The Fayetteville Press Newspaper

Just what is cancer? The very word (cancer) frightens us to the point of death, simply because we don’t understand what it is.

Cancer is a group of related diseases that begin in cells, our body’s basic building blocks. Under normal conditions cells grow and divide to produce more cells that are needed to keep the body healthy. Sometimes this process goes wrong. New cells form when the body does not need them, and old cells do not die when they should. The extra cells form a mass of tissue referred to as a growth or tumor.

Tumors can be malignant or benign. Malignant tumors are cancers. Cells in malignant tumors are abnormal and divide without order or control. These cells invade and destroy the tissue around them. They can break away and enter the bloodstream or lymphatic system, which carry them throughout the body causing new tumors to form in other organs. The spread of cancer is called metastasis.

In April 2006 when my surgeon told me that I had cancer, a numb feeling came over me. I was told that the result of the surgical biopsy was positive for cancer. I was told that my breast and the lymph nodes under my arm should be removed. I was thinking ok, we’ve gotten this in the early stages; I’ll just have the surgery and go from there. I was then referred to an oncologist who proceeded to discuss my case with my husband and me. He told me surgery was not an option. There was no time for surgery and at that point surgery would serve no useful purpose. My cancer had metastasized (spread to other parts of the body).

At that point I began to experience different emotions. I cried, asked myself why me, and became angry. I realized crying wasn’t going to help, and there wasn’t any time for a pity party. I had done everything I was supposed to do in terms of health maintenance. I had even gone beyond the regular suggested medical treatment because I was at a high risk due to my family medical history. My mother is a breast cancer survivor.

When we think of cancer, we have a tendency to think of someone else, the family across the street, someone we don’t know, but never yourself. God loves us all the same, so why not me! I listened to the oncologist explain the plan of treatment for my particular cancer. He told me we had to go with an aggressive treatment plan because I had a very aggressive form of cancer. He went on to explain stage one, stage two and stage three; my heart started to pound because I knew there were only four stages of cancer. I gathered enough courage to ask what stage I was in. The echo of "the fourth and final stage" rang in my head.

As fear sat in, I began saying to myself, I don’t want to die, I want to live. I thought of my family, my husband Johnny, my daughter D’Andrea, my son Ronald, and all the other people I love. I decided in my mind, I’m going to live. A calmness came over me and I remembered Whose I Am and I didn’t have to fight this battle alone. I turned the situation over to the Lord and had faith that He would heal me. Because I am not perfect, there were times I found myself worrying. I would once again turn the situation over to the Lord. After several repeats I was at the point of not worrying anymore.

I then had a positive mindset for the challenge before me and was ready to begin the journey. The date was set for my chemotherapy to begin. However, one day I had difficulty breathing, I knew something was wrong. I went to the doctor only to find I had pneumonia. Needless to say, chemotherapy was delayed for several weeks.

I began chemotherapy treatments May 2006 and had my last treatment August 29, 2006. At that time a scan was done which indicated that I was cancer free. In March 2007 I had the surgery followed by radiation therapy, which I am undergoing at this time.

Overcoming cancer is an individual mindset. If you believe you are defeated, you are. Once you make up your mind you are going to be a survivor, you will be. I am very appreciative to the team at Cape Fear Cancer Center who treated me throughout this journey and continues to monitor my health. I am eternally grateful to each of you for your prayers and all that you did for me.

As we share our experiences, we help others. I am thankful to Mrs. Eunice Dudley, a breast cancer survivor, who spent time with me sharing her experience and all the precautions I should take in order to prevent other health problems and make the journey as comfortable as possible.

To God be the Glory, Great Things He Has Done. When I could see only one set of footprints in the sand, I know it was He who carried me.

If you have any questions for Mrs. Vivian Robinson, feel free to give her a call at (910) 584-0316.