For Alyson Singfield of University City, Mo., being among thousands of sashaying survivors, families and friends who are affected by breast cancer was another step in her own journey with the disease.
For 12 years, Singfield lived a cancer-free life following her first diagnosis of breast cancer in 2000 – the day after receiving a marriage proposal from St. Louis American Photojournalist Wiley Price. Singfield said she offered to let him off the hook – but he was “all in,” and they were married two months later.
“He went through that whole first bout with me,” Singfield said. “After my chemo, for seven days, I had to get shots in my stomach and he had to do them.”Singfield also had a lumpectomy to move the cancerous tissue.
Although no longer married, Price and Singfield remain good friends.
“I thought I was cured, because it had been 12 years,” Singfield said.
This year’s breast cancer diagnosis in February is not a recurrence – it’s a separate type from the first one, Singfield said. It is located the opposite breast and was identified by her doctor as a HER2 positive breast cancer. HER2 is a growth promoting protein responsible for a very aggressive form of the disease.
“It was so aggressive, I had it for only like two months and it went over my entire body and I basically could not live alone for five to six months,” Singfield said. Her daughter and granddaughter moved in with her to help her though the side effects of chemo.
“It seems like every medicine has a side effect and there are medicines for the side effects,” she explained. “One time, I was like on 17 different meds and thank God for family. They came in and really showed me love.”
Her mother, children and family in town and out of town came to her side. They created an Excel spreadsheet of all the medicines she was taking, which was comforting to her. Friends and co-workers have been wonderful too.
“I pulled through, and I told them, ‘I’m not going nowhere!’ Singfield said.
“Since I had HER2 positive, they have a drug called Herceptin that basically has saved my life,” Singfield said. She said that drug and the chemo is making the difference.
“The Herceptin actually shrunk the tumors,” Singfield said. “The cancer cells are now all lying dormant.”
She underwent Gamma Knife targeted radiation treatments for remaining tumors. She said one is undetectable and the other diminished significantly.
Currently, Singfield is doing a lot better. She is only on three medications and she when she is feeling well enough, she is able to go to work at the job she loves in Congressman William Lacy Clay’s office.
“I am incurable, so I am living with cancer,” Singfield said. “I keep my spirits up. I have good family and wonderful friends and I pray to God and thank Him every day for all the love I’ve been receiving,” Singfield said. “To me – it’s all about love – that you give and that people give you. And that support… it just helps me survive.”
Sista Strut, the Clear Channel radio station promotional event for breast cancer awareness held on Saturday, October 6, drew 8,000 participants in its third year. They are giving $12,000 of their proceeds to local breast cancer organizations.
As a lasting influence, Singfield has a special gift in mind for her grandchildren.
“In the event that I do pass away, I going to work on writing a children’s book so I can still be in their lives and be a part of raising them,” Singfield said. “My advice to them in the book would cover how to protect yourself, how to be good to people and how to be happy.”
The National Cancer Institute estimates nearly 227,000 women and nearly 2,2000 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year.
According to the American Cancer Society breast cancer is second most common cancer among women, accounting for nearly 1 in 3 cancers diagnosed in U.S. women (skin cancers are first). Men are generally considered at low risk for developing breast cancer; however, men should report any change in their breasts to a physician. Regular breast self-exams and annual mammograms are the best tool for early detection.
For more information about breast cancer, visit www.cancer.org , komenstlouis.org or breast cancer support group The Breakfast Club at 314-972-8883 or www.breakfastclub-stl.org.
