then training other mentors there.

“Life looks so different when you realize how short it can be,” Livingston said. “There was no denying God’s hand was in my life.”

Livingston was also asked to lead a Bible study group at Suncrest Church. She saw this was another opportunity to share how God has strengthened her, and she’s proud to bear witness to the miracles she’s experienced through her faith.

At the end of July, she started to feel that something was not quite right again.

“This time it was towards the bottom of my right abdomen,” said Livingston. “It was hurting a little bit, but again, I decided it was fine. I figured I must have eaten something that didn’t agree with me. I just did not want to see another doctor. Then at about 2 in the morning, Joe came into the bedroom. He had fallen asleep on the couch. I was still awake, and it was obvious I was in pain. I told him I thought I ate something bad, but he said, ‘We’ve been down this road. We’re going to the hospital.’”

Once again, Livingston found herself in a hospital room waiting for answers.

“They did a CT, and I was so tired. I had not slept at all,” she said. “Finally, I got in the hospital bed, and my husband was so tired he climbed in the bed with me. We fell asleep right away, but then we heard the curtain open, and the doctor came in. When he sat down, we could see on his face that it wasn’t good news.”

The doctor informed Livingston that her cancer had spread, and they suspected she now had ovarian cancer. Livingston was shocked since, by all test results, she had no cancer at all just a few months before. For it to have spread seemed impossible.

Livingston knew this was not the end of her story. Dr. Shah explained that she might have options outside of his care, such as hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) surgery to attack the cancer cells directly. HIPEC surgery, however, is an incredibly invasive procedure with a difficult recovery period.

Livingston was sure this was the step she wanted to take. She felt that God was not done with her. While she was a good candidate for the surgery, she was repeatedly warned that she was looking at several months of pain and discomfort following the procedure. This never deterred her from doing what she believed was best for her.

“Joe always tells me I’m one of one,” Livingston said. “I was worth fighting for.”

In just the first two days after surgery, Livingston began walking laps around the hospital floor. Nurses and doctors urged her to rest, but Livingston said she knew her body – and her God – well enough to know when she was ready to take on each challenge. After four days, Livingston was eating solid foods and ready to go home. She believes her post-surgery recovery was nothing short of a miracle.

“Within a couple days at home, I was doing normal things,” Livingston said. “I probably shouldn’t have been doing all I did, but I was up and walking around and it was amazing. I recovered very well.”

Livingston is currently on “maintenance chemo” since her surgery on December 8. While she has not yet had her post-surgery scans, she says she feels good and is hopeful that everything will be clear. Her next plan for treatment is to travel to Houston and find out if she is a candidate for any of the medical trials being offered through MD Anderson Cancer Centers.

“I’m a huge planner,” Livingston said. “I write everything down in my calendar, and I know when everybody’s birthday is. When cancer took over my life, I had no choice. I couldn’t be that person. There was no option to do that.”

The initial anxiety she felt from this lack of control eased when she leaned into her faith.

“I kept feeling God in my heart. I heard the word ‘rest,’ and I didn’t understand what it meant,” said Livingston. “Then it hit me like a ton of bricks. It’s not physical rest. It’s mental rest from anxiety and all of the things that as humans we’re constantly prone to.”

When people ask Livingston how she stays so positive and keeps her energy through her recovery, she answers that it is God-given. She has found peace in the understanding that she is a vessel, and that whatever she endures, she can use that to glorify God and bear witness to grace through faith.

“I’ve seen my children turn to God more than I’ve ever seen before,” Livingston said. “To me, if that’s what this battle was about, it was so worth it. Whoever I can touch, whoever I can help, I want to be there for them. When I go to the chemo room, I see people that are there alone – people that are older, people that are younger, people in every stage of these battles. If my story can provide hope for anyone, that’s what I want”

Livingston also emphasized the importance of people who have just received a cancer diagnosis to remember to advocate and fight for themselves.

“You’re one of one,” Livingston said. “Your story is different from the next person’s. You’re not just a statistic.”

In addition to prayers, Livingston has received cards, care packages, meals, and other forms of support.

“I have to credit Dr. Shah and the team at Northwest Cancer Center for never giving up on me,” Livingston said. “My husband and our five children have been with me every step. I’ve also been sharing my story on Facebook since the beginning, so I see a lot of love there.”

