Manila woman working through breast cancer

(This is the first of a two-part series in recognition of October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month.)

Jackie May of Manila recently underwent a double mastectomy and is working through reconstruction. Breast cancer, as well as other cancers, is not something one goes through alone. Spouses, children, family members and friends make up the support group.

Jackie’s husband of 30 years, Eddie May, has been there with her every step of the way letting her know he would support the decisions she made through her cancer journey.

The Mays have three children, twins Matthew and Jeremiah, college students, and Olivia, a high school junior at Manila.

Jackie has agreed to share her story in an effort to encourage other women to never neglect their mammograms and to let everyone know how much she appreciates all of the prayers and support she has received.

“I wanted to let everyone know how great our God is,” she said. “I almost put 'my' God but he is everyone’s God if you let him.”

Jackie said at the end of June, when the doctors’ offices began reopening, she received a text to confirm an appointment for her yearly examination.

“Even though I was thinking it was too early, I confirmed the appointment,” she said. “I arrived and got ready for the exam. The doctor and nurse began the exam only to have another nurse come in telling them it was too early. The doctor stopped and started looking through my records. He found my last mammogram was done in 2016. We agreed on a date in July for the mammogram. I am not worried, there is no history of breast cancer in my family. I went to the first mammogram appointment on a Thursday. The following Monday, they called to let me know they had compared it with my last one. There was no change in the left breast but they saw a change in the right one. A more extensive exam would be needed. It was set for the following Wednesday. The exam showed something, so it was determined I would need to have a biopsy done just to be on the safe side.

“A little worried, but not much since I had no history of breast cancer and there were no lumps to feel or see. The biopsy was set up for the following Monday. I completed the biopsy and was told I would receive the results on Thursday. On Thursday I got the call to confirm it was cancer and they would set me up with a surgeon.”

Jackie said it was caught very early which is good. It was in stage 0.

“I believe it was God who sent me to the appointment early which allowed the doctor to set up the mammogram,” May said. “Had I not gone to that appointment in June, it could have gotten worse. I found out from the pathology report after surgery that the type cancer I had is highly aggressive.”

Jackie and Eddie both agree 2020 has not been a great year and they are ready for 2021.

Not all things have been bad through the year as Jackie has a new job with Delta Peanut in Jonesboro that she calls God sent. She is the shipping supervisor.

“I had done an interview for the job,” Jackie said. “After being diagnosed with breast cancer, I received a call from the plant manager telling me I had been chosen for the job if I was still interested. I told him I was still interested but I had found out I have breast cancer and would be meeting with the surgeon on the following Monday. I wait for him to tell me he will get back with me later but instead, he said, 'I am sorry about your health issue but we can work around it if you still want the job.' It was such a relief. Again, I know God had his hand in this as well.”

She started her job on Monday, Aug. 17, and on Aug. 26, she had surgery.

Before surgery decisions had to be made. Jackie said she was trying to decide what was best for her. She had options including a lumpectomy, removing one breast or removing both.

She studied all of her options and finally decided to have a double mastectomy. After doing the research Jackie said she knew the cancer would not spread from one breast to the other but she said she was afraid every time she had a pain or a change, she would worry.

“I had wonderful doctors in Jonesboro,” Jackie said. “Dr. Diccoci did the surgery removing the breasts and plastic surgeon Dr. Majewski is doing the reconstruction process which started the same time as the surgery to remove the breasts. I also had the best nurse, Angela Mullens. She took such good care of me and stayed through surgery and with me in recovery. Eddie was waiting by himself because of COVID-19 no one else was allowed to stay. Angela kept going out and letting Eddie know how I was doing.”

Mrs. May said she will remember the year she turned 50. She is thankful she was able to return to work after 10 days. She returned to work on the Tuesday after Labor Day.

All of the tests show everything is now negative. She has to go back to the doctor every three months for a year but it all looks good.

“They thought I would have to take a cancer pill but it is looking like I will not,” she said.

Jackie again wants to remind women to have regular mammograms even if they don’t have a family history of breast cancer or if there are not visible problems. Early detection is important.

“Even the doctor did not feel a lump in my breast,” she said. “I was working out every day, had no problems and having breast cancer was not something I was concerned about. I have had some painful days but I have a lot to be thankful for.”