LaNette Luce Childers, Pink Fishing Pro Staff, Freshwater

LaNette Luce Childers

MORE IMAGES

LaNette Luce Childers

ABOUT ME

If you have ever dealt with cancer, you can understand that you get so tired of the endless tests and doctor’s visits. This last May when I reached my 10 years cancer free from stage 3 colon cancer, I thought I could relax. I had begun to not pay that much attention to my annual screening tests, such as my yearly mammogram which was due in April. Each time I went to the Dr., she would ask when I was going to get that scheduled. Like everyone else life was keeping me busy and I just put it off and out of my mind. I had met Scott Burns, and he is such a wonderful man and for the first time in a long time, I was happy about the future. But between him and my Mom urging me to take care of my screenings, I finally scheduled my appointment for September 14. Everything flowed as usual and I went on about my daily business and didn’t think another thing about it. Then October 1 at 4:56 p.m. as I was leaving work, I received a call from my OB/GYN. “Ms. Childers, Dr. Smith has reviewed your mammo results and it is showing an area of abnormal spots and she would like further testing”. What? No! This can’t be! You have my results confused with someone else!!! A thousand thoughts ran through my head in the 15-minute drive home. Why didn’t I schedule in April, when it was due? Why now, life is so good right now? Scott didn’t sign up for something like this. How ironic that we just became members of Pink Fishing, participated in the tournament to raise money, and now this could be us! I can’t go through cancer again! The pain, the isolation, the treatments, the sickness, the suffering, the depending on others, my mind was whirling out of control!
As soon as Scott walked through the door that evening, he knew something was wrong. I just broke down in tears and told him about the call. Through tear filled eyes, I began to repeat all the overwhelming thoughts I was having. He gives me a hug and calmly tells me… “Babe, everything is going to be fine. We will get these tests done, and it’s going to be good news. We will pray and put our faith in our Lord and Savior. But if for some reason we have to face this, I promise you, not one minute will you be alone. I vow to be with you every step of the way. Now calm down and let me take this worry and give it to God.” The next few days were difficult. The unknown was stressful. Test day came and Scott calmly kissed me, reassured me, and said he loved me and would be waiting for me. I went back, and needless to say, my anxiety level was out the roof. After about two hours of tests, the doctor came in and said that she didn’t want me to have to wait all weekend for the results. She read the entire diagnostic and ultrasound test. The area was a small calcification spot and showed no characteristics of cancer at this time. I will have to be monitored closely, and most likely always have an ultrasound instead of the usual mammo. But praise be to God… No Cancer.
I urge everyone, stay current on all your yearly tests, especially your Mammograms. I will never put mine off again. I was blessed, but five months could have meant a whole different outcome. Early detection is the key. I am so grateful to be a part of Pink Fishing, especially bringing awareness to the importance of breast screenings. They are such a wonderful family and I am so thankful they have come into our lives. We look forward to a lifetime of raising money and making memories with PF