Going forward, Livingston looks forward to a life of service, encouragement, and living every day as the gift it is.

The post Survivor Series: Erin Livingston appeared first on GreatNews.Life.

Bendle practiced routine mammograms, leading to the discovery. Even though it was caught well and early, the treatment process could only be described as a grind. It was a test of her strength and a testament to her willingness to surrender to a higher power through faith. Bendle does not feel that her story is remarkable; she feels it is relatable.  

Statistically, the threat of cancer is common. One out of every eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime.

Bendle, surrendering to awareness of her newfound circumstance, looked around at the world for guidance. She turned to her community and put her faith in the hands of a higher power. She never underestimated the power of chunky earrings, applying the darkest shade of lipstick she owned, the bravery behind vulnerability, and the sheer and willful support of her newfound community.

“I never asked God, ‘Why me?’ I always thought, ‘Well, why shouldn’t it be me with one in eight women? Why would I wish this on somebody else?’ I did ask God the question of what,” said Bendle. “I asked, ‘What can I do with what I find myself battling?’ I coped, and I saw with a new perspective because it does not take long to look around a room or a restaurant or a store or in church and think one of these women, at least in their lifetime, will be diagnosed.”

Bendle was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer called Triple-Negative Breast Cancer, in which cancer cells lack hormonal receptors. Triple-Negative Breast Cancer cells are depleted of estrogen, progesterone, and HER2 proteins (Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2), which control cell division. HER2 proteins, when overexpressed, lead to uncontrollable cell division and excess cell growth, increasing the likelihood of cancerous cell growth.

“It was a physical battle, most definitely. Your body is changing and trying to evict something that shouldn’t be there,” said Bendle. “It’s also mental. For example, I didn’t really even process my journey until I was a year out of treatment, because you’re so focused on just living day-to-day that you don’t really take the time or have the capacity to process all that’s happened. I think instinctively, I made the choice that cancer was so beyond my control, that the only thing I could control was how I would journey.”

Those who have walked in her footsteps and journeyed through the battle of cancer know that time might feel as though it has stopped, but life does not stop moving. In the private moments following the brave moments, sitting in front of a friend’s mirror, head shaven and bare, Bendle would not let cancer define her.

“I dried my eyes out for about two minutes, and then I said to myself, this is ridiculous. It’s hair,” said Bendle. “I said, ‘God, I surrendered my life to you. Surely I can give you my hair.’”

Bendle, still in shock from her diagnosis, used the resources provided to her by her Nurse navigator at the Northwest Cancer Clinic. No longer was she burdened by choice; the community and local support made it easy for Bendle to reach this decision of choosing to stay local for treatment and support.

“The first few days feel like a hurricane that you don’t really even realize you are going through, as far as biopsies, MRIs, and meeting with surgeons and meeting your oncologist. All of that happens within four days. Life halts, and you become hyper-focused on something you never imagined would invade your calendar and life. You’re inspired by people who walk the journey before you and can speak into it. Those are the women who just become your lifeline through treatment. You surround and build your community with women who’ve been there. Their stories are so encouraging, it makes you feel like you can do this.”

Bendle took advantage of local programs offered by Northwest Cancer Clinic, such as yoga, art, and even a wig class, where she met other women who walked alongside and supported her on this journey. Her daughter, Elisabeth, was set to go off to college, and her husband was working to keep the family afloat. In those moments when she felt her at-home support system was weakened, the team at Northwest Cancer Clinic proved paramount in the success of treatment and aftercare. Bendle heralds the support of her Oncologist Gowri Ramadas at Northwest Cancer Clinic.

“While discussing my next steps, Dr. Ramadas turned directly to Elisabeth, looked her in the eye, shook her finger, and said, ‘Don’t you dare think of not going off to college. I’ve got your mom, now you go and make her proud.’ I’ll never forget that moment,” said Bendle. “Coming from my doctor in a strange way, it permitted Elisabeth not to feel responsible for me. I am eternally grateful for those few sentences Dr. Ramadas spoke. True to her word, she had me, and Elisabeth is now a junior and has made the Dean’s List every semester at Hope College. The irony doesn’t elude me that because of Dr. Ramadas, she didn’t have to question her path.”

