Casey Treaster is a busy mom who knows the burden of cancer all too well. Her father battled a rare form of cancer for five years before passing away, showing courage every step of the way.
Now in her early 40s, Casey had scheduled her first mammogram. Just weeks before her appointment, she discovered a lump in her breast. At the time, she reassured herself it was probably nothing and put her trust in the fact that her mammogram was coming up soon.
When she arrived for her appointment, she mentioned the lump to her mammographer, who immediately took diagnostic steps and ordered an ultrasound. That same day, Casey learned from the radiologist that both the mammogram and ultrasound showed concerning results. She was quickly referred to surgeon Dr. Stacy Copeland for further evaluation and was sent for a biopsy.
In May of 2024, exactly six months to the day of her father’s passing, Casey was diagnosed with stage 2B triple-negative breast cancer. The news was devastating, and she spent the following days overwhelmed, trying to process the weight of it all. Casey’s determination to remain present and active in her children’s lives gave her strength. Not wanting to miss out on her kids games and activities, staying close to home for her care was important. Casey chose to undergo her treatments at Hannibal Regional, where she could focus on healing while still being the mom her kids needed.
After those first overwhelming days, Casey began meeting with her oncology care team at Hannibal Regional Cancer Institute and her radiation oncology team at the Cary Cancer Center. Right away, she felt surrounded by the best people to walk this journey with her.
“Everyone I met was so uplifting and positive,” Casey shares. “They encouraged me in a time when I felt completely overwhelmed. Not only were they there for me, but also for my family. My kids were able to be involved in my care. They sometimes came with me to treatments and even got to see some of the equipment used for radiation. The team went out of their way to make my kids feel included in my care plan, which made the process a little less scary for them.”
Through all her treatment, Casey was guided by a nurse navigator who helped keep all the puzzle pieces of her cancer care connected. Casey reflects, “Having a familiar, warm face at every scan and procedure is huge! The nurse navigators truly were a blessing in my journey. Not only do they provide support and comfort, but they also spend countless hours dealing with insurance matters. It took the stress off of me and my family, and I can’t put into words what a blessing that was.”
Over the next year, Casey bravely underwent rigorous treatment. She received countless chemotherapy infusions at Hannibal Regional Cancer Institute, underwent a lumpectomy performed by Dr. Copeland at Hannibal Regional, completed an intense course of radiation therapy at Cary Cancer Center, and finished her treatment plan with an oral chemotherapy regimen.
After a full year of treatment, Casey is now beginning to ease back into life and find her sense of normalcy. She continues to see Dr. Copeland for follow-up care, but she is doing great. Casey’s journey is a powerful reminder of just how important it is to schedule regular mammograms.
“As a 41-year-old busy mom doing all the things, I didn’t always take time for myself,” Casey shares. “I want to remind women that it is important to take care of yourself so you can continue to take care of your family and friends. It was incredibly humbling to be on the receiving side of support from family and friends. So many people rallied for me, and it was amazing to see. I believe things happen for a reason, and I cannot imagine going through this journey without my faith, family, and friends. Every step and every battle, God was with me and helped me through. Now I want to use this experience to remind women, make your mammogram appointment, and follow through with it!”
Early detection is vital in the fight against breast cancer, and Hannibal Regional is equipped with state-of-the-art technology to deliver fast, accurate diagnoses. In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Hannibal Regional Radiology is offering 3D mammograms for a special price of $99 throughout October. For more information about women’s health screenings or to schedule your mammogram, call 573-248-1300.