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- Joella Collins, husband Rick, and grandchildren Janson, 7, and Alexis, 8. (Photo Provided)
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- Shawn Fahey was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010. (Photo Provided)
Joella Collins, husband Rick, and grandchildren Janson, 7, and Alexis, 8. (Photo Provided)
PARKERSBURG — Breast Cancer Awareness Month had special meaning for two local survivors.
Shawn Fahey of Mineral Wells and Joella Collins from Elizabeth were both diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010.
Collins also was diagnosed with cervical and ovarian cancer in 1997. Collins underwent a hysterectomy, lumpectomy and double mastectomy.
Collins was diagnosed again with breast cancer in June, triple positive, underwent surgery in August and started chemo in October.
“I have had surgeries and radiation and I am doing chemo now,” Collins said.
Shawn Fahey was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010. (Photo Provided)
Collins said she is having a difficult time. She and her husband Rick also are raising two grandchildren, Janson, 7, and Alexis, 8.
“So much pain and the chemo kills everything,” she said. “I worry about my job, bills, insurance etc., but I adopted my two grandkids who are 7 and 8 and they need me.”
A positive attitude is important, Collins said.
“I have to stay positive and keep telling myself I can bear it a third time,” Collins said.
“I have a great support system this time around,” she said. “I have always helped others and now they are helping me and it is appreciated so much.”
Her message of hope for other women is “you can do this.”
“We are stronger than we think,” she said. “Also there are support systems there.”
The American Cancer Society and health providers offer help, too, she said.
“They offer resources to contact and also hair covers and wigs if needed,” Collins said. “Stop in and see them and you will be surprised at the help you can get.”
A spaghetti dinner benefit will be held for Collins to help with medical bills from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 2 at the Mineral Wells Baptist Church. Minimum suggested donation is $10.
For more information, call Aimee Workman at 304-615-0371, Tammy Burton at 304-482-0538 or Kristi Wilson at 304-488-3078.
The 13th anniversary of Fahey’s diagnosis will be on Nov. 30. Fahey, who was 42 then, has undergone chemotherapy, a radical left mastectomy, tissue expander, eight rounds of AC-T chemo and ovary removal. She had two reconstruction surgeries, of which the plastic surgeon was a perfectionist, and the area of the areola was tattooed.
“I took Amidex for five years, then Tamoxifen,” Fahey said.
She got a lot of help from friends and family.
“The incredible support of my partner and thinking of my mom up in Heaven,” she said. “I was like ‘Heck no. I am going to kick this cancer to the curb.’”
Her message of hope is no one is alone in the battle to be faced. The American Cancer Society is a valuable resource, according to Fahey.
“When I was in South Carolina and first diagnosed, they were a great source of help,” she said. “I was able to get a second wig from them at no cost because insurance would only cover one.”
She also benefited from its Look Good Feel Good program, tips on skin care, make-up and wearing a wig.
“Attitude is everything,” Fahey said.
Friends and family were a tremendous part in saving her life, she said.
“Kyle, of course my partner of 33 years now, and too many others to list,” Fahey said. “The outpouring of generosity was beyond measure.”
Jess Mancini can be reached at jmancini@newsandsentinel.com.
