Shirley Love Joyner
I feel so blessed to have gone through my whole life without any major illness. Since I only took daily vitamins, I felt sorry
for people who had to take medicine to sustain their lives. Because I exercised and never smoked or drank alcohol, I felt I was, and would always be, illness free. Well, at 76 years old, everything changed. I was brought down off my high pedestal.
I was on the phone talking to my cousin Shirley Brinkley who told me she had to go for her yearly mammogram. Since I thought I was above any major illness, I let her know I could not even remember the last time I had a mammogram. But, as we were talking, I felt my breast, and lo and behold, I felt a
lump. I was stunned, so I told my husband to feel my breast to see if he felt anything. Edward asked me which one, and I said feel both and see if you feel anything. He said in his usual joking way, “I would be delighted to feel them anytime.” Well, he did feel a lump in the same breast in which I felt the
lump. We immediately called Dr. Fletcher, my gynecologist, to let her know that I felt a lump, and she gave me an appointment for the next day. After examining me, she then scheduled me for a mammogram followed by a biopsy.
Dr. Levitus told me years ago that I have dense breasts, so none of this bothered me. I assumed that the lump was related to that density. I believed it
was nothing and that I would go through the procedures and be ok. I told myself that I was fine and I was not worried. A week later, Dr. Fletcher called us into her
office to inform me that the biopsy revealed I had cancer. Even after getting this diagnosis, I was not afraid. I asked what was next. My only thought was to get
this unwanted mass out of my body. I asked my husband and daughter not to share that I had cancer with anyone. My daughter listened, but my husband
shared it anyway.
After meeting with Dr. Fletcher, everything progressed very fast. On December 16, 2021, I received a message through MyChart welcoming me to The Breast
Center at Smilow Cancer Hospital. On December 17, my husband and daughter went with me to have the oncologist, Dr. Mariya Rozenblit, explain my type of
cancer and what to expect during and after surgery. The doctor explained that I had Invasive Ductal Cancer. My lumpectomy was scheduled for December 28,
2021. They found that the cancer had spread to my lymph nodes. The surgeon ordered the Oncotype, which showed that my cancer had a score below 15
which meant that I had a low risk of cancer returning and did not need chemotherapy – Hallelujah! After my surgery, I had to do six weeks of daily
radiation. The doctor prescribed the hormone therapy Anastrozole. Since Anastrozole caused extreme bone pain, I was switched to Exemestane.
My husband was with me every step of the way with every doctor visit and my daily radiation trips. Edward did everything for me. You would think that I was an invalid. He did not want me to do anything for myself. My husband was more afraid than I was. One morning as I was getting ready for my radiation treatment, I
felt extremely tired and did not think I could make it to the car. During that morning visit for radiation, the nurse took my vitals and immediately went out to get Dr. Evans, my radiologist, who informed me that they were taking me to the ER to be admitted into the hospital. I was on the verge of having a stroke. While the
doctors were working on me in the ER, my husband keeled over, and attention had to be given to him. Because of his worrying and his anxiety about what was happening to me, he also ended up being admitted to the hospital. While in the hospital, they found that I had hyperthyroidism.
The support that I received during this battle with cancer has been invaluable. Paulette Moore recommended that I connect with Dawn and become part of Sisters’ Journey. Making that call to Dawn was one of the best things I could have done. Sisters’ Journey has been a lifeline for me. The support given by this
group is invaluable. Individuals like Lynn Sistruck and Linda MacLaughlin have made such a personal connection with me and helped me through some of my darkest days. My precious daughter Monica organized a prayer group that met by Zoom every Wednesday for the duration of my radiation treatment, including friends and family from as far away as Boston, Maryland, Philadelphia, and Puerto Rico. I received calls, fruit baskets, gifts, and a multitude of prayers. I could not have asked for more support. My daughter Monica showered me with love and attention every day. My brother Ed Love, my son Eddie and my daughter-in-law Christina called or visited me every day to offer their support.
I would not have known about the lump if I had not been talking to my cousin Shirley Brinkley that day. I told her that she might have saved my life. Shirley
quickly tells me no, “God saved your life, not me.” My family has always supported me through everything in life. I have always believed that LOVE is a
perfect last name for my family because we love unconditionally. My sister Bert reminded me of a duet we sang – “I’ll Make It Somehow.” We sang this song in
church as little girls at Mt. Calvary Church in Greenville, NC. Through this cancer battle, I always felt I would “Make It Somehow.” I don’t know why I never felt afraid throughout this journey. I do know that I have strong faith, strong family love, and a husband who loves me dearly and shows
his undying love for me every day. I feel so blessed to have lived for nearly 76 years without major illnesses. Battling this cancer is a tough fight, and I realize it
may not have ended yet. With a strong faith in God, the support and love of my family and friends, and the great team of doctors at Smilow, and Sisters’
Journey, I know that “I got this” and “I Will Make It Somehow.”
Comments