Three years later, Bendle has grown from the stigma and only struggles with what it means to be a survivor, but recognizes that cancer changed her life for the better.

“I am a different person than I was three years ago. For that, cancer will always have a special place in my heart,” said Bendle. “ I now hold space for those on the journey. I see people in the grocery stores wearing scarves or with really short hair. I was an introvert, but now I’ll look at people and ask how they’re doing. There was a little girl in church a few weeks ago who had a scarf in front of me. She was like 12, and I slid my shirt just to the side so she could see my port, and I just said, “Me too.” She smiled so big, just to know that she wasn’t alone. It’s part of who I am. It’s not the only part of who I am, but definitely an integral part of my makeup.”

In her free time, Bendle serves at a local church and shares her wisdom about the brave women who walked before her and the incredible vulnerability and authenticity of her journey. Bendle is grateful for the woman she is today and for every person who played a role in her treatment and aftercare. These people made it possible for her to share her story today as a woman who beat the odds with grace, elegance, and poise.

The post Survivor Series: Mel Shelby Bendle appeared first on GreatNews.Life.

The screening turned out to be positive. The cancer was stage two and a biopsy revealed that it was Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC), which is the second-most common form of breast cancer. Notably, ILC is also challenging to detect because it does not grow in a lump formation. Instead, it grows in narrow, single-file lines.

“Fortunately for me because of the early detection, I did not have to get chemo or radiation,” Bolinger explained. “I had to take, and still take, medication.”

Out of extra precaution, Bolinger underwent a double mastectomy followed by reconstructive surgery. 

Bolinger’s particular form of cancer stemmed from hormone-related complications. Due to this, and in lieu of not undergoing chemo or radiation, Bolinger must take medication for the next six years. 

Bolinger said it was those around her that helped her get through the cancer. She had tremendous support from her local community.

“I have worked at the same place for many years and am very close to my colleagues,” said Bolinger. “They were so supportive during my diagnosis and continue to be. My co-workers, friends, and family are the individuals that really helped me forge through the road to recovery.”

When she was diagnosed with breast cancer, Bolinger was immediately connected with great medical care. 

“While no one wants to go through cancer, the timing of my diagnosis could not have been better,” said Bolinger. “It was because of the timing that I was able to access great medical care and had tremendous support from my doctor.”

Bolinger credits her oncologist, Dr. Braik, for keeping her well-informed on her situation every step of the way – both as she battled the cancer and as she recovered. 

“My last visit with Dr. Braik was very comforting,” she said. “He always has my best interest at heart, and I appreciate that.”  

At the time of her breast cancer diagnosis, Bolinger’s children were only 15, 13, and 11 years old. Unfortunately after her diagnosis, one of Bolinger’s children passed away. 

“We really went through a lot as a family,” said Bolinger. “The past few years saw a couple of very difficult situations for us.”

Through it all, what remains one of Bolinger’s biggest focuses is others. In particular, she strives to use her own breast cancer diagnosis to drive awareness to the importance of regular breast cancer screenings and early cancer detection.

“If I can get at least one person just to know that early detection is key through the example of my own experience, I will feel like I’ve done my job,” said Bolinger. “Get your screenings. It’s so, so important.”

Bolinger’s story is an example of the importance of early cancer detection. It is also an example of the importance of grit, resilience, and the difference genuine support can make when one is going through a difficult situation. By supporting each other, it opens a door for people to more clearly envision how we can survive some of life’s greatest challenges.

The post Survivor Series: Leighanne Bolinger appeared first on GreatNews.Life.

She discovered her cancer in 2023 when she went in for a scheduled breast reduction. Upon conducting a CT scan and biopsy, her oncologist discovered the breast cancer was metastatic stage four and had moved to her spine and lymph nodes. This prompted doctors to do both chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

Faith, first and foremost, is what has led Nelson to this point in her journey with cancer.

“I’ve always been a very faithful person,” Nelson said. “I’ve had a love for God and a relationship with Jesus, so I clung onto that. Through it all, I think it has definitely grown my relationship even stronger with God. I got into the Bible, and I found a new church in Crown Point,” she said.

Initially, Nelson underwent scans every three months. Mentally, she felt like she was constantly on a three-month timeline. This is partly because she was not working as much, which meant she didn’t have as many distractions. 

