Cancer patient had strong support

Recently, I was contacted by The Gazette to give an interview about how I overcame my breast cancer in 2013. I agreed. The reporter was nice and I answered all her questions.

When the article was published on Christmas Day (“Eastern Iowans make their own success stories”), I thought it was OK, except for the caption stating I had stage 4 breast cancer. I did not, there is a huge difference, this was a typo.

Then after rereading it, I began to notice it portrayed me as not having any support and only turning to the Internet for support. Although I did go online for support groups, I also had major support from family, friends and co-workers.

I also mentioned in the interview how great my doctors and staff at Mercy Medical Center were, but that was not published.

I in no way want anyone who made meals for me, sent cards, flowers and sat with me through doctor visits and chemo treatments to feel I did not appreciate this.

I simply told the reporter it was hard to find someone with the same diagnosis to get information and advice.

I could not have made it through this year without the strong support from my husband, children, family, friends and co-workers who put in extra hours.

I did not mean for it to sound like I did not have a support system. My goal was to let other breast cancer patients know there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Mary Porter

Cedar Rapids