A Patient Story – Patricia

Patricia grew up in the foothills of Seymour, Tennessee where she jokingly shared that she was in the top 10 or her small (50 student) high school graduating class. In 1985, she married her husband Jim who was a soldier for over 40 years serving in active duty stateside and in Iraq. Pat and Jim are proud parents of twin daughters and grandparents to a set of 9-month-old boy and girl twins and a 2-year-old granddaughter. Mrs. Reed describes her family as very close and supportive.

In 2014, as she was preparing for the weddings of both of her twin daughters, Mrs. Reed was diagnosed with stage 1 colon cancer. Needless to say, it was a very overwhelming season. Her doctors recommended that she undergo Genetic testing – but there were no findings. Then four years later, she received a letter revealing the discovery of an ATM mutation. The two genes designed to protect from cancers were mutated which put Pat at a higher risk of breast, pancreatic, and colon cancer.

Initially, she ignored the letter. But then, Pat decided to take action. Upon completing her mammogram, Dr. Gayle Roulier, a Women’s Imaging Radiologist with Vista Radiology, PC, discovered Pat had stage 1 breast cancer. Pat was shocked when she heard the word cancer once again. “Dr. Roulier talked me off a cliff. I felt better after leaving her office.” she shared. She continued, “The doctors love you through it all – you feel their care.” Pat underwent a lumpectomy followed by radiation treatments.

Following her diagnosis, Pat leaned heavily on her close-knit family as well as her church community. “A lot of church members prayed for me. I had many friends who had faced cancer and they shared with me what to expect.” Pat explained. “When I feel nervous, I pray. I know the Lord has a reason for keeping me here. That gives me more peace – knowing He is beside me, behind me, and before me,” she emotionally shared. Pat admitted she was thankful that she did not ignore the revised genetic test findings. She has a fantastic prognosis following her treatments and will adhere to a rotation of MRI/Mammograms every six months to monitor her health.

During one of her recent treatments, Mrs. Reed was on an elevator where she had an opportunity to encourage a fellow cancer patient. She overheard sobbing behind her after another person in the elevator had said disparaging things about chemo. When the elevator cleared, she offered encouragement to the woman. “Imagine soldiers in your mind, as chemotheraphy is going into your body – welcome the treatments as they fight for you,” she told the woman. Pat continued, “That was the analogy I used to encourage her. I often think of my husband and his years as a solider. We can turn our battle with cancer into a positive. It’s really all about your attitude.”

In her spare time, Pat enjoys a number of hobbies including quilting, knitting, crocheting and making hand-made lotions. One of her favorite past-times is making crochet toys for her grandchildren as well as hand-made lotions for family or close friends. In fact, she often brings a gift to her treatments. “I enjoy showing appreciation to the medical staff,” she explained.

As Pat finishes her final treatments in the coming weeks, she continues to encourage other women. With a warm smile and a heart of encouragement she looks on, “Hey girl, we’re in this together.”

Go to Top