Staff Reports
Stacey Griffin's routine mammogram early this year led to a second test, a biopsy and a diagnoses of triple receptor-negative breast cancer. Reality quickly set in and life for the Poplar Bluff woman was no longer routine.
While seeking information about her own cancer and treatment, Griffin immediately began a campaign to make certain friends were tested.
Cancer was "a wake up call" not only for Griffin, but her friends, too. Two were diagnosed with breast cancer after Griffin's promptings.
"You think you are too busy, but you are never too busy to get a mammogram," Griffin said. "I felt fine; never expected anything. If they had walking billboards, I would be one."
"Be educated and do what they say to do," said Griffin adding, she "stayed focused and wanted to be done" with the cancer."I saw a local physician for a week of tests," said Griffin. She also had a surgeon, radiation oncologist and oncologist.
While her prognosis was good, she faced surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. But Griffin said she tried to stay positive throughout the treatment, and advised others to as well.
Griffin also worked at her job as an administrative officer at Mingo Job Corps through chemotherapy.
"I may not have lasted the whole day. I would get up and show up. It was a mental thing," she said.
Griffin said she has a good family and friends who helped her find peace to get through everything. Husband Greg, son Nathan, daughter Alyson, as well as other family and friends were supportive. Greg works at Buffington Brothers. Nathan is a highway patrolman and Alyson is a physical therapist student at Arkansas State University.
Her sister Cherie Haug and daughter would wear matching "happy shirts" to accompany her to treatments. Her best friend flew in one day for chemotherapy.
"People are so thoughtful and give back to people who need it," she said. "I wrote so many thank you notes I ran out of paper."
Griffin finished her 21 days of radiation at the end of August. She will have to have checkups every three months for the first three years and then six-month checkups.
She calls this her "year of pause and reevaluation." Now, as she is looking at the cancer and treatment "in the rear view mirror. We just get this one life," she said. "You have to make time for faith and family."
"I'm done with this," she said, as she encouraged everyone to keep annual appointments since early detection is the best.
If cancer is the diagnosis, Griffin said, have a strong mind set going into it. Celebrate the time you have and find laughter and joy, she believes.