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Our friend, Sharon Hanby-Robie, hasn't been on Q lately.  Why?  Because a few months ago she was diagnosed with breast cancer!  I am so happy to say she whooped its booty and is coming back to the Q this month.  Learn about this brave and amazingly strong woman's journey in the first edition of my Blog Series: "Breast Cancer Survivors:  The Power of Sharing". 

Sharon’s Story

Q: What type of breast cancer, and at what stage were you diagnosed?

A: Diagnosed in March. Although only Stage 1, my mammo-Print which dissected the genomes of my cancer cells showed that I had a very vicious form of breast cancer. AM I cancer free? Good question. The tumor was removed. The chemo was to kill cancer cells floating within my body. And on-going drug therapy will be used to continue working to destroy any new or leftover cells.  For me, yes, I am believing that I am healed.

Q: Do you have a history of cancer in your family?

A: I survived uterine and cervical cancer at age 28. I am now 62. My father died of Multiple myeloma- bone cancer. There is no history of breast cancer in my family.

Q: How old were you when you were diagnosed?

A: 62

Q: How was your cancer detected?

A: Mammogram. One year I was fine and the next I was not. I have very dense breasts and never had children, both of those increased my chances for breast cancer.

Q: What treatment program did you have?

A: I had a state of the art Mastectomy in which I was able to keep my skin and my nipple. I then had Chemotherapy: Cytoxan and Taxotere - I managed three out of 4 treatments.

Q: Did you seek a second opinion?

A:  Of course. The first surgeon suggested just a lumpectomy and radiation. If I had followed that route, I would not have had the advantage of the new advanced diagnotic test of  Mammo-Print/Genetic testing and would not have known how vicious my particular cancer was and, therefore, would not have had chemotherapy.  Knowing the specific genomes determined that without chemo and ongoing drug therapy, I had a 30% chance of recurrence within five years.  With chemo and drug therapy, my percentage drops to 8%.

Q: Are you currently on medication?

A: I will be taking tamoxifen for many years. My doctor has also prescribed DIM (3,3'-diindolylmethane) Diindolylmethane (DIM) is a metabolite of Indole-3-carbinol (I3C), a compound found in cruciferous vegetables including broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower. It is the most studied of all I3C metabolites and is thought to be superior to IC3 as a chemoprotective compound for breast cancer and prostate cancer (3). DIM demonstrated anti-proliferative effects in animal and cancer cell models through various mechanisms.
In contrast to I3C which has been used in over a dozen clinical trials, few studies have been published using DIM. In one study, daily supplementation with DIM led to changes in estrogen metabolism in post- menopausal women with a history of early stage breast cancer (4); DIM supplementation, did not, however, have any effects in women with cervical cell abnormalities (13). In addition, my doctor is putting me on a very concentrated form of Ginseng and Pomegranate. I am also taking concentrated forms of carrots, barley and beets.

Q: What surgeries do you have left?

A: I had my final reconstruction surgery Sept. 30 to replace the expander in my breast with solid silicone gel implants. These CANNOT leak because the gel is in a solid form. Even if you cut it with a knife, it cannot leak. My doctor believes they will last the rest of my life.

Q: What was it like losing your hair?

A: I have three dear friends who had lost theirs during chemotherapy, and they were such an inspiration to me that losing my hair was the worst thing. I cried the day it started to fall out and then made the decision to shave my head.  The real issue is how chemo affects all your skin including your scalp. Dry and extremely sensitive makes it hard to even where a scarf yet alone a wig for long periods of time. The heat of summer also made it difficult because it was like wearing a hat in Summer -- HOT and sweaty.  

Q: What did you do about it? (Wig, scarf, au natural?)

A: Most of the time, I have gone au natural -- better known as bald. I am ready for it to start growing but admit that getting dressed in the morning requires much less time, and I have saved a ton on color and cuts!

Q: What helped you get through your journey?

A: My faith, My husband, My family, My friends - and an army of prayer warriors. I have been so blessed and so well cared for by so many. I can never thank them enough.
As a previous cancer survivor, I will say that this was emotionally easier than cervical and uterine cancer because those made it impossible to have children.  Breast cancer is scary in that it can show up later in any organ at any time. But emotionally losing a breast is not the worst thing in the world. Besides, I am getting a boob job from this:  something that I would never have done otherwise!

Q: What did you need most from your family, friends and co-workers?

A: At the worst of times, I just needed someone to be here and sit with me. Some days I was so tired and just getting up to get a glass of water was too much. Having someone go with me to chemo was wonderful and helped pass the long hours. My dear friend Patty came each morning the first weeks to change my dressings. My husband just couldn't handle this one. Of course eating is always an issue with chemo. I could not stand the smell of food cooking nor could I handle warm food. I only wanted cold things like chicken or tuna salad. My dear friends provided whatever my food choice of the moment happened to be.

Q: How are you doing today?

A:  I am doing very well.

Q: How has having breast cancer changed you?

A: I know from experience, that each challenge we face prepares you for something important in life. I have been able in the past to help others going through cancer and know that I will again.
I have learned so much from this experience and have been so blessed with the most amazing doctors, that I want to encourage and educate others about breast cancer, chemotherapy and all the options that are available. I have learned how enduring is sometimes all that we can expect at the moment. But enduring also is such an important part of growth. The Israelite's endured the desert in order to prepare them for the Promised Land. So, too, for me. I know there is a Promised Land blessing coming from this.

Q: What is your best advice and encouragement for someone newly diagnosed?

A: Breathe. You do not have to RUSH.  Take your time and get second or even third opinion until you feel you know all you need to know and have found the doctor/doctors and protocol that you trust.  Once you make your decision, you will have peace of mind. Secondly, allow yourself to be cared for and do not feel guilty about anything. You will get through this. I am here and am willing to "take your hand and walk you through this journey".

Q: Is there anything else you would like to add?

A: This is a season and like all seasons, this too will pass. I am putting together a resource list for chemotherapy patients. It is something I wish I had had. I was fortunate that a friend who walked this journey two years ago provided me with some of this information, but much of it I had to research and locate myself. For example, I was able to keep my eyebrows and lashes by using a product developed specifically for chemo patients. Another example is: I now have a cataract as a result of chemo. No one warned me this could happen. There are so many examples like this that I want to share and help others as they embark on their chemo.

Q: When are you back on air?

A: I report the first week of October and have a TSV on Oct. 25. YAY!!!

Q: What's the link to your blog?

A: Go to my website and simply click on the BLOG link at the top of the page: www.sharonhanbyrobie.com