“In the beginning, I think I felt a lot of, ‘I’m just here waiting to die,’ because I’m not working full-time like I was,” said Nelson.

While faith has played the most significant role in carrying Nelson through her diagnosis, the help and support she has received from her family have been key to getting her through it.

“I have four children and five grandchildren, and they have been a great support from the very beginning,” she said.

Her friends and fellow community members have also offered tremendous support. For example, when her family organized a fundraiser to help Nelson with her bills, Nelson’s friends and the community really came together to help her.

Nelson is a very active person, so having to rest was not easy for her.

“It was really hard for me to sit still, especially during recovery and between treatments,” she said.

To further help cope with the cancer, Nelson joined various cancer support groups, which have been very insightful for her.

“I’ve learned that a lot of people who have stage four cancer end up living for a long time,” she said.

In these support groups, Nelson acquired a particular hope connecting with women in similar shoes.

“It really gave me hope meeting other women who were in my same position in some form or another,” she said.

Her diagnosis and battle with cancer have put life into perspective for Nelson. 

“I feel like I’m more at peace now,” she said. “Things don’t bother me as much as they used to.”

Nelson finds herself recording less on her phone in an effort to just enjoy the moment with her children, grandchildren, and entire family.

Today, while she must still monitor her health, Nelson has gotten through the most difficult part of her journey. Regardless, she still has her faith, family, friends, and community in her corner.

The post Survivor Series: Candida Nelson appeared first on GreatNews.Life.

“When I was 10, right before my 11th birthday, I was diagnosed with germ cell ovarian cancer, and I was treated at Advocate Children’s Hospital in Oaklawn, Illinois,” Engelbrecht  said.

Engelbrecht received four rounds of chemotherapy. The treatments were spaced out every 30 days or so.

“My treatment was only four rounds,” she explained. “It was once a month for a week at a time. I was an inpatient.”

Now an adult, Engelbrecht has been in remission for several years.

“I’ve been in remission; it’ll be 20 years in September,” she said.

As Engelbrecht grew up battling cancer, her parents were often able to veil the seriousness of her diagnosis so that Engelbrecht could live a more normal childhood. 

“You get the information filtered through to you,” she said. “Adults are trying to protect your innocence as much as possible because, mentally, I think there’s only so much that they want to upload.”

Looking back now, Engelbrecht recognizes situations from her childhood that were directly linked to her cancer. However, she didn’t always make the connection as a child, given her young age.

“I couldn’t go hang out with friends, I had lower energy levels, things like that prevented me from doing a lot,” she said. “It wasn’t until I got a little bit older that I started to learn more about my cancer and what it entails so that I could keep up with my medical history.” 

Today, Engelbrecht is a mother herself. She has two children despite the low fertility rate connected to her childhood cancer. 

“I think a big area of buyership that people don’t think about is the fertility aspect of it,” she said. 

As an adult, looking back at her journey to cure her cancer from childhood, Engelbrecht realizes that her parents had to make some very tough decisions. What they went through as parents, watching their child suffer, is something that’s hard for her to imagine.

“The heartache of having to watch your child go through that, I don’t think that’s something I could ever prepare for just because of the amount of decisions that you have to make about your child,” she said. 

Engelbrecht is an active member of a cancer support and survivor group through Northwestern Hospital’s oncology division. As part of this group, she regularly interacts with childhood cancer survivors who are transitioning into adulthood. 

“When you transition into being an adult, people don’t always see you as a pediatric cancer survivor. I’m part of a program that specifically links you to doctors. They’re part of the star group at Northwestern who help survivors transitioning into adult remission,” she said.

As an adult living cancer-free, Engelbrecht is able to give back to those who are battling this terrible disease. She’s also able to be an active mother, daughter, and community member.

The post Survivor Series: Caelainn Engelbrecht appeared first on GreatNews.Life.

“I was diagnosed in October of 2023 with breast cancer,” Long said.

The cancer was stage 2 at the time of her diagnosis. She learned the news while she was with one of her children, and it was sobering to say the least.

“I was in a pizza restaurant with my son and his friends when I found out. As a mother, hearing those words,  it was hard to keep it together,” Long said.

Nearly immediately, her mind went to who she cared for in her other roles, particularly her children.

“I know they need me,” she said. “I was thinking ‘This can’t be happening.’”

