Positive outlook, faith help resident overcome disease
SAXONBURG — “Everybody's path is different,” said Beth Neese.
She is single, works full time and is the mother of two young women. She also is a breast cancer survivor.
When she started participating in the Butler Breast Cancer and Women's Cancer Support Group, she met others whose options and choices for medications, chemotherapy, radiation, surgery and breast reconstruction were different from her own.
“That has been such a wealth of information for me,” Neese said.
Through the group, and from her own experiences, she discovered there are variations in breast cancer treatment side effects and complications.
“I think God gives the toughest tasks to his strongest soldiers,” Neese said. “I have to remind myself that he gives it to those that can handle it.”
Neese of Saxonburg was diagnosed with breast cancer on April 24, 2014. She was 46.
An annual mammogram that raised questions led to a digital mammogram and a sonogram the same day.
It was one year and two days since her previous mammogram. Testing continued the next day with a needle biopsy.
Two days later, Neese learned she had breast cancer.
“I was hysterical,” Neese said. “I couldn't drive home.”
In the days following, Neese chose an oncologist and surgeon in Pittsburgh. When more tests were done, two spots that appeared to be cancerous were discovered in her lungs.
Doctors decided to monitor them. Fortunately, the spots in her lungs have not changed in 18 months.In late May 2014, Neese started chemotherapy.“My tumor was too large to remove,” Neese said. “I needed to have chemo before surgery to shrink it.”The day after her first chemotherapy treatment, her brother shaved her head. Some people in her life were shocked at that but she told them, “This is the only thing I have control over.”Things didn't go as expected during chemotherapy. Her white blood cell count dropped, she developed a fever, her chemotherapy cocktail of drugs and other medications was changed, allergic reactions brought on itching and the timing of medications was altered.Her parents were with her through her trials.“No matter what it was, they were there with me,” Neese said.“I could not have done it without the support of my family and friends. They've been fantastic,” she said.After just eight of the planned 16 doses, her doctors stopped the chemotherapy.Although the tumor hadn't disappeared, it was smaller and she was able to have a mastectomy to remove the breast with the tumor. Neese was eager to finish her treatment.The side effects of chemotherapy are difficult. Running to doctor visits, treatments, follow-up blood tests and other tests wears a person down.Nevertheless, during chemotherapy Neese continued her job as an asset recovery specialist for Zoll LifeVest.After surgery, she took off four months.The break allowed some recuperation and gave her more time to rest while she had 33 radiation treatments. The treatments were five days a week.“I have had a positive outlook that has helped me,” Neese said.Even though insurance covered many of her expenses, her $30 copays added up quickly.Fortunately, motorcyclists stepped in to help Neese through the Butler nonprofit organization Riding for the Cure.“They helped me since I was off work,” Neese said.
Her older daughter also helped with expenses when she cut back her college courses to work more.Finally, after nearly eight months, doctors deemed Neese cancer free on Feb. 11, 2015.“Having a breast is not that important to me. I needed to get back to life,” Neese said.But before long, another unexpected surgery loomed. For Neese, the hormone estrogen could promote growth of a cancerous tumor. Unfortunately, she didn't tolerate the drugs designed to lower her estrogen levels and a hysterectomy was the only alternative.When Neese found out, she said, “We've got to do what we've got to do.”In July, she had surgery again and had another five weeks away from her job.“My church family, coworkers, friends and family, they keep me going. I feel that God put the right people in the right place for me when I needed it most,” she said.Neese is planning one more surgery as a precaution. In December, she will have her other breast removed.“I'm afraid. I know I can still get breast cancer again,” Neese said. “This can lessen my chances so much. With my track record, I don't want to do it again.”Neese's family did not have a history of breast cancer.Nevertheless, to ease her mind about her daughters' risk of breast cancer, she had genetic testing. The results show she did not inherit the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations linked to breast and ovarian cancer.Knowing that, her daughters won't have to worry as much about getting breast cancer.Neese said her life has changed a lot since learning she had cancer.“I'm tired all the time,” Neese said.“I miss me,” she said. “I miss being able to go to do the things I want to.”“It definitely changed my outlook, even with my kids,” Neese said.
She noted her family is more affectionate than before.Despite the difficulties, she's had fun in her journey, too.“I laughed about it a lot in general,” Neese said.One bright spot came about because of the support group and the annual Breast Cancer and Women's Health Fair at Clearview Mall.“They asked me if I would work with Creative Hair Solutions to walk through the tables modeling wigs,” Neese said.She and her parents decided to help. Three pink wigs were among the wigs available.“We walked around modeling them. My dad was a character. We put the real short one on him,” she said.Neese tells others to get their mammograms.“Don't just think you will find it on your own,” she said.Neese looked around before she chose a medical team for treatment and surgery. She wanted to feel comfortable with them.“You have to trust your doctor and if you don't, get a second opinion,” Neese advised.She also encourages those with breast cancer to stay positive.This month her upbeat attitude will be apparent around the clock. Part of her own hair will be pink.“Being miserable isn't getting anyone anywhere,” she said.Neese's experience with breast cancer magnified her faith in God, and she appreciates every day to the fullest.“I don't know how people can go through something like this without having faith,” Neese said.“I've been through hell but I'm still smiling.“God's not done with me yet,” she said. “If he's going to keep putting me through this, I'm going to keep fighting.”
