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Cindy Good has learned that having
cancer brings the importance of asking for help when you need it.
Last September, Cindy made an appointment with Dr. Cynthia Saylor
because of a cough that wouldn’t go away. Dr. Saylor scheduled a
lung X-ray and said, “you know since you’re going to be there why
not get a long overdue mammogram too.”
The initial mammogram was scheduled for September 16, 2024. Cindy
said, “there was a small spot they didn’t like so I returned on
September 24 for another mammogram.”
Next, Cindy said a biopsy was performed on September 26. The lump
they discovered was the size of a pencil eraser, and it was removed
during the biopsy. She said the spot was so small, it was difficult
to have the spot tested.
After testing the tumor board reviewed the findings, Cindy saw the
words “invasive ductal carcinoma” in her “Follow My Health’’ app.
On November 11, 2024, Cindy had a lymph node biopsy and lumpectomy
performed. The cancer was HER2 negative, estrogen receptor positive,
meaning even though the lymph nodes were fine and no tissue around
the lump, it showed cancer. Cindy said HER2 negative cancer is
hormone receptor positive and is a typical cancer for people her
age.
Because it was the fast-growing cancer, chemotherapy and radiation
were recommended treatment. No one wants to hear that. Cindy said,
“my first chemotherapy treatment was on January 17, 2025, but first
I needed a port put in for easy vein access. I only had four
treatments every 21 days.”
For Cindy, the chemo was easy as she
could sit in a comfy chair and relax. However, the next day you get
a shot, to increase white blood cells. Fortunately, Cindy said her
daughter Jodie Merritt gave her the shots so they didn’t need to go
back to Springfield. They were able to get the medicine for the shot
mailed by CVS pharmacy, but it cost $2000.
Cindy said, “my last chemo was March 21st. When your treatment is
over your body wants to get rid of that medicine, docetaxel and
cytoxin. You smell it on your skin, it makes you tired, you have
bone pain to where you don’t want to walk and nothing tastes good.
In addition, your head and your body hurt as your hair follicles die
and all your hair starts to fall out. Cindy said her arms and legs
got achy as the hair follicles were dying and crinkling up like
leaves. Radiation treatment
began on May 2, 2025, and there were 16 treatments. The treatments
are daily with no weekends, so Cindy said she made 16 trips to
Springfield. With the radiation treatments, Cindy said,
“you are in and out in 30 minutes.”
On the downside, Cindy said, “there is burning on the skin that
takes a while to heal and didn’t show up until I was almost done
with treatment.”
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The girls in the family shaved my head together. I was impressed by
how quickly the process moved. Everyone at the Simmons Cancer
Institute is so kind and amazing as were the nurses at St. John’s
She said the doctor’s office told her to call if she had any
problems and they would call back as soon as possible.
Besides learning not to be afraid to ask for help, Cindy said she
has also learned to talk to people and let them help. She said you
should not have to keep it all inside.
After treatment, Cindy said, “rest, rest, rest and don’t feel like
you are being lazy because you rest. Your body is working hard to
get all the medicine out.”
As of May 22, 2025, Cindy celebrated completion of cancer treatment.
Cindy is on hormone blocking therapy for 7 years because this type
of cancer feeds off estrogen. Due to hormone blocking therapy, she
has hot flashes.
Recovery from chemo can last for a
year or more, and Cindy said, “occasionally I just feel tired.” I
say “we” got through this because my daughters were with me every
step of the way.
Cindy said, “to me this was all a God
thing because I did not get a mammogram every year. I was so
grateful Dr. Saylor had me get that mammogram. The kids from my
granddaughter’s school sent me cards and remembered me in prayer,
which was very special.”
Currently, Cindy is doing well and is feeling pretty much back to
normal. She is a true warrior and survivor.
[Angela Reiners]
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