Patient Testimonial - "This Is My Cancer Story"

The following is what Tina Wickersham, one of the 5,500 patients we cared for last year, shared at our Rock the Cure fundraising event in April:

“What the heck am I going to say? I didn’t know s*%# about cancer. Then I got it. I did not care about cancer. And I definitely didn’t want to hear about breast cancer. Then I got it, and now I am in front of all of you talking about my breasts! So here goes. I’m sure there are a lot of cancer stories in this room tonight. Here is mine…

Hello everybody, my name is Tina, and last year, a week after my 47th birthday, I was diagnosed with breast cancer after my first mammogram. I had put off getting a mammogram year after year. A tumor the size of an almond blew up my life. My husband and I are full-time RVers and our plans were on hold until I got this figured out. This will be quick… right??? They found it early, and I’ll be fine… right? I’ll be back on the road seeing the country… right? 

My doctor called with the results and said I needed to decide where to go for treatment.  She gave me options like Sioux Falls or Omaha along with Sioux City. I was expected to make this important medical decision in a manner of minutes. There are so many variables to consider… like my dog. Who will take care of my dog? Oh, and my husband travels for work. So I said I’ll call you back with my decision and started talking with my family and friends.

‘You got to go to Sioux Falls, I hear so many good things about them,’ they said. But I have to drive an hour each way for each appointment and I have a dog and people who need me. I don’t know where to park and what if I need to stay up there. What if I have complications and I always have complications? I decided on June E. Nylen because I wanted to stay local where I have family and friends to help out if needed. That was the start of my cancer journey that would include chemotherapy, radiation, and genetic testing all at June E Nylen Cancer Center along with two surgeries. This was one of the best decisions I have ever made!

Unfortunately, I would have to walk into June Nylen as a patient.  Fortunately, they were there. My first appointment I was in disbelief. I looked at my husband and said this is happening… right? I truly thought it was a clerical error, like the lab mixed my results up with another woman and when they called my name the nurse would be like sorry our bad… you’re good to go! Of course that didn’t happen and I was now a cancer patient at June E. Nylen. 

So quick note on chemo. Everyone wants to hear about chemo. I was horrified when I heard the doctor say I needed chemo but I try to see the best of any situation. So I thought well at least I’ll lose weight. I am the only person I have ever heard of gaining weight during chemo. It’s true. When my taste would come back after each session, I would stuff my face.

Another quick story, after my first chemo session, which was rough, my husband was happily making dinner and I was despondent and said will I ever be happy again, will I ever laugh again, will I ever be funny again? He said ‘you weren’t funny before.’ I laughed and I made it through.

At June E. Nylen Cancer Center I had a crew of amazing medical professionals taking excellent care of me. Here are a few examples of these extraordinary people.

When I first started chemo I had a nose bleed that wouldn’t stop so I called and talked to a nurse. I was freaking out and she calmly said ‘Tina how are you doing.’  I scream-talked, my nose blah blah blah.  Again she said, ‘Tina how are you doing?’  I started crying because she was so caring and patient in that moment. It was a small moment that was so profound. I felt she understood how rough it was for me. She then gave me the medical advice to stop it. 

Olga is another wonderful nurse who got my chemo IVs started when they were causing problems each treatment. Her patience and skill is something I will never forget. She soothed me just walking into my chemo room.

Kara, my radiation tech, was a pit bull to the insurance company when they were dragging their feet and only approved 3 radiation sessions. I needed 20. 

There are so many more caring and competent people at June E. Nylen that I would like to thank. Ethan, Amy, Dr. Chaiken… Thank you for helping save my life. I won’t let it go to waste. We plan on heading out this month to hit the road and explore some more.

I’m not up here because I’m a good person. Actually, I think I am a mediocre person.  I’m doing this because this happened to me and it could happen to you. YOU might need their services. Maybe you came for the band and not the cancer but I hope you leave caring about it a little more. Thank you all for listening and contributing to this amazing facility - right here in Sioux City! You don’t need to go to Sioux Falls or Omaha!”

Tina at her third chemotherapy treatment.

Tina after her treatment. She is surprised her hair is now curly.

Tina and her husband, Charlie, doing what they love best - traveling with their RV.