Testimonials at Cancer Institute at Alexian Brothers Hospital Network
Chemo Buddies: Nancy Scislowski and Kathy Thomson
My name is Nancy Scislowski and I was 34 years old when I was diagnosed with Stage III Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. In January 2004 while breastfeeding my 6 month old son, Alec I found a lump in my right breast. My initial thought was a clogged milk duct, but deep down I knew it was something else. At the time, my family was preparing for the loss of my nephew Connor to Leukemia, so I did not have the lump checked. Connor passed in February after a courageous 3-year battle.
I finally made the appointment and thought the results would show that it was another fibroid adenoma, which I had removed 10 years earlier. On April 3 my life was forever changed and I became a part of a new society, the society of survivorship. April 28 I had a lumpectomy, my treatment plan included radiation and chemotherapy.
It was very difficult to call my family and tell them that we had to go through another cancer diagnosis so close to the loss of Connor. It was difficult to look at my young children and wonder if they would grow up with a mother. I began to desperately search out a lifeline to pull me through and help me realize that I was going to be ok. That lifeline came to me when I was introduced to my "Chemo Buddy."
My name is Kathy Thomson and I was 38 years old at my cancer diagnosis. I am a Stage II breast cancer survivor and received the same treatment plan as Nancy. I was wiping down the kitchen table when my breast hit the table and caused pain. Even though my mammograms had been clear. I knew there was something wrong. I scheduled an appointment and had my surgery in May 2004. I then received a call that turned my world upside down.
The day I met with my oncologist and received a tour of the office, I asked the nurse if there was anyone my age that I could meet and be teamed up with for therapy. I felt alone looking around the office, there was no one there that looked my age. The nurse immediately thought of Nancy and said she would put us together in the same room for treatments. From that moment on, Nancy and I would always share treatment rooms and become "Chemo Buddies."
It meant a lot to both of us to have someone there. The dreaded chemo appointments had a little bit of a silver lining. We coached each other through our treatments and became each other's cheerleaders. We would have long conversations, which allowed us an escape from what we were going through. I knew what to expect because Nancy was ahead of me in treatments and it helped even at the most difficult of treatments.
We had the same oncologist and he would check in on us during our visits. It was the hot summer of 2004, we joked with our doctor about hooking us up to an IV of margaritas and bringing in buckets of sand for our feet. Being together allowed us to laugh, yes laugh, laughter is the best medicine!
Of course a big topic of conversation for months was our hair. It was a tough psychological obstacle to overcome. We talked about how our hair fell out and gave each other tips on how to style and deal with our wigs. We had a pact that in February we would both ditch our wigs, no matter how short or how little hair we had, the wigs were no more. So in February we were out and about in our new "hairdos." We do still discuss our hair just now we share how good it feels and how quickly it came back. We will never complain about a bad hair day again.
In October we participated in The Cancer Institute at Alexian Brothers Fashion Show. We had a great time and enjoyed being "made up" for the event. Kathy strutted her stuff on the runway just 2 days after her last Taxol treatment and Nancy was halfway through her radiation. Participating in this event was such a boost to our confidence.
For 6 months your life is basically on hold. You wage a war with your body against the enemy, and your determination to survive and win surprises you. One never knows they have it in them all along. Even to this day, we remain close and each other's cheerleaders. We know we are both just a phone call away when we are apprehensive about an upcoming test, a questionable symptom or a doctor's visit. We laugh, cry and we celebrate. We were unfortunate to receive the diagnosis, but ever so fortunate to have met each other. "Chemo Buddies" for life!
