“Someone above was by my side” | Columbia County

Breast cancer was the most common cancer in the world in 2021 and accounts for 12% of new annual cancer cases worldwide, according to the World Health Organization.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month begins today and continues until October. This issue of Register-Star is printed in pink to mark the start of the 31-day campaign.

Ghent’s Teresa Decker is one of the warriors.

Decker found a small lump on his chest the day after his 50th birthday.

Decker’s bathrobe was hanging on the door before taking a shower. It is a place where you usually do not take a shower. An unusual discoloration of one nipple caught my eye in the bathroom mirror.

“I took my hand and examined both breasts, but there was a lump in my left breast,” she recalled. “The discoloration was on the opposite breast. It didn’t hurt.

“I was lucky. I didn’t know it was there if the robe didn’t happen. I’m sure someone above was on my side and watching over me.”

With the exception of skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosis in women in the United States, and invasive illnesses affect about 1 in 8 women, or 13%. The lifetime risk of breast cancer in men is about 1 in 833. Breast cancer.org..

All women should undergo a monthly self-examination to check for abnormal lumps and changes in breast tissue density and participate in an annual physical examination. Talk to your healthcare provider about your family history and the genetic risk of breast cancer to determine when to start a mammogram or cancer screening.

Women over the age of 40 should obtain a recommended annual mammogram combined with a monthly self-examination to maximize early detection.

Decker continues to perform regular self-examinations to maximize the chances of early detection if the cancer recurs.

“Check it out for yourself,” she advised. “Of course, not every day, but at least every month, check yourself. Get that mammogram. For other cancers, go to an annual health check and get that blood test.”

Decker was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive type of breast cancer in Stage 1, but wasn’t told the name of the type she had.

“I didn’t want to know because I didn’t want to keep it,” she said, adding that 2% of women diagnosed with breast cancer have the same type. “I don’t know yet.”

Decker, now 59, was 51 at the time of diagnosis and worked as a developmental aide at CoARC. She is currently working as a personal assistant for a man with Alzheimer’s disease.

She was treated at the Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and worked closely with oncologist Dr. Michael Deleo.

The surgeon removed the lumps and lymph nodes and received several chemotherapy and radiation therapy. She developed neuropathy and had to use a wheelchair to walk for long periods of time during treatment. The condition persists to this day with her fingers and toes.

“At one point I was so ill that I lay down on the floor and just lay down there, and I said,” Please, God, just take me. ” Said Decker.

“… I blocked it all,” she continued her journey. “One radiologist said,” This is just a small bump on the road. Just keep thinking about it. ” I kept saying, “I’m treating this cold I have” — that’s how I dealt with it. “

Deleo told Decker that he had a 98% chance of surviving with treatment and an 87% chance of surviving without treatment.

“So, of course, I chose 98,” Decker said.

Breast cancer mortality has been stable in women under the age of 50 since 2007, but has continued to decline in women over the age of 50, declining by 1% each year from 2013 to 2018. This decrease is due to advances in treatment and other factors. Screening and detection.

Dozens of people gathered behind Decker and lifted her condition in prayer from social media posts and reviews while she was fighting.

Decker thanked her husband, Brian. Children of Kristen, Brian and Zachary. Grandchildren Brian and Blakely. Family Patty, Bridget, Tom, Kate, Mary, Erin, Melinda, Kate. Close friends Dawn, Suanne and Kirauda.

Decker’s sons Brian and Zachary went to Hudson’s Mirror Image Salon to shave their heads with their mother. Her hair began to fall out after several doses of chemotherapy. DeLeo also helped keep Decker positive.

“I am blessed — I love my family very much,” she said.

Decker’s great aunt Helen encouraged her while in the hospice and told Decker not to worry.

“It gave me so much hope,” she recalled and told her fellow warriors not to lose hope.

“Don’t lose hope or faith,” she said.