Shortly after the diagnosis, Long began attacking the cancer with immunotherapy and then chemotherapy.

“I had six rounds of chemotherapy, 21 days apart,” Long said.

Long later made the decision to get a mastectomy as a precautionary measure. Today, she still takes medication daily and a monthly injection to block hormones that could contribute to cancer.

“Ever since then, I get a monthly injection and a daily pill to act as hormone blockers,” Long said. “I’ll do that for the next five years.”

While the diagnosis occurred a couple years ago and Long is now cancer free, those who surrounded her during the battle with cancer continue to support her to this day. They have not forgotten the strength Long has consistently shown.

“When Missy was diagnosed, she didn’t just fight for herself; she fought for her family,” said Jenarae Maldonado, one of Long’s close friends. “Through every treatment, every difficult day, she remained anchored in faith and surrounded by love. She showed her children what true strength looks like: not the absence of fear, but the choice to rise above it.”

Long’s husband, Alex, was there for her every step of the way and continues to be. He’s amazed at her persistence.

“She’s very modest, I’d say,” he said. “She was incredibly strong through this, and to have that strength going through it was amazing to me.”

In addition to caring for her family throughout her battle, Long worked as a nurse. She believes her strength came from her faith.

“For me, it was my faith that got me through every moment of uncertainty,” she said.

She encourages others battling cancer to lean on faith, family, and friends.

“My advice would be to put your faith in the Lord,” she said. “Get around your friends who are like-minded. Lean on your family. My husband was a support.”

Long is grateful for everyone that was there for her while battling cancer.

“I want to thank God for getting me through every moment,” she said. “I want to thank my family and my friends who supported me. I also want to thank my doctors.”

Cancer never slowed Long down. Today, cancer free, she is able to fulfill those roles and more.

The post Survivor Series: Missy Long appeared first on GreatNews.Life.

Bridegroom was first diagnosed with leukemia around the age of 5.

“I think I was in the spring break of my kindergarten year,” she said. 

After Beacon Health confirmed the cancer diagnosis, Bridegroom was transported to Riley Hospital for Children so that it could be treated with the fullest capability. At the time, Bridegroom had so many brain bleeds that she had to be put into a coma to complete the transport.

“I had so many brain bleeds that I was not stable enough to be transported by helicopter, so they had to put me in a coma to fly me over to Riley Children’s in Indianapolis,” Bridegroom said. 

At the time, Bridegroom was too young to really comprehend what was going on. 

The brain bleeds left Bridegroom unable to walk or speak. The cancer itself impacted Bridegroom’s vision, at one point even fully blinding her.

“The cancer had made me blind in both eyes and caused many small bleeds in my brain, which left me unable to walk or speak,” she said. “I went to physical and speech therapy to help me physically, and I had eye surgery to clear the blindness in my eyes.”

The cancer also left Bridegroom with a very fragile immune system. As a result, she often had to stay secluded to avoid overexposure to germs, which meant she could not go to school on a regular basis.

“During those couple of years, I tried to do as much school, music, and art therapy as possible just to make me feel like a normal kid,” Bridegroom said.

Just a few years after her original diagnosis while in remission, Bridegroom relapsed. 

“When I was in remission I relapsed at the age of 8,” she said.

She relapsed a second time when she was 10. Shortly after that, Bridegroom underwent experimental treatment for leukemia.

“During that time a children’s hospital in Philadelphia was doing a study to engineer cells to kill the cancer in my body,” she said. “It was called Cart T Cell Therapy and I had to live in Philadelphia for two months going through the process.”

The therapy was successful and today Bridegroom is completely cancer-free.

“Ever since then I have been cancer free for the last eight years,” she said.

Recently Bridegroom completed her Girl Scouts Gold Award Project. She created benches at a local Chesterton park that are meant to spark conversation to create friendships. 

“There are four benches all together with four different questions,” Bridegroom said. “They are ‘What is your favorite activity,’‘What is your favorite color,’ ‘What is your favorite animal,’ and ‘What is your favorite flower.’ The purpose of the benches is for children to have a place to make new friends by asking these questions and develop long lasting relationships.”

Bridegroom has overcome a lot over the course of her life. Her battle with cancer has not stopped her and she continues to grow and fine to her community, most recently in the form of her friendship benches.

