Breast cancer survivor shares story

Cindy Myers has been a team member at Palmetto Health for 17 years. Currently working as an educator in the Operating Room, Cindy never thought she would be on the other side as a patient. In February 2017, she went for her annual screening mammogram. Cindy was fully expecting the results to be normal, but they weren’t and she was called in for additional imaging. She, like others who have received this call, was in complete shock.

Cindy went back to the Palmetto Health Breast Center for more testing and the doctors found a spot. The next day she went in for a biopsy, “which unfortunately was on Valentine’s Day.” On Feb. 15, she found out she had breast cancer. The tumor was small because the doctors caught it early, but cancer is still cancer. “Considering I ended up going through chemotherapy and having three surgeries all within about six months, it was still a wonderful experience, if you can even say that about having cancer. The care I was given by the staff was amazing.”

From her first surgery and round of chemotherapy, it took three months for Cindy’s body to recover. “I had to go back to get a reconstructive procedure done and that was another six weeks of recovery time. Everyone has those rough days, and some days after chemo I felt like I couldn’t even lift my head off my pillow. I remained optimistic and knew that I could get through it.”

“The hardest part about this whole experience for me was initially telling my children my diagnosis, but they showed me such great love and support. It was amazing looking at my kids and thinking they would be the ones who would be feeling defenseless, but they were holding me up and keeping me strong. I couldn’t have gone through all of this without my husband, Moses, and my kids. Having a strong support system really made all the difference.” Cindy said her family, friends, and co-workers were by her side cheering her on every step of the way, even when times were difficult. Throughout her journey, Cindy was treated at Palmetto Health Breast Center and cared for by Harris Parker III, M.D., FACS, Surgical Associates of South Carolina; Richard J. Wassermann, M.D., FACS, Plastic Surgery Consultants; and Scott Sommers, M.D., SC Oncology Associates. “I had wonderful doctors, nurses, CRNAs, surgical technicians and surgeons. My nurse navigator, Tiffany Winslow, was awesome, she knew exactly what to do and how to help keep me calm. It was odd for me to be on the other side. I have had other surgeries before, but it was still a very humbling experience.”

After her last chemo treatment and surgery, Cindy is officially clear of cancer. “I knew I was in the best hands possible, and I never had any questions or concerns. Walking in I knew I was going to receive the same care that any other patient would.”

“I love my job, my co-workers and my patients, and I am so grateful for the wonderful experience I had.”