By Janet McGregor
Contributing Writer

Robyn Smith, 52, was shocked to find out she had breast cancer. Her mother had breast cancer in her 60s, and Smith had mentally anticipated the possibility, but not so early in life. She said, “When I first found out it was very unsettling. I said, `Why me?' Then I said, `Why not me?'”

She was diagnosed with cancer on a Thursday in 1998. On Monday, feeling that there was no point in waiting, she went in for surgery. She said, “I was a wreck emotionally. I couldn't see past the next few days. I wrote my obituary, did a lot of things in preparation.”

With breast cancer, a section of lymph nodes is removed in addition to all or part of the cancerous breast. Breast cancer frequently spreads through the lymph nodes, thus removal to determine the extent of the cancer spread is important. In Smith's case, four of the 13 lymph nodes the doctor removed were cancerous.

For the year following surgery, she took chemotherapy, taking one type for four months, then switching to another for the latter months. Smith's mother had a mastectomy, and her father had prostate cancer. But nothing prepared her for the experience of chemo and her own cancer.

She notes, “The worst part of everything was being nauseated from the chemo.” There are “miracle drugs” which alleviate the nausea, but the cost can be prohibitive for some at close to $30 per pill. She laughed and said, “When you're going through chemo, if it will help, no cost is too high!”

A positive attitude is important for every cancer survivor. “For me,” said Smith, “thinking about those who were worse off than I was, those who had to suffer through polio years ago or children who are suffering from cancer, helped me put things in perspective.”

During the chemo, she took the “one day at a time” attitude. She would tell herself that “this time next week, I'll feel better.”

Currently, Smith works with the Relay for Life fund-raiser and is in charge of publicity. Her sister participated in last year's walk to raise funds for cancer research and was able to raise over $5,000. Smith is proud of the support from her sister, husband and 27-year-old son.

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