Decker’s grandson, Brian Evans, now 19 years old, wore pink clothes and sneakers to support the battle of his beloved grandmother.

“He was my big supporter, he always wore pink,” Decker said.

Decker will be cleared for 9 years in March. Medical staff check her level semi-annually. She graduates from an annual visit after 10 years.

Decker’s emotions reappear when friends, family, and others suffering from cancer post photos and share their trips on social media. But the post is a good memory of the epidemic of cancer fighting that has affected people of all communities and of all ages and backgrounds.

“Sometimes I think about it, but anything can happen at any time,” she said. “I’m just on the road every day …. Everyone’s journey is different — everyone’s story is different.”

Decker is expecting another grandson in April.

“All this is what I’m looking forward to, which keeps my idea that I’m still here,” she said. “I feel very fortunate in this remission. Dr. Deleo said I was actually a survivor of this cancer.”

Resources and upcoming events

Columbia Memorial Health Women’s Health Centers in Hudson and Catskill offer a range of services including full-service breast care including 3D mammography, breast ultrasound, breast MRI, and breast biopsy for breast cancer screening and diagnosis. I have.

According to the American Breast Cancer Foundation, signs of breast cancer include lumps in the breast and flanks, changes in breast shape and size, changes in nipples and secretions, redness like orange skin, inflammation, and dents in the skin. There are changes and so on.

While the large annual events and rallies remain limited as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, several events will be scheduled in Twin County until the end of October to support breast cancer research and awareness. I am.

Spring Kelsey, owner of Salon 255 on Mansion Street in Coxsackie, highlights the success of the annual Pink Up the County 100-mile motorcycle and autorun on September 12 to raise funds for breast cancer awareness and research. Did.

The event featured brightly colored pink T-shirts that encouraged them to participate in the fight against breast cancer, as well as 50/50 raffles, auctions and door prizes.

A day’s event raised $ 2,500.

Pink Up County is the first phase of the county’s fundraising campaign for breast cancer awareness, which continues until October. Salon 255 stylists will donate pink hair dye, stripes, feathers, extensions and rock of love, and will carry out a raffle to add to the total donation until the end of the month.

The chicken barbecue will take place on October 7th at 255 Mansion St., Coxsackie, outside Salon 255. For ticket reservations or more information, please email Spring Kelsey (518-731-2559). Salon [email protected] Or send a message to the Salon 255 Facebook page.

The proceeds will be donated to the Patricia J. Brandow Foundation, which is supported by the Albany Medical Center.

More than 100 people typically attend the Brand Annual Endowed Lecture Series, which takes place each November at the Hilton Garden Inn Albany Medical Center in Albany.

This series, and other breast cancer education resources and research, are funded by Patricia J. Brandow Endowment, founded in 1994.

Another event to collect donations will be held at the end of the month.

Jim Stacy’s New Day Fitness in Columbia County will host an outdoor Zumba class and breast cancer fundraising activity on October 30th at Kinderhook’s 2532 Route 9H. At this event, food and craft vendors, indoor HIIT classes, gym open houses, and more.

All proceeds go to the Brandow Foundation, which is backed by the Albany Medical Center.

The owner, Stacy New Kirk, who grew up in Kinderhook, opened Stacy’s New Day Fitness on January 13th.

Kelsey launched the Pink Up The County and Pink Up the Town events more than 10 years ago in honor of her mother who developed breast cancer in 1986. She was treated at the Albany Medical Center.

“It’s something most people were impressed with,” she said. “They have a great time doing it in the salon — thanks to my staff I couldn’t do this without them. Great words and dedication, but our passion Is a lot of fun and it definitely makes a difference if we can support the patient’s recovery and treatment efforts. In every study, it helps us get much closer. “

The event has raised tens of thousands of dollars over the years, with a total of $ 12,500 in 2019.

Earnings from the annual Leorasher Memorial Catfish Derby will also be donated to a local fund to support breast cancer research.