Survivor story: Teresa Whatley

Each year the North Mississippi County Relay for Life teams select local community members who have survived cancer to be "honorary survivors" and represent hope in the fight against cancer. Each survivor has their own unique story of triumph and hope that will be shared leading up to this weekend's Relay for Life activities.

Relay for Life Honorary Survivor Teresa Whatley was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2010. During an annual mammogram, Whatley's test showed a micro-calcification that turned out to be a very aggressive form of breast cancer. Just a short time before this, she had felt good; she had been exercising and eating well. She was doing the things she was supposed to do, making the discovery of cancer devastating.

"I was very nervous until the doctors decided on a plan of treatment. I cried for two weeks, and relied on prayer to get me through," Whatley said.

Since the death of her husband at a young age, Whatley had been a single parent. She worried about her son who was in college at the time. Since the cancer was very invasive and cell-based, she had a lumpectomy followed by four treatments of chemotherapy and six weeks of radiation. Whately said she is very thankful for a lot things such as advances in treatment and management of side effects which allowed her to working during her treatment which she was able to take during her lunch break

Whatley also talked about the support that she received from prayer groups, friends, co-workers, the cancer center, her son and her doctors. Once when she asked, "What are we going to do?" her doctor answered, "Get past this. Go on and get on with your life."

Whatley talked about the great strides made in cancer saying, "It wasn't easy, but you get through it." She believes that she witnessed God working through her doctors. She also speaks highly about the cancer center here in Blytheville saying, "Every body out there is great."

Whatley said her strongest anchor was, and continues to be, her son. They walked this journey together, and now she is a two-year survivor together. After her hair had started to grow back, Teresa's son asked her to stop wearing her wig for his graduation from college. She had shaved her head after her first treatment, finding it surprisingly freeing and had worn a wig ever since. Initially she told her son no; however, she decided to do it. They have many pictures at his graduation celebrating that day for both of them.

Whatley teared up when she spoke of her son. "He kept me going. I am so blessed. He is such a sweet son."

Whatley continued, "When you get sick, you get a new perspective. You focus on the blessings you have." She enjoys helping others get through their cancer journey. She will be at the Relay for Life events at the Southern Bancorp tent.

Special thanks to Angie Trotter for help with this story.

cpinkard@blythevillecourier.com