Sylvia Schoenewe

I've always been interested in health. It's been more than a hobby to me, ever since I was young and was a part of 4H, back in Dodge City, Kansas. Those Hs in 4H stand for head, heart, health and hands. I even taught health and physical education for a number of years.

So, I never dreamt I'd come to the place where I had cancer. A number of years ago, I did have a lump in my breast, but that one turned out to be fibrocystic in nature. Early in 2005, when I felt another lump, I didn't even think about cancer. I just treated it with herbs, supplements and essential oils. It went away.

But then I got another one that same year, and I could feel it close to the surface on my right breast. It was about the size of a thumbnail. I thought it would go away as well. But it didn't. Now, I've always been someone who believes you've got to face the truth, whatever it is, and deal with it. So, I went to the doctor. He thought it would be good to have this checked out. So, in one day, I had a mammogram, a biopsy and saw the surgeon.

Before I made up my mind to do anything about treatment, though, one of my sons, who is a family practice doctor of osteopathy, asked me to get a second opinion, telling me that was always a good idea. So, I came to Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) in Tulsa to get it.

I met so many outstanding people at CTCA, and since I've always believed in total body health, and every aspect of a person is addressed here -- mind, body, spirit -- CTCA is what I chose. Then, when I found out about TomoTherapy® HI-ART and learned that with that kind of radiation, the heavy dose of radiation would go directly to the tumor site, and not to my whole breast, I really liked that.

In late December 2005, I had a partial mastectomy and then underwent 45 Tomo treatments. While a patient at CTCA, I also made use of naturopathy, nutrition, mind-body medicine and pastoral care. Everyone was so helpful. They took care of the whole Sylvia. There are so many things that go into healing and health. One thing I remembered from some books I'd read a while ago was a statement, "I know that forgiving myself and others for errors of the past will help me heal." So, now, I know when I do that, I'm helping myself heal.

I finished treatment for the breast cancer the last part of March 2006. My check-ups are all fine, and now I'm only being seen once every six months. I feel fantastic.

CTCA isn't like any other hospital I've ever known. The kind and level of caring here is something I've not seen in other hospitals. Every person on staff really cares about each individual patient. You feel so special here. I see staff members just walking down the hall stop to give a patient a hug. Such love is shown.

I never felt any fear about cancer. I know that God is always with me. What I can't handle, I can reach up and take hold of His hand, and He handles for me. My family, friends, church, the Pastoral Care staff at CTCA, all gave me wonderful support. My husband of 49 years, Russ, came to every appointment I had and every treatment. It was so wonderful to see him there when I'd finish a treatment. My sons were both there when I had surgery.

And then, I do things myself to work at staying peaceful and stress free. It isn't always easy. But, in addition to knowing God is with me, I work to be realistic and face things head on. I also use stress reliever techniques and peaceful oils. I worked for the Census Bureau for over 18 years and was in 20 or more homes a month. It was very interesting to me to discover as I met and talked to people, that those folks, regardless of their circumstances and walk of life, who had faith in the Lord and were reaching out and giving to others instead of being inward focused, stayed vibrant, even when they were older. I've never forgotten that.

I think each of us has a special responsibility to learn what we can about caring for our mind and body. In Proverbs in the Bible, there's a verse that says, "My people perish for lack of knowledge." In every situation, I think there's something you can learn to make yourself better. You need to then apply what you've learned.

Russ was diagnosed with prostate cancer this year, and there was no question where he wanted to go -- CTCA. He had Tomotherapy as well.

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