Continuing our National Cancer Survivor’s Month stories, today we highlight Sheryl Daugherty, VP of Client Services and Implementations.
My cancer experience:
While my personal experience of cancer is minimal, only a basal cell carcinoma, cancer has been a part of my life since I was in my early 20’s. At that time, my oldest sister was diagnosed with breast cancer. She was 31 at that time. She had a painful mass in her axilla and was told by her physician that is was an infection and nothing to worry about. Treatment with antibiotics did not help. Once a diagnosis was made, she underwent a total mastectomy followed by chemotherapy and radiation. Every 1-2 years thereafter, she had a recurrence. 1st on her chest wall, then her other breast, followed by multiple brain metastases. She passed at age 39. A few years later, my younger sister developed skin rashes and swelling in her breast while breast feeding her 2nd child. This never healed. She went on to be diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer at age 30. Over the next few years, she developed metastatic disease that lined her entire digestive track and passed at age 37. Through genetic testing, we later found my other sister and a niece were both BRCA 2 positive. During prophylactic surgery, my sister was diagnosed with early-stage fallopian tube cancer and an early breast cancer. Also, my paternal grandfather died of late age diagnosis testicular cancer and many aunts and 2nd cousins on my mother’s side have had GYN malignancies.
How has this affected my life and career?
During the time that my 1st sister was being treated, I became very interested in learning more about this disease that was taking such a toll on my family. I was in college for Health Information Management and one class presentation highlighted the profession of cancer registry. At the same time, I was working part time at a hospital and sought out this department to learn more. After graduating, I applied for an entry level position in a cancer registry and began what has been my passion for the past 35 years. Hospital based cancer registries collect the information used by researchers and clinicians to understand the various types of cancer and develop new and innovative treatments that have increased survival and quality of life for those affected by cancer.
What do I have to say to other survivors for National Cancer Survivors Month?
If you are cancer free- congratulations and stay vigilant. For those still fighting – stay strong and take time to care for yourself. For all – Remember that life is a gift. Enjoy time with family and friends and never pass on an opportunity to let them know you love them.
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