"Looking back, I can see God's hand in my situation. Bad things happen -- not because God caused them, but because that is life. What God does is use people and circumstances to help us deal with the bad stuff," reflects breast cancer survivor Carol Davis of Poplar Bluff.
Davis, who taught 32 years at Poplar Bluff Junior High, was diagnosed with cancer in the fall of 2000.
"I went for my annual checkup with Sonya Woodsmall-DeCiro, my nurse practitioner, who found something suspicious. She insisted on a mammogram, even though I had just had one. Fortunately, that mammogram led to an early diagnosis," Davis says.
Certain there was no need for concern, she still asked to have the procedure as soon as possible.
"I scheduled my surgery for the day before Thanksgiving, Nov. 22, so that I could go back to school on Monday. I was that confident that it was going to be nothing," she recalls. "Even after I learned it was cancer, I never felt like it was going to beat me. I just believed that everything was going to turn out okay."
Davis traveled to the Siteman Center in St. Louis for node testing, which proved to be negative.
"My oncologist at Siteman recommended four rounds of chemotherapy and radiation. I wanted to take my treatments locally so that I could maintain as much a normal routine as possible. Dr. Hermann at Siteman agreed that my local oncologist Dr. Peters' office could administer the chemo," she says.
As a teacher and volleyball coach, it was important to Davis that her students and athletes know exactly what was going on.
"I told the kids from the outset," she says. "I didn't want them to be afraid for me, and I wanted them to feel free to ask questions.
"My chemo was scheduled every third Friday, so I explained that to the kids, and assured them I would be back on Monday mornings."
After treatment on Friday, Davis would be tired. Saturday, she felt lethargic -- kind of like the flu. Sunday, Davis would go to church, then spend a restful afternoon at home.
"On Monday morning, I still didn't feel quite like myself, but then, by sixth hour, I was back to normal. It was uncanny how that cycle repeated itself throughout my chemotherapy," she says.
Treatment and trying to continue life as normal were not without consequence, however.
"I was encouraged not to actively coach during my treatment because of the possibility of a blood clot developing from over activity. I assured my doctor I could coach without raising my arms, and I really thought I could. However, I would get caught up in the game, and raise my arms instinctively," she recalls.
As predicted, a blood clot developed and Lovenox injections were prescribed during the duration of her treatment.
"I guess I could have learned to give myself the injections (which had to be administered in the abdomen) but God had placed friends in my life who relieved me of having to add that to my plate," she says.
Phyllis Hansen was her nurse neighbor across the street; Jan Stevens was the school nurse; and Debbie Woodsmall and April Piland, were nurses and mothers of volleyball players. Among the four of them -- whether at home, school or a volleyball game -- one of them was there for Davis when she needed an injection.
Upon completion of the chemo, 35 rounds of radiation were prescribed.
"Again, thankfully, I was able to take my treatments locally at the Danny Bell Cancer Center. That center made it possible for me to continue to teach school, while I took radiation five days a week for seven weeks," she says. "In addition to the excellent medical staff and friends that God placed in my path for this journey, another blessing came in an unexpected way. In my 32 years of teaching I had only two student teachers. Wouldn't you know that one of them, Rachel Kennedy, was assigned to me in the spring semester after my fall diagnosis?"
Davis says that soon after her she learned she had cancer, she gave Kennedy the opportunity to ask for reassignment because of the difficulties she might face with a cooperating teacher who was undergoing cancer treatment. The young teacher opted to stay, however, and Davis views that as definitely another God thing.
"When I was in radiation and at my most fatigued, that was when I needed help -- and there she was. I was able to step back and let her take over," Davis says.
While Davis says it is her nature to stay positive and believe in the best outcome, she admits there were times of uncertainty and fear.
"It's okay to have a pity party. Women on this journey have a right to it; however, don't let self-pity take over your life. Set the timer for five minutes and have a good cry. Let it all out. When the timer goes off, the party is over," she advises.
Davis graduated from Dexter High School in 1972 and then attended college at Arkansas State University. In 1980, she married Dan Massingham of Poplar Bluff, and the couple settled in his hometown.
Davis says she draws on her cancer experience to try and encourage other women who are facing their own uncertainty.
"When I meet a woman who is battling cancer, I can't help but try to reassure her. I tell her she has joined a private little sorority that no one wants to pledge, but it is only a bump in the road. I do my best to let her see there will be light at the end of the seemingly endless tunnel," Davis says.