GREEN BAY, Wis (WBAY) – It’s pretty hard to find someone who is not affected by cancer in some way.
February 4 is World Cancer Day, 24 hours. Extra attention is paid to awareness and education about the disease.
A doctor and a Green Bay mom share messages of encouragement and inspiration in the hopes that their personal stories will help others stay healthy.
“I had no reason to be a cancer patient. I eat healthy. I’m active. I had no symptoms, no warning signs. There was no reason to think that I was going to plan for a mammogram and would come back with the news that it was a significant mass that had to be removed, ”says Paula Wilde.
Yet Paula, wife and mother of two daughters, found her in October.
Two weeks later she underwent surgery.
That same month, her best friend, who is also battling breast cancer, loses her battle.
“She’s not here to walk me through, but I feel like she’s almost prepared me in some way,” Paula says.
While she has an amazing support team, COVID forced her to go through only the most difficult parts, such as surgery.
‘My husband and daughters dropped me off at the door and picked me up the next day. You go to the chemo yourself every time. I’m alone, which makes it extra scary, I think, ‘says Paula.
But she does not want it to discourage people from conducting their routine investigations or watching something that does not look right.
Actually, she’s trying to do the exact opposite.
So she steps out of her comfort zone to share her story.
‘You do not think you will ever be the person sitting on my seat. And if I could just help one person keep an appointment or think about it and do something, and maybe, you know, heaven forbid, discover something they would not have at an early stage or in general , just because I came here and talked about it, I’m glad to do it, ”says Paula.
‘Every day is Cancer Day. You know, the people who deal with it … it’s like a cloud hanging over your head where you can not get out from under it, ‘says Nick Grimm, medical assistant of plastic surgery and skin specialists at BayCare Clinic.
Grimm sees cancer from the other side.
“I think it has a huge impact on everyone’s lives. My wife is a cancer survivor. This day has a special place for me, ‘he says.
He experienced its impact not only personally but also professionally.
Grimm estimates that he treats more than 1,500 skin cancer patients annually.
“I think as healthcare providers this is what we are really trying to do to ensure that we try to minimize the impact of cancer on people’s lives by not only early detection in the case of skin cancer, but reasonable treatment for skin cancer,” Grimm explains .
Paula acknowledges the commitment of health workers.
She acknowledges a persistent radiologist for detecting what could have been easily missed.
“She’s amazing and probably saved my life,” says Paula.
Grimm and Paula appeal to others to take their messages to heart not only on World Cancer Day but every day, no matter what the calendar reads.
“(I’m) grateful that I kept the appointment, even though I had no reason to feel I had to go,” Paula adds.
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