Never too young
To many, Wilma Hurd Stovall appears to be like most women her age: intelligent, outgoing and attractive.
But there is more to her than meets the eye.
Four years ago, as a political science major at UC Davis, Wilma noticed what she described as a heavy feeling in her left breast. She went to the school's health center and was told not to worry. But she did. So she went to another doctor, who recommended vitamins. And then another doctor, who referred her to a physical therapist. She went to her gynecologist and was switched to a low dose birth control pill. For nearly two years, she was referred from physician to physician to physician - each telling her the same thing, not to worry. But she did.
Eventually, she made her way to Hoag Breast Care Center and Alice Police, M.D. One mammogram, three ultrasounds and one biopsy later, her worst fears were confirmed - Wilma had breast cancer. And she was only 24 years old.
One week after her diagnosis, Wilma underwent surgery. Her cancer was found to be a stage II and confined to the left breast. But along with her doctors, she made the decision to have both breasts removed due to the prevalence of breast cancer in her family - Wilma's two aunts both died of the disease in their mid 40s, and her grandmother was diagnosed with the disease at age 29.
Wilma is an energetic young woman who looks like the picture of health. She is fun loving, vivacious and optimistic. And she is also, at age 26, proof positive that breast cancer can strike young women.
Three months after her surgery, Wilma began chemotherapy treatments at Hoag Cancer Center. She refers to her surgeon, Alice Police, M.D., her medical oncologist, Neil Barth, M.D., her radiation oncologist, Craig Cox, M.D. and her plastic surgeon, Ashton Kaidi, M.D. as the "dream team." Wilma underwent a double mastectomy under Dr. Police's skillful hands, eight weeks of chemotherapy under the supervision of Dr. Barth, 36 rounds of radiation under Dr. Cox's guidance and breast reconstruction with Dr. Kaidi. "They were all fantastic," she says.
While Wilma's dream team diligently addressed the physical, it was Sandy Finestone and Hoag Cancer Center's breast cancer support group that kept Wilma whole. "The first time she went to the support group she was very frightened," says Sandy Finestone, PsyD, coordinator of Hoag's breast cancer support services. "Wilma is a different person today; strong, confident and sharing her experience and knowledge with others."
Like any young woman, Wilma has a group of girlfriends whom she considers trusted and fun. But it's the women at the support group that she feels closest to. "A bit like they're all veterans of the same war," offers her husband, Alex.
Today, Wilma is in good health - her cancer in remission. And although she is most definitely a cancer survivor, these days she is tackling a new role in her life: that of a newlywed. On September 5, 2004, she married her best friend of six years, Alex McClanahan, and is enjoying a wonderful new chapter in her life.
The new Mrs. McClanahan appreciates life one day at a time and along the way, tries to share her hard-earned education. Wilma's message to young women is simple: "Be aware. Know your body. When you feel that something is not quite right, follow your instincts. Be persistent. Learn the proper way to complete a breast self exam and practice it on a monthly basis. Get second and third opinions. And whatever you do, don't listen when someone tells you that you're too young to have cancer."
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