Keep dancing: Beverly’s breast cancer journey
In early January 2024, Mitchell’s breast cancer treatment began when general surgeon Yaning Zhang, MD, performed a lumpectomy. Mitchell shares, “From the first time I talked with him, he really listened to me. He was very caring and concerned. He and his team checked in on me regularly. He was just awesome.”
Mitchell, who serves as a case manager for the Tri-County Community Action Agency Domestic Violence Agency in South Boston, VA, says she takes comfort in the types of messages of support she often shares with her clients. “I know my diagnosis is serious, but my work has taught me the value of staying focused on the positive,” she says.
It’s your journey
Mitchell approaches her situation with determined positivity and the goal of taking one treatment at a time. She says her advice to cancer patients is simple: “Your attitude matters. Try to take one day and one treatment at a time. Your journey is unique, and everyone goes through it differently. One person may have side effects that you might or might not have – it depends. But you can’t rely on someone else’s journey.”Mitchell learned this lesson the hard way. She opted for a chemo port after initial reluctance, a decision she now appreciates for its convenience during treatments. “I was Googling too much, and it’s just telling you so much bad stuff,” she explains. “But it really wasn’t scary getting the port, and it makes my treatments and blood draws so much easier.”
Mitchell currently receives weekly chemotherapy treatments at Sentara Halifax Hospital.
Throughout her chemotherapy regimen, Mitchell says her oncologist, Boris M. Darovsky, MD, and the infusion center nurse practitioner provide medical guidance and a listening ear. She feels thankful she hasn’t had major issues seven treatments into chemotherapy, though she does feel fatigued at times. “When I’m tired, I rest. It’s not helpful to push yourself too far,” she shares.
She also wants new cancer patients to know that it’s okay to choose when and with whom they share their diagnosis. She explains, “I’m not embarrassed about having cancer, but I want to protect my heart – I didn’t want to hear everyone’s stories at the beginning. So I only told the people I was ready to talk to about it.”
Don’t look too far down the road
“I know a diagnosis is hard,” Mitchell says. So, if you can, try to keep your mind from going too far down the road. Once I got the diagnosis, I tried to focus on the bright side and how to get better. I said to my doctor, “Okay, where do we go from here.”She also relies on prayer and asking her doctors questions. “Don’t just make assumptions,” Mitchell says, “Ask the questions and then read up on what they share.”
Mitchell is thankful for the support of her family and friends, including her three grown children, as well as other family members and friends who are with her all along the way. “I have a circle of friends who are wonderful, including a friend who goes with me to all treatments. She has the patience of Job,” laughs Mitchell.
Cancer doesn’t define her
Despite the physical and emotional toll of her treatments, Mitchell refuses to let cancer define her life. Her commitment to her work and passion for dance with Essence of Movement Dance Studio serve as powerful distractions, allowing her to escape the weight of her illness. “I’m not thinking about my diagnosis during dance class. It gives me something to look forward to and helps with energy,” Mitchell explains.
As she counts down her remaining chemo treatments, Mitchell is preparing for her next step, radiation treatment. But she eagerly anticipates the day when she can celebrate her victory over cancer. “I’ve already decided I’m going to have myself a victory sneaker party,” she laughs. “I’ve got theme colors of pink and black picked out – and everyone will wear sneakers and celebrate the end of treatment with me.”
“Set your goals and pick something special to do after treatment,” she advises other cancer patients.
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