BY JORDAN TROUTMAN jtroutman@cherryroad.com
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death among women, but over the years, more and more women are fighting and surviving the disease.
Gayle Daniels, a 64-year-old woman living in Exeter, was first diagnosed in February 2014 — with no family history of the disease.
“I would do self-breast exams at night before bed, and I had regular mammograms,” she said. “In fact, I had my yearly mammogram just 6 months before, and it came back fine. Six months later, I felt something in the top left breast.”
Daniels called to schedule another mammogram, but her insurance refused to pay for it.
“I got the mammogram, then they did a sonogram, and it was ugly,” she said. “It was a white mass with black spots, and it was large. I went in for a biopsy with an ecologist in Joplin, who then recommended me to a surgeon.
“I had Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma Stage 3.”
Daniels said that means it comes from the milk ducts.
“He said this was the fastest-growing kind,” she said. “I was really scared. He left the room so my husband and I could be alone for a minute. I just lowered my head down and prayed.
“The Lord said, ‘Everything will be fine.’”
Daniels chose Dr. Walter Dandridge, who specialized in breast cancer.
“I spent a lot of time with him, and we came up with a plan,” she said. “Before the surgery, my kids all came in and held my hands, and we prayed. When they had to leave, Dr. Dandridge came in and held my hand and prayed.”
Daniels had genetic testing done to evaluate the risk of cancer.
“It showed that I had a 0 percent chance that I would ever have cancer,” she said. “It also showed there was no chance I would genetically pass it to my daughters.
“Because of that, I didn’t have to have chemo. I had 35 rounds of radiation.”
Daniels said she made a lot of friends during radiation.
“The clinic said they could always tell when I showed up because it went from being quiet to being full of talking and laughter,” she said. “They asked me to talk to new patients who came in to help them.”
Daniels’ daughter, Lisa Roark, is a doctor in Cassville.
“She recommended this butt cream to use on my skin for the radiation burns,” she said. “That saved me so much with the burns. I told everyone about that butt cream. I had a jar in my purse and would show everyone in the radiation clinic. I used it every day until the burns were gone.”
The cream Dr. Roark suggested was Triple Paste Diaper Rash Cream, hypoallergenic medicated ointment for babies.
“My kids were so supportive,” Daniels said. “I feel guilty at times because I sailed through it. My appointments were at 3 p.m., so I would work up to the appointment, then go home and clean the area, then go to the clinic.
“I felt the whole time that I had the Lord at my side. And my husband, he was always supportive and by my side.”
Daniels had surgery on May 16, 2014.
“They took two milk ducts and the tumor out,” she said.
They also removed the center lymph nodes under my armpit.
“When they tell you that it is stage 3 cancer — that it is the fastest growing cancer — you get scared. I always say it was the power of prayer that calmed me through everything.” Daniels said she felt the Lord say, “No, you have more work to do.”
“There were so many people in the radiation clinic that were so much more sick than I was,” she said. “I took medication for 5 years. It was a male hormone; I was happy the day they said I didn’t have to take it anymore.
“The most rewarding part is to be able to talk to other people in the radiation clinic and help them through it.”
Daniels said in life, things are only as bad as you make them. “When I first felt the lump I was scared,” she said. “I waited a week to make an appointment with the doctor. Two weeks later, they did a biopsy, and I got the results within that week.
“Getting that diagnosis is devastating. I had a mammogram in Cassville, then they sent me across the hall to get a sonogram. When they showed it to me, I said, ‘It’s not good.’”
The doctor told Daniels, “No, it’s not good. I can’t diagnose you, but we will send you to someone who can.”
“I would tell women to get on it,” she said. “Do the self-exams, get your mammograms and go after it.”
Daniels said other women told her she had a great outlook.
“I had every one of them using that butt cream,” she said. “The radiation burns are so bad. Sometimes, people have to stop treatment because they are so bad.”
Daniels said her doctor said I can remove your breast, or I can do a lumpectomy.
“I asked him, ‘If I was your daughter, what would you recommend?’” she said. “He said he could get to with a lumpectomy, so I said, let’s do it.”
Daniels said her doctor told her that attitude is a huge part in healing.
“I get a yearly 3D mammogram and blood work,” she said. “For five years after you complete all of the treatments, you are still susceptible, so I was officially cancer free in 2019.
“I don’t know if I would have made it through this as easily without my husband, kids and grandkids. I have always prayed that I could see my grandkids grow up.”
