Sherry Limbaugh has devoted her life to medicine, so when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000 at 38 years of age, she was frightened.
"I knew the terminology and I understood what it meant," Limbaugh explains. "When I was told what I had, my first thought was, I am going to die."
Limbaugh's cancer was intraductal carcinoma. Surgery revealed the cancer had spread to 27 of the 30 lymph nodes that were removed from her affected breast.
"It was estrogen receptor positive, which means it grew from estrogen. I can never take any kind of hormone," Limbaugh explains.
Her doctor in Cape Girardeau planned an aggressive form of treatment, but Limbaugh wanted to explore all her options before making a decision.
"We traveled to M.D. Anderson to get a second opinion; however, their recommended plan of action was the same as Cape, so I was able to take my treatments close to home and keep working," she says.
At that time, Limbaugh, a family nurse practitioner (FNP), was manning a mobile clinic in Advance, and was concerned if she were not present to see patients, her office would be in jeopardy.
Limbaugh received six months of chemotherapy at Southeast Cancer Center, followed by five weeks of radiation.
"While I was taking chemo, I gave myself shots to keep my white blood cells from getting low. That helped me combat fatigue, and I was able stay on the job," she explains.
Treatment for her cancer did not end after the initial chemo and radiation, though.
"For five years afterward, I continued chemotherapy in the form of a pill I took orally," she says.
Limbaugh was able to focus on getting well once she had an action plan.
"I was determined to beat this, so I did everything I was told to do," says Limbaugh, who lives in Swinton. "I wasn't going to take any chances."
She continues to see her oncologist and surgeon every year, even though she has been cancer free for over 10 years.
When her body had healed, Limbaugh opted for reconstructive surgery.
"This procedure was right for me," she explains, "but every woman is different, and the decision whether or not to have this surgery is a personal one."
Limbaugh graduated from Advance High School in 1980 and went to work for a doctor in Dexter, who trained his own nurse assistants.
"In 1984, I went to Southeast Missouri State University, earned my associate's degree in nursing, and went to work at Southeast Hospital as an RN (registered nurse)," she says.
While continuing to work full time, she attended night classes at Webster University in St. Louis and received her bachelor's degree in nursing. After working for 10 years, she returned to school and obtained her master's degree in nursing, which then allowed her to take the certification exam to be a licensed FNP. Limbaugh currently works at Bloomfield Medical Clinic.
"Even though I was frightened when I received the initial diagnosis," Limbaugh reflects, "wonderful friends and church family rallied around to help out and keep my outlook positive."
A need for reassurance took Limbaugh back to church, she says.
"Even though I had grown up in church, I had not attended for several years. I found not only the comfort and assurance I was seeking, but love and support from the congregation, as well.
"My church family was such a blessing. People would give me scriptures to help keep me uplifted. They were a boost to my spirit when I was down," Limbaugh says.
Limbaugh says a positive attitude is fundamental in winning the battle against cancer.
"I was frightened and afraid of what might happen," she says reflecting back on those early days, "but I quickly realized that overcoming my fear was as necessary for my physical and emotional well-being as any treatment I might receive.
"You have to look forward and you have to keep smiling. Bad days will happen. Tears will happen. But with faith, friends, and family you can face everything that lies ahead."