The post Survivor Series: Phoenix Bridegroom appeared first on GreatNews.Life.

Almost 30 years ago, Siniawski went for a routine mammogram. Her doctor saw some  microcalcifications, but was confident they were benign. However he wanted to  perform a biopsy which, in fact, came back malignant. The early stage cancer was  treated with a lumpectomy followed by radiation. Seven years later, she had a  recurrence in the same breast. The cancer had infiltrated, so at that point she needed  to have a mastectomy followed by chemotherapy, which was one of the hardest  challenges she ever faced. 

“The chemotherapy was pretty intense and I seriously thought the chemo was going to  kill me. It was extremely tough for me. I missed my youngest son’s college graduation  because I was so sick after my first treatment. That was heartbreaking for me,”  Siniawski said. 

She would not have been able to have made it through her treatments without the help  of her family. Siniawski knows that it takes a community to get thru challenging times. 

“My husband was working full time, but was there for me for whatever I needed when  he wasn’t working. My Mom, who was still living at that time, was a big part of just  being with me during the day: taking me to treatments, cleaning, cooking, doing  laundry. She was with me as much as she could be,” she said. “When someone is  down and out, you try to be there for them. I never really needed anything because if  my Mom wasn’t there, my younger sister was. Of course I’m beyond grateful to my 

family. They always knew what I needed without me having to ask. They were always  there for me.” 

Six years after Siniawski finished treatment, her younger sister, Sue Straatman, was  diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Siniawski did everything she could to be there for her  sister, as was their Mom.  

“When going thru cancer treatment, stay strong which is easier said than done. Keep  your faith, rely on your family and your friends for help, trust your medical team, and  never think any questions you have are insignificant or not worth asking,” she said. “I  think a big help is just put one foot in front of the other, take one day at a time. If you  feel you can’t get through the day, break it down hour by hour. And if you can’t get  through an hour, break it down minute by minute. Just try and stay strong,” she said. 

Their father had previously died from prostate cancer when he was only 58 years old.  After Siniawski and Straatman had battled cancer, the sisters went to a genetic  counselor where they were informed that the three cancers were related. After having  the genetic test, both sisters found out that they carried the BRCA2 genetic mutation,  which explained their higher risk of contracting cancer. Siniawski’s son was later  diagnosed with prostate cancer at the young age of 41. He, too, is BRCA2 positive.  Siniawski said that cancer hit her family pretty hard.  

While the decision to have the genetic testing is a very personal one, she thinks it is  better to know if you have the mutation or not. Knowledge is power. Their older sister  tested negative for the mutation. Siniawski’s younger son was tested and also has the  BRCA2 mutation. Siniawski has 5 grandchildren who should be tested when they  become eligible age wise to test (if they choose) because the mutation is present in  their fathers. Siniawski’s oldest granddaughter was tested as soon as she turned 18  and, thankfully, does not carry the mutation.

“If you have the genetic mutation, there’s a 50% chance of passing that mutation down  to your children. It doesn’t mean that they’re going to get cancer, it just means that  they have to be more proactive with pre-screening and testing.” she said. 

Siniawski said that while she feels blessed to currently be cancer free, it is also  sometimes hard to be a survivor. Many survivors suffer with “survivors guilt”. To know  that you are here and alive while you have friends or family who didn’t make it is  devastating. However, when around other survivors, she cannot help but feel  empowered.  

“There’s nothing like being together with a group of cancer survivors. They call it a  “sisterhood” and we call each other “warriors”. Every story is different, but yet you’re  all connected because you are a survivor. We’ve all been through a lot, so just seeing  other survivors with their community of fellow warriors makes my heart full. 

Siniawski said that the most rewarding part for her now is going to events to help raise  awareness and to support the cancer community. She explained that it is so important  for women to both pass along knowledge and to be aware of their bodies. 

From speaking at last year’s National Ovarian Cancer Coalition’s (NOCC) Annual Walk,  to tying teal ribbons around trees for ovarian cancer awareness, to volunteering around  Northwest Indiana and Illinois at various events, Siniawski does everything she can to  support ovarian cancer education and awareness. There isn’t as much awareness of  ovarian cancer as there is of breast cancer, so Siniawski is helping her younger sister  with this mission. Her sister, Sue, co-founded a local group called Teal Hearts of  Northwest Indiana, which Siniawski helps with.  

