“I am no stranger to challenges.”
In the years leading up to her breast cancer diagnosis, Sue Quackenbush of Chester County had faced the unimaginable. She lost both of her sons tragically – her oldest son Eric in 2015 to suicide and, 10 months later, her youngest son Michael who was serving as a Marine.
As a Gold Star Mother, Sue supports and advocates for other mothers whose children have made the ultimate sacrifice, ensuring they know they are not alone. But she says alone is exactly how she felt when she first heard the news. Sue found a lump and her fears were confirmed after a visit to the breast surgeon. While her cancer was aggressive, it was found at an early stage. Sue learned that she would need a lumpectomy, chemotherapy and radiation… and she would need to be out of work for 6 months.
“I was so very scared. I have no family history of breast cancer and although I was sick, the chemo and radiation went well.”
PA Breast Cancer Coalition Director of Patient Advocacy Dolores Magro was able to send Sue financial resources as well as information on opens in a new windowPennsylvania’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Program (BCCPT) to assist while she went without insurance. She also received a free opens in a new windowFriends Like Me care package.
Sue’s main support system was in another state, so she drove herself to treatment, got groceries and did daily chores herself. Despite the difficulties of undergoing treatment without a caregiver, Sue says she did find many positives among the challenges.
“I was able, albeit bald, to still play Mrs. Claus for the children at Christmas. They didn’t care that I was bald!”
Sue gratefully wears her Mrs. Claus costume every year for a special Night Before Christmas cookies and storytime event in Pottstown. In between treatments, Sue was also able to see her friends from New Jersey, allowing her to feel a little more like herself with each visit. She considers her cancer journey over, but shares advice she gathered along the way with the hope of helping other women facing this fight:
- Most importantly, trust the experts!
- List to your body – it will guide you
- Don’t forget to smile when you can
- Push yourself to go for a walk on good days
- Opt for resources that provide mental health and wellness support – the fresh vegetables I received from one program were a wonderful treat and I learned how to prepare some new ones!
- If you pray, pray without ceasing