MEET SUSIE

Susie’s Story

As an athlete, Susie has dedicated her life to developing discipline and durability. She understands what it takes to overcome both mentally and physically challenging situations. Having completed several marathons and triathlons prior to 2016, Susie focused her training for a half Ironman. For weeks, she spent hours running outside in the summer sun. When she discovered a sore on her left nipple, she assumed it was just a case of jogger’s nipple or chafing.

“Sometimes that happens when you run in the heat. I had a regular checkup scheduled in September, so I didn't really think about it; I put some Vaseline on and kept going. When it didn't go away after a few weeks and it started bleeding, I called my doctor, I was told to come in immediately,” shared Susie.

A biopsy and mammogram confirmed what Susie thought to be impossible—she had cancer. Considering herself to be in peak health, she was in total disbelief upon receiving the diagnosis; she was in total disbelief. Susie tested positive for the HER2 gene, a genetic mutation that causes protein cells to multiply at an abnormally aggressive rate. This factor added an extra layer of urgency to her condition, prompting her medical team to act quickly. Once the initial shock wore off, Susie wasted no time and immediately began researching her condition.

“I’m a reference librarian by trade. I was not just going to go Google my symptoms! I went to all the professional websites, and when I talked to Dr. Warr, I brought up this new treatment, and he was like, ‘that’s exactly what we were going to talk about today,’” Susie shared.

Dr. Warr at the Great Falls Clinic Cancer Center collaborated closely with Susie to create a personalized treatment plan tailored to her specific needs. Typically, when a person goes through cancer treatment, it involves surgery followed by a period of chemotherapy. However, at that time, a new drug was introduced in research-based clinics, which made Susie an ideal candidate. The treatment plan was unconventional in the sense that Susie would undergo six rounds of chemotherapy before having surgery to remove the tumors. This approach has proven effective for patients with diagnoses similar to Susie’s.

“The first two chemo weeks were bad, and I was [sick] all the time. There were times when I felt like I was doing poorly and wasn’t being strong, but the nurses were so great, they reassured me by telling me, 'You’re doing just fine. It’s all fine because this is your journey.’ The nurses and doctors really listened to me, making me feel heard,” Susie shared.

Outside of the hospital, Susie tried to keep her life as normal as possible. Despite everything, she competed in the Half-Ironman during the summer of 2016 and even continued to work part-time at the Great Falls Public Library. She was able to use sick time to attend her chemotherapy appointments and when she was feeling too weak to work.

“I had a really supportive work environment. They were good about meeting me where I was and taking care of me. I had an easier time than some other people with cancer because I had a job that had health insurance. I was able to use paid time off and do what I needed to do. I was very lucky to have that, and I continue to be grateful for it every day,” shared Susie.

Susie knows firsthand how tough it can be to not receive the help you may need during a health crisis. When she was in her twenties, Susie struggled with her mental health and was hospitalized. She found that while both instances were medical emergencies, she received very different treatment when she was diagnosed with cancer than when she was experiencing a mental health crisis.

“I sort of really died back then, when I was twenty. I was severely depressed; there was a lot of external blame and shame, like there was something wrong, and it was my fault. But then, when I had cancer, I was seen as this big hero. I continued to be struck by how supportive people are when you have cancer. I wish that we could be supportive like that to everyone who's having issues,” Susie said.

After a life-altering experience at a young age, Susie felt it was crucial to build a strong community of people she could rely on. Susie recalls the gratitude she felt when people from all corners of her life came together to comfort her during her battle with cancer. She received cards from children at the elementary school where she volunteered, her friends set up a schedule to ensure that she had someone visit her every day when she was home, and she always had a loved one by her side when she was receiving treatment at the Great Falls Clinic Cancer Center.

“I had a tremendous community and family support. My only jobs were brushing my teeth and eating. I have a fantastic family, so I wasn't surprised, but I was, and continue to be, very grateful for all the support. One thing that cancer made clear to me is that people love me even when all I'm doing is sitting on the couch," Susie shared.

With an army of supporters behind her, she successfully completed chemotherapy and began to prepare for surgery. Susie learned that a lumpectomy was not an option for her, and she would need a mastectomy to remove the tumors in her left breast.

“Because I’m an athlete, I decided to have a double mastectomy. The idea of having [an asymmetrical chest] felt weird and difficult. After talking to some people who chose reconstruction after surgery, I didn’t feel like that was for me,” shared Susie.

Post-op, Susie worked to rebuild her strength. She and her sister would take walks together every day, and eventually, Susie was able to run again. She quickly realized that her new body would take a little time to get used to. Thankfully, she was able to remain positive and persevere through any negativity.

“Pre-cancer body and post-cancer body are completely different. I get some looks, and people can tell I don’t have any breasts,” Susie shared. “But [I remind myself], this is my body, and I try to love the body that I have. Women's bodies come in a variety of shapes and sizes. It doesn't matter what they look like.”

After surgery, Susie was monitored with regular checkups in hopes of catching any exacerbating signs of disease; thankfully, there were none, and Susie has been in remission for nine years. The memories of her experience have faded, but the fear of a relapse still lingers.

“I barely remember how it felt or how I felt, but I still think about it,” Susie confesses. “I try not to, but sometimes when I get a weird pain, it's just natural that [your mind] goes straight to ‘oh no, is this cancer again?’ For the most part, it doesn’t come up very often. I feel like there are times when it feels like it was a different person that had [cancer].”

Since her recovery, Susie has continued to push herself as an athlete, competing in a half-ironman in 2018 and maintaining a regular training regimen. She emphasized the importance of staying active and in tune with her health. Susie credits much of her strength to her husband and daughter, who stood by her side throughout her illness. Today, Susie continues to be a voice for those experiencing any medical hardship, providing words of encouragement to anyone who needs them.

“No matter what you are facing with a health care journey, you deserve dignity and respect. Even if it's a mental health issue or another type of health emergency, we're all heroes in what we go through.”