Mrs. Betty Kirby is our sweet and spunky businesswoman. She is so dedicated to Vaca & Kirby Dental Group and our patients. She is very close to our heart and since it’s breast cancer awareness month, we asked her to share her personal survivor story with you.
Mrs. Betty Kirby is our sweet and spunky businesswoman. She is so dedicated to Vaca & Kirby Dental Group and our patients. She is very close to our heart and since it’s breast cancer awareness month, we asked her to share her personal survivor story with you.
“Having survived breast cancer three times, I feel so blessed to be enjoying and living life to its fullest with my family and friends. My journey started in 1998 with a lump found through a mammogram in my left breast, followed by a lumpectomy and radiation. A self- examination identified another lump in my right breast in 2000, a different type of breast cancer. Several doctor visits, biopsies and a trip to M. D. Anderson in Houston indicated a lumpectomy was again the choice of treatment, followed by a regimen of chemotherapy. Understanding what would happen with the side effects of chemo, namely loss of hair and sickness were vital in helping me cope. Another round of radiation, and after six months I felt I was well on my way to good health. Wrong!
In 2001, another lump appeared in the same right breast after having gone through chemo and radiation. Surely this was a mistake and could not happen, but it did. Enough was enough, but I knew God was not finished with me, so the decision was made to undergo a bi-lateral mastectomy and oral chemo. Reconstruction was not an option due to a suppressed immune system.
Life is so fragile and the news from one doctor visit can either strengthen or destroy a person. I have always tried to look at my glass as half full instead of half empty. My strong faith in Jesus and my dear, loving family have sustained me during some very challenging times. Each new day is such a joy because I know it is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.”
