NEWBERRY — Mary Nell Riddle, an almost eight year breast cancer survivor, is hoping that through her experience she can raise awareness about early detection and encourage women to have regular mammograms performed.

Riddle was first diagnosed in January 2010 when she went to the doctor for a mammogram, although she suspected she had cancer in November 2009.

“I didn’t go for the biopsy or anything until later because I had family coming for Thanksgiving and then there was Christmas and I actually put it off, which was not smart. I am a big proponent of early detection because that is the prevention. Don’t wait until you find it yourself. Go have mammograms,” Riddle said.

Riddle added that a lot of women do not have regular mammograms performed, missing the importance that they have on your health.

Upon receiving her diagnosis, Riddle had a lumpectomy and went through 35 rounds of radiation, without having to have chemotherapy.

According to UPMC Health Beat, chemotherapy is a “systematic” treatment that works to prevent spreading of the disease. Drugs wills vary depending on the type and stage of cancer along with the patient’s age and health. Chemo can be injected into a muscle, vein or artery, orally, injection into the body such as the abdomen and direct skin application. One of the most common side effects of chemo is hair loss.

Radiation uses high-energy particle or wave to destroy cancer cells. It is delivered using special equipment that sends high doses of radiation to the cancer cells or tumor, although radiation also help minimize bone pain and can be administered internally or externally.

“Radiation is not hard. It might wear you out a little bit, but it is nothing like chemotherapy,” Riddle said.

Riddle was able to receive her treatments in Newberry, where she had nothing but good things to say.

“I could not say enough good things about Newberry Hospital and Newberry Oncology, where I had everything done. They were wonderful,” Riddle said.

At the time of her diagnosis, Riddle was a teacher at Newberry High School, and said that during her planning periods she would leave for radiation treatments every day for about a month.

“I was very fortunate that administration worked with me. I went for my treatments during my planning period. They were very good to me and my students didn’t know it, and even some of the teachers didn’t know it. Teachers that I was closest to did, but there were a lot of people who knew nothing about it,” she said.

Throughout her diagnosis, her family was right there by her side.

“My family is everything. They were very supportive, not only my husband and children, but my two brothers as well. I had a lot of very good friends who were supportive too,” Riddle said.

Now, almost eight years later, Riddle makes trips to the Oncologist once a year and goes for her regular mammograms.

“I wouldn’t even call it remission, I would just say it’s gone,” Riddle said. “It’s a frightening situation, but don’t think that you can’t overcome it, because you certainly can.”

Mary Nell Riddle has been cancer free for almost eight years.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/web1_Riddle.jpgMary Nell Riddle has been cancer free for almost eight years. Courtesy photo

By Kelly Duncan

kduncan@newberryobserver.com

Reach Kelly Duncan at 803-768-3123 ext. 1868 or on Twitter @TheNBOnews.