Kicking Cancer After A Breast Cancer Diagnosis Crushed Her World, Irene Mills Fought Back To Reconstruct It
It was a day Irene Mills will never forget. It began with the discovery of a lump in her breast, and ended with a diagnosis of cancer.
“Nobody can really understand unless they’ve been there,” says the 48-year-old North Spokane woman. “Your whole world … it’s put on hold. You’re angry. You’re furious. You’re mad at God. You’re mad at the doctors. You’re mad at yourself.”
Two weeks after she got the bad news, Mills underwent surgery to remove the golf ball-sized tumor from her breast. A biopsy revealed the worst: Cancer had invaded her immune system, and without intense treatment, she would die.
The reality hit her with a vengeance. “I wondered if I was going to make it to 50,” says Mills. “When you’re threatened with your life, you change your attitude real quick.”
For seven long months, the spunky single mom endured blasts of radiation and devastating chemotherapy drug treatments that challenged her faith, tested her stamina, and even stripped away her hair.
“In 14 days exactly, every hair on my body fell out,” says Mills. “I was so sick with chemo that I couldn’t hardly stand to do anything. All I wanted to do was sleep and throw up. It was terrible. It was the worst thing that anybody should ever be put through in their life,” she says, fighting back tears.
Nearly 44,000 women will die from breast cancer in the United States this year. And, The American Cancer Society says, over 825 of those women make their homes in Washington state. Shocking statistics about a debilitating disease that leaves its victims physically, emotionally and financially paralyzed.
“Your whole world stops, and you totally change what’s important in life,” says Mills, who found her own bank account drained from the $125,000 in hospital bills she received.
“I knew if I could remember three words, I could get through it,” she says. “The words were calm, courage and Christ.”
Words to live by. Words that worked miracles in her own heart, and the hearts of others. Like the family members who painted her house and cared for her 8-year-old daughter Heather. The friends from church who brought her meals and put her name on prayer chains. The outreach organizations, like Cancer Patient Care, that put clothes on Heather’s back and led her to support groups. The two anonymous donors who paid Heather’s tuition to Northwest Christian School. And, the doctors who were able to gain a stronghold on her breast cancer in September.
“I really believe I am alive by the grace of God … that’s the only reason,” says Mills. “The people were just there for me instantly, and I know I couldn’t have gotten well without that help.”
Mills has been cancer-free for six months, but she lives with the scars of her battle every day. Radiation has damaged her nerves. She tires easily and isn’t able to hold down a full-time job, but she doesn’t like to talk about those things.
“I try not to think about the limitations. I try to think about the things I can do,” she says with a smile. Soccer is one of her greatest passions. Mills is a regular at her daughter’s games. She walks the sidelines, shouting words of encouragement to the team.
“I want to coach next year,” she says. Her blue eyes sparkle as she watches Heather running up and down the field.
“She’s an amazing little girl,” says Mills. An amazing child, with an equally amazing mother.
xxxx Joining The Battle You can show your support for breast cancer patients by wearing a pink ribbon during National Cancer Survivors Day on Tuesday, June 10. A free evening of support and encouragement for those with all types of cancer, as well as for their friends and family, is planned from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Spokane Civic Theater, 1020 N. Howard St. For more information, call 326-5802. You can also support a cancer patient through donations, volunteer work, or participation in these local fund-raising events: Relay For Life - June 6 and 7. A family-oriented walk, run or wheelchair event sponsored by the American Cancer Society. For information call 326-5802. Fourth Annual Loreen Miller Memorial Bike Ride - Sunday, June 22. Twelve-, 34-, or 64-mile bike ride sponsored by Cancer Patient Care. For information call 456-0446