KHAS Weather
Breast cancer patient shares survivor story
It's one of the most common types of cancers, But, the prognosis and survival rates vary from patient to patient.
As we continue our look at the way cancer is treated here in Central Nebraska, we get a firsthand account from a breast cancer survivor. There the three words no one wants to hear. "Not me, that's probably what it is, why is this happening to me," said Ora Adler. For Adler, she's heard the phrase, you've got cancer. "It's a shock at first and it takes about a week for you to sort it all out and then at the time you've decided, well I do have cancer, let's move on," said Adler. Ora was diagnosed in May of last year. She began chemotherapy in July and in October radiation. "We came and visited with the doctor and a lot of his radiation technicians are here and he had great confidence in this center, he said they've got high tech people here," Adler said. For 7 weeks Ora received radiation therapy at the Morrison Cancer Center in Hastings. After her diagnosis she was given some advice. "The first thing my husband told me was don't get on the internet and start reading all the horror stories out there, you don't need that," said Adler. Instead of reading the negative, she thought about the positive. "I do try and be positive and with my faith I feel like that is something that held me through all this," Adler said. But so did the doctors and nurses as well as other patients. "You build from each others support, I think, and you know what they're going through and they know what you're going through," said Adler. Breast cancer accounts for nearly 23-percent of all cancers in women. Prognosis and survival rates vary greatly depending on the cancer type, stage, treatment and geographical location of the patient. Since the 1950's, treatment has been available right here in Central Nebraska when the Morrison Cancer Center first opened for business. Ora knows the place all too well. Much of last fall was spent at the center receiving her treatment. But after nearly two months with 5 days a week appointments Ora was glad to be moving on. "It was like now what do I do, it's a strange feeling because you don't see the doctor but every three months and they're reassuring you that everything's okay," said Adler. Ora gives credit to God and her family for getting her through treatment and allowing her to travel and enjoy life. "I just thank god every day that now I am free of cancer and I can get up and do what I want to," Adler said. Ora received her clean bill of health nearly a year ago. She was just one of the over 230,000 women who were diagnosed with cancer in 2011. As of last year, there were more than 2.6 million breast cancer survivors in the United States. |
On Demand
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled.
Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.
PollLocal Gas Prices
Most Popular
KHASTV LinksKHASTV on FacebookWeather Closings |
Most Popular