Through everything she’s been through, Siniawski says she has her family and God to  thank. “My religion, my Higher Power – it’s all about my faith. You know you’re putting  your trust in the unknown and you just need emotional support from all sides. We’re  very blessed because we’re a very close knit family. My love for my family is what got  me through,” she said.

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Bessert underwent treatment at the University of Chicago with the late Dr. James Nachman. He treated her aggressive cancer with surgery, four different types of chemotherapy, high-dose radiation and a stem cell transplant. About 28 years later, Bessert still remembers the good, the bad, and the ugly.

“From being pulled away from family members before surgeries, central line placement, hair falling out – which I pulled out myself – eating so much Popeyes fried chicken to not eating at all, I remember it all,” she said.

She says the best advice she can give to families getting this heartbreaking diagnosis is to remember that kids still want to feel like a kid at the end of the day.

“Let them be a child, because you just don’t know day by day what’s going to happen. It can obviously be a devastating and sad time for everyone, but try not to be negative. Remain upbeat and positive while going through it. We would play video games in the hospital and in the halls. We met other kids in the hospital, and we all became like a big family. We even had Easter egg hunts. That Easter before my birthday, I had a white blood cell count of zero. My mom put a mask on me and made an Easter egg hunt out in the courtyard at the hospital,” Bessert said.

Bessert was told she only had a 10% chance of survival with her form of cancer. She was too sick to go to school, missing all of first grade and most of second grade. By the time she returned, she was far behind all of her classmates.

“I was told by educational professionals that I was so behind, I would never graduate from high school or go to college. If it were not for my family constantly advocating for me, I would not be where I am today. I had many tutors and teachers that advocated and encouraged me to push through day after day,” Bessert said.

Despite all the doubts, Bessert not only finished high school but also went on to earn her master’s degree. In 2013, she graduated on time from University of Illinois at Chicago with a degree in psychology. She was then accepted into the Erikson Institute’s Graduate School in Chicago, where she studied child development.

After her own experience, Bessert knew she wanted to help people. What stood out most was the sense of community: people volunteering their time, making hot meals, going over different benefits and financials, and a million other ways to show support.

“Giving back to others has stuck with me all of my life, especially since my cancer treatment. Serving others is something that is not only important to me, but it is my purpose in life,” she said.

As an adult, Bessert has helped at many places including the American Cancer Society, Camp Quality (a cancer camp), the University of Chicago Comer Children’s Hospital, Diabetes Conferences through the Kovler Diabetes Center, NorthShore Health Center’s Hospital, Gilda’s Club Chicago, various elementary and special needs schools, and GiGi’s Playhouse National Down Syndrome Achievement Centers.

While working with children and families has been fulfilling, it has ultimately led Bessert to her next chapter of teaching.

“Throughout my career of working with children and families, I have met some amazing individuals, in which today I can call colleagues and friends of mine. They have believed in me and have seen my true passion for the child development field. I have now been able to teach at the college level these past three years as a child development professor at Olivet Nazarene University. It has been so unbelievably rewarding,” she said.

Bessert now spends her free time outside in the garden that her husband built for her. She also enjoys cooking, spending time with her dog, Bella, and traveling. She had wanted to travel for as long as she can remember.

“When I left first grade, we were learning about Italy. We were learning about Pompeii and volcanoes. I was only there a few weeks, and I was so mad that I had to leave to go have my treatment because I really wanted to learn about these volcanoes and Pompeii,” she said.

Bessert’s grandmother showed her pictures and promised her a trip to Italy when she graduated eighth grade. She eventually got to see Pompeii in person. Bessert and her husband have continued to travel, with plans to see the world.

Her strenuous treatment left her with many side effects, such as chemo brain, hearing loss, endocrine failure, lung disease, diabetes, neuropathy, spinal issues, and liver, heart and kidney problems. However, she wants people to know she is more than someone who had cancer. She is grateful to still have a beautiful life worth living.

“I try my best to live a happy life through good and bad days with my medical obstacles. Cancer can change your life, sometimes for the better. You learn what is most important in life and live by exactly that. Laughter, determination, my fight, family, friends and my most amazing and supportive husband keep me going daily. I think about how blessed I am to be here alive each and every day,” Bessert said.

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