Amber Robertson has helped raise funds for the American Cancer Society for six years as a Relay for Life volunteer. The certified family nurse practitioner never foresaw, however, that she would become a patient herself. No one does.
The diagnosis of breast cancer came in August of 2015. Only three months later, Amber’s mother, Cindy Robertson, was diagnosed as well. Daughter and mother faced a stark new reality together. Even in the midst of it, “there was a part of me that was glad my daughter didn’t have to go through it by herself,” Cindy said. “Now I know how she feels.”
“I never thought that all of my fundraising efforts would be something that would personally affect me and my family,” said Amber, who grew up in Columbus and currently resides in Starkville. The 33-year-old works with Mississippi State University’s Longest Health Center. Cindy, also a family nurse practitioner, lives in Columbus and works with the North Mississippi Medical Center Lowndes Medical Clinic.
Fortunately, the Robertsons have hopeful news to celebrate. Amber has almost completed her current regimen of treatment. She was declared cancer-free on Feb. 17. Cindy’s breast cancer was detected very early, thanks to genetic testing and an MRI. She is undergoing hormone treatment. For both women, Relay for Life has never seemed so personal.
Why Relay?
Spring signals the start up of Relay for Life events in the Golden Triangle and more than 5,000 other communities in the U.S. and around the world. They are the American Cancer Society’s (ACS) signature fundraisers for research and improving survival rates and quality of life for those affected.
“Relay is so very, very important,” said Amber, who captains the Health Center’s team for MSU’s Relay April 22 on campus.
While the majority of Relay funds raised are targeted to research, ACS also administers programs that aid patients and caregivers.
“They’re out in the community doing awareness, giving support, offering screenings,” Amber pointed out.
Advances through cancer research are very real to the Robertsons. Amber’s grandmother — Cindy’s mother — was diagnosed in her 30s, more than 50 years ago. Her successful but intensely rigorous treatment included radical surgery and 60 rounds of radiation.
“But today, they can do a bilateral mastectomy and only a certain number of lymph nodes might need be removed, and they can give you targeted types of drugs and limited exposure to radiation,” said Amber. “Because of research, much of it by the ACS, they have been able to change the way they’re treating cancer — and these are fantastic changes.”
One advance has been in genetic testing. Amber’s diagnosis at such a young age, plus the family history of breast cancer, compelled Cindy to get tested for the genetic mutation that shows an increased likelihood of developing cancer. It was positive. Amber’s was, too. Along with regular mammograms, Mother and daughter are now staunch believers in testing.
“I’m a firm pusher of asking women that if you have a family history of breast cancer, or any kind of cancer for that matter, please ask your doctor about genetic testing,” she said. “It’s going to be the wave of the future, I hope.”
It has influenced the way they practice, the nurse practitioners say.
“That’s the message we’ve been trying to spread — pay attention to your history because there is such good genetic testing now,” Amber added.
Rough days
Navigating cancer requires a storehouse of physical, emotional and spiritual fortitude. Amber talked about one high hurdle she faced, one often traumatic for patients — losing her hair.
Amber knew her long, dark hair would go; she decided to be proactive. Two weeks before her first chemotherapy treatment, she had it cut into a short bob and donated more than eight inches to Pantene Beautiful Lengths, which makes wigs for the ACS Wig Bank.
“And that’s another huge reason to support Relay for Life,” she said.
Two weeks and four days after chemo began, Amber found clumps of hair on her pillow. Her parents raised her to be tough, but nothing could have prepared her for when the hair actually began to come out, she admitted. With help from her boyfriend, now fiance, she got proactive again.
“He took me to get it buzzed off; that was very therapeutic for me,” Amber shared. “I could not control what was happening, but I could keep my hair from continuing to fall out in handfuls.”
Most cancer patients want to keep their lives as normal as possible, so when signs of normal — such as hair and eyelashes — are taken away, facing the world becomes harder to deal with. It helps to focus on why treatment is important.
“Now that my hair and lashes are growing back, it seems like so long ago that I was so sad about losing them,” said Amber, who leans heavily on her faith. “It’s just a testament that the bad days will come, but they can also go, and the good days are treasured that much more. … God has given me a new appreciation for life.”
Get inspired
Since their diagnoses, Amber and Cindy have encountered some inspiring people they call “amazing cancer surviving warriors.”
“My advice to anyone facing cancer would be to talk to someone who knows where you are in your own journey — they have walked your path,” Amber said.
Not the least of those warriors is Cindy’s mother, a cancer survivor now in her 80s. She represents “a picture of hope” for both her daughter and granddaughter.
The Robertsons’ hope is that sharing part of their story encourages others to support Relay for Life. They particularly hope it may help someone else facing cancer.
“If one person gets their overdue mammogram, asks questions about their family history, or has a little more hope for whatever they are facing,” Amber said, “then our story is a success.”
Golden Triangle Relay for Life dates
■ MSU – April 22
■ Lowndes County – April 30
■ Clay County – May 13
■ Oktibbeha County – Aug. 5
Visit relay.acsevents.org for information, or call 662-844-8544. Watch for a Lowndes Relay for Life program in The Dispatch April 27.
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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