Just days after celebrating her 50th birthday, Stacy Beer of Monroe City noticed a sore lump beneath her breast. What began as something she hoped would be minor soon led her down an unexpected path. After meeting with her primary care physician, she was referred Dr. Stacy Copeland, a breast surgeon at Hannibal Regional Medical Group. Further testing revealed stage II triple-negative breast cancer in her left breast.
Stacy began neoadjuvant chemotherapy at Hannibal Regional Cancer Institute, starting a challenging journey that would test her physically and emotionally. Through the ups and downs, she chose to face each challenge head-on. In late July, Stacy completed 16 cycles of chemotherapy, marking a significant milestone in her journey. To celebrate, she rang the bell in the infusion center, a symbolic moment marking the completion of this phase of her treatment and all she had overcome along the way.
While chemotherapy is complete, Stacy’s journey is not over. Her next step will be a lumpectomy to remove the remaining affected breast tissue. Following surgery, she may also undergo radiation therapy, depending on her care team’s recommendations, to help ensure all remaining cancer cells are eliminated.
Stacy credits the support of her children, family, friends and community for helping her reach this important milestone. Throughout treatment, she says her care team, particularly the nurses in the infusion center, has been a tremendous source of support. “Everyone has been wonderful,” Stacy says. “They have always answered my questions and never left me feeling alone in this journey.”
Her positive outlook has also helped her navigate the difficult days. As a mother, Stacy was determined to keep life as normal as possible for her children, even when treatment left her feeling exhausted. “I tried to get up and get moving, even when I didn’t feel like it,” she says. “I wanted to keep my children’s lives as normal as possible.”
Stacy describes herself as a very self-reliant person, which made the outpouring of support from those around her especially meaningful. Friends, family, neighbors and members of her community stepped forward to help in ways she never expected. “The amount of people who stepped up to help me has been overwhelming,” she says. “I feel so blessed to have had so much support from my loved ones and my community.”
Stacy’s journey is one example of the comprehensive cancer care available close to home at Hannibal Regional. Through the Hannibal Regional Cancer Institute and Cary Cancer Center, patients have access to coordinated cancer care, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation oncology and other services designed to support them throughout their treatment journey. With compassionate care teams and advanced treatment options, Hannibal Regional is committed to helping patients and their families navigate cancer with the care and support they need. Learn more about cancer care at Hannibal Regional and the services available close to home: hannibalregional.org/cancer-care
In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month we want to remind everyone that regular mammograms are the most effective way to find breast cancer at its earliest, most treatable stage. During the month of October Hannibal Regional is offering 3D mammograms for just $99. Appointments are required, and no doctor’s order is needed. Take charge of your health and schedule your mammogram today by calling 573-248-5688.