Survivor Stories

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Connie Dunklebarger
York, PA

Connie Dunklebarger was a music teacher in the public schools from 1974 until her retirement this year from Spring Grove school district. She continues to serve as director of three choirs at her church.

Connie and her husband, Ed, have three children, Joshua, 25, Ashley, 22 and Skylar, 17. Ed is President/CEO of Community Banks Corporation which is headquartered in Harrisburg.

How did you react to the diagnosis?
     Oh my goodness, with total shock. My breast cancer was found through a regular annual mammogram. I don't even remember driving home from the doctor's office. My brother passed away from colon cancer in 1990, so I thought the worst. What would my kids do without me? What would the coming months bring? Had it spread? You become very fearful.

What was the treatment?
     The first surgery did not have clear margins. The 10 days between the first and second surgeries were the longest 10 days of my life. After the second surgery, Dr. Tom Bauer, said, "We have good news! Clear margins. Now we know what your journey will be."
     My journey started with early detection. Then I went to 37 rounds of radiation with no chemo. I was not in school teaching because I felt that I had to have 110% attention to those students. I needed to be focused with the job and the students in the forefront so although I could have worked, I didn't. I went back to teaching in November and directed my Christmas concert. The kids were unbelievably gracious. Most people assume that 7th and 8th graders can't be gracious but believe me . . . they can be.

What kind of support did you receive?
     My biggest supporter was my husband Ed. He made my situation priority number one. My pastors, Paul and Sally Gausman at my church, St. Paul Lutheran in York, asked if I wanted to be anointed in a healing service. I accepted the offer, and I believe God took over at that point and got me through it. He saw fit to create a healing miracle in me. It gave me strength and quietness in my heart and for that I'll be forever worshipful and grateful.

How did breast cancer change you?
     My breast cancer brought me closer to my God. Things have come to be good. Real good.

What would you like others to learn from your story?
     You'd be surprised that there are all kinds of people to support you. You're not alone. I value the medical profession and the researchers striving to cure this disease. People need to be generous with their time and money to do what's necessary to continue the research!
      I value every day. Ed and I have known one another since 7th grade, but we never dated in high school. As a faculty member at Spring Grove, where Skylar is class president, I can attend the prom. So I invited Ed and we had our picture taken there. After 29 years of marriage, Eddie and I finally got to go to the prom.

To profile someone in “Survivor Spotlight”, email Heather Hibshman at heather@pabreastcancer.org.

Rosemary Wargula
Aliquippa, PA

Rosemary Wargula is an R.N. working as a Line Information Nurse for Intracorp in Pittsburgh. She and her husband Ed have three children, Michael, 26, Stacey, 32, and Chip, 34. Ed is retired and previously owned Hopewell Beverage in Hopewell, PA.

How was your breast cancer diagnosed?
     I found the lump myself around Thanksgiving of 2004. On December 21st I learned the results of the biopsy. In the interim, I read about a new test in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette. The headline was "New Breast Cancer Test Shows Promise." The article said that the test, Oncotype DX T, could spare women from unnecessary chemo.
     I brought the article with me to my appointment with the oncologist. According to the article, I fit the criteria for the Oncotype DX test. Women in stage 1 or 2 who are lymph node negative and estrogen receptor positive may have a low risk of recurrence.
     Since it was a new test, there was a concern that my insurance wouldn't cover it. I was determined to be tested and agreed to pay for it myself if necessary. Ten days later, the oncologist called to say the results were in and we could forego the chemotherapy. That's the best news I heard all year! And CIGNA Insurance paid for it after all!
     Later when I met with the radiation oncologist, he said I opened the door for other women, because the medical center was now going to offer the test to all women who fit the criteria.

How did you react to the diagnosis?
     At first, a feeling of my own mortality washed over me. As a nurse, I've always been the strong one taking care of others. This was role reversal. I feel I have a mission, a responsibility, an obligation to let other women know this test is available. I want the opportunity to give hope to all those women. If they need chemo, that's different. But if it is not going to benefit them, I want to reach them with this news.

What do you hope other women will learn from your story?
     I am always meeting women who are going through breast cancer, and it's an amazing sisterhood. One out of every three people I meet has a mother or a sister or a friend with breast cancer. My advice is to write down questions for your doctor and bring someone with you on appointments. When you're sitting in the exam room with that gown on, you go deaf. You must concentrate on what the doctor says.

How has all this changed you?
     I started writing in a journal during treatment, and it was very therapeutic. Those writings are now becoming a book called "You Don't Have to Suffer." I always wanted to write like Erma Bombeck, which now seems ironic since she had breast cancer. This was not that difficult a journey. I even had fun at radiation treatment. I remember saying, "If we're going to be using lasers, let's play some Pink Floyd!" Humor, positive attitude and prayer are the things that will get you through.

To profile someone in “Survivor Spotlight”, email Heather Hibshman at heather@pabreastcancer.org.