Our Maine Street's Aroostook Issue 14 : Fall 2012 | Page 22

Pink Aroostook Breast Cancer Support Group Provides Support for Local Women by Tamra Kilcollins Community Relations Coordinator, Cary Medical Center Above: Bethany Zell and Georgann Carter On April 4th, 2011, a breast biopsy done by her physician confirmed what earlier CT and MRI testing had indicated; that the mass detected on one side of her left breast was cancer. Her surgeon performed a lumpectomy on April 19th, and one month later her journey to fight and beat the cancer continued, first with chemotherapy and then radiation treatments. Her primary care physician began referring to her as the “miracle patient” because the cancer was discovered while she was being tested for an unrelated illness. On November 23, the day before Thanksgiving, her oncologist gave her the wonderful news that the surgery and treatment regimen had worked, and she was cancer free. These important dates come easy for Georgann “Anne” Carter to remember when she talks about her personal journey with breast cancer. But, what this timeline doesn’t describe is the roller coaster ride of emotional struggles, the daily mental and physical exhaustion and sickness resulting from treatments, and the fears you deal with for yourself and your family while trying to maintain some semblance of a “normal” day to day life. This single mom of two teenage daughters will tell you that “my biggest savior” in dealing with breast cancer was her positive attitude, and the constant help and support she received from her family, friends, neighbors and coworkers at the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) in Limestone. “I never dreamed that so many people really cared; 22 FALL 2012 people I didn’t even know,” she said. “Co-workers and people in my community brought us meals; even milkshakes from a local restaurant owner were delivered while I was going through my treatments.” Anne also has some very special new friends; women who all share a common bond and are members of the local Pink Aroostook Breast Cancer Support Group. “I love it,” Anne said referring to the Support Group. “They’re like my family and I look forward to our meetings. We share advice, insights and information that come from being in the same shoes. It’s so incredibly helpful to be able to talk to and listen to people that have been through breast cancer in one way or another. Bethany has been like a sister to me,” she said referring to