In honor of Glenda Stone
“One month prior to my 50th birthday, I found a lump in my breast,” says Glenda Stone of Durham. She was scheduled for her annual mammogram in a couple of weeks, so this lump frightened her. Her gynecologist saw her quickly and referred her for a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound to learn what the lump was. This was followed by a biopsy at UNