by Shannon Mayerl | Sep 23, 2020 | Survivor of the Week
I was diagnosed with stage 4 left lung cancer going on 3 years, I’m going strong just had my 43rd treatment and very blessed!
by Shannon Mayerl | Sep 15, 2020 | Survivor of the Week
On November 8, 2017 I was diagnosed with breast cancer stage 2 grade 3. After finding out it was genetic braca 2 we found it had spread to my lymph nodes and I had 17 lymph nodes removed. In January 2018 I started chemo and in August 2018 I did radiation. In April...
by Shannon Mayerl | Sep 8, 2020 | Survivor of the Week
November 2018, while in the shower, I found a lump in my right breast. I went for a mammogram and they did an ultrasound and said it was a cyst. They sent me home said women later in life get these and they go away. I was relieved and didn’t really think about...
by Shannon Mayerl | Sep 1, 2020 | Survivor of the Week
My story began when I was 15. I went to the doctor with a fever and they found my blood pressure was three digits over three digits. After rechecking several times, it was obvious something was wrong. I ended up at Vanderbilt. I had tumors in and around my adrenal...
by Shannon Mayerl | Aug 25, 2020 | Survivor of the Week
As with all cancers my diagnosis was unexpected, sudden and without warning. I was healthy, at least I thought I was, and living a full and happy life. No symptoms at all until one night I had a massive bleed when passing water. I didn’t panic or even expect the worst...
by Shannon Mayerl | Aug 18, 2020 | Survivor of the Week
About 6 months after I had my son I had appendicitis. It was treated with antibiotics and I was told I had a 75% chance of never getting sick again. I was part of that 25% that got sick again and found myself in and out of the hospital the next 10 months. Finally, I...
by Shannon Mayerl | Aug 11, 2020 | Survivor of the Week
In July of 2017 on a long (8hr) flight home from North Africa (where we spend a lot of our summers), I began to experience a different and painful cramp, almost like a contraction. I began bleeding heavily and felt ill. I felt bewildered because I had my mensural...
by Shannon Mayerl | Aug 4, 2020 | Survivor of the Week
I was diagnosed with stage 4 left lung cancer. At one point my oxygen level was 60, I was rushed to the hospital where they put in a drain and put me on oxygen. 2 months later the drain removed and off oxygen, I was able to mow my grass, do laundry, grocery shop...
by Shannon Mayerl | Jul 29, 2020 | Survivor of the Week
In June 2019, I was playing with my grandson on my lap. He stepped on my lap, when he did I felt a knot move. I went to my primary doctor who then sent me to a surgeon. I had surgery in the groin area in October 4, 2019. Within 72 hours my surgeon called me and said...
by Shannon Mayerl | Jul 20, 2020 | Survivor of the Week
In May, 2015, my daughter suggested I see a dermatologist about a spot on my forehead. It was diagnosed as pleomorphic t-cell lymphoma. My dermatologist sent me to a lymphoma oncologist at The University of Kansas Cancer Center because this was a rare cancer. My...
by Shannon Mayerl | Jul 7, 2020 | Survivor of the Week
Three years ago, on November 18th, 2016 I was diagnosed with stage 4B Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. On November 23, 2016, I would be starting chemo for the very first time. They said we needed to start right away, there was no time to wait. I had only weeks to live....
by Shannon Mayerl | Jun 30, 2020 | Survivor of the Week
Around 1990 I went in for an MRI and they found my tumor by mistake. After seeing a Neurologist, I was put on watch and wait because the tumor was considered a slow growing tumor and wasn’t causing issues. This tumor was located between my brainstem and...
by Shannon Mayerl | Jun 23, 2020 | Survivor of the Week
Let me start by saying I have never smoked a day in my life, so when I was diagnosed with esophageal cancer I was floored. My original diagnosis was in 2006. Battled with chemotherapy and radiation for 14 months. My second diagnosis was in 2012. 24 chemotherapy...
by Shannon Mayerl | Jun 15, 2020 | Survivor of the Week
For about two years I was having these symptoms: pelvic/abdominal pain, bloating, very fatigued, low back pain, feeling full quickly and indigestion. I did not know at the time that these were ovarian cancer symptoms. I went to my gynecologist, he did so many...
by Shannon Mayerl | Jun 9, 2020 | Survivor of the Week
I was diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkin’s lymphoma at age 13. I had chemotherapy for one whole year. I came close to dying but I never gave up. Having cancer at such a young age scared me but it also taught me a lot of things, like being grateful because you don’t know...
by Shannon Mayerl | Jun 1, 2020 | Survivor of the Week
I was 21 when I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. It has been a huge struggle despite having “the good cancer”. I have had 2 recurrences and found out I’m RAI resistant. I push through and share story when I can. Thyroid cancer isn’t one that...
by Shannon Mayerl | May 26, 2020 | Survivor of the Week
Margaret has breast cancer. She has overcome hundreds of pokes, tests and surgeries. The next 5 years she will have to continue a new way of life that she is not used to. Margaret will be 68 on May 28th, 2020. She is a noon aid at an elementary school and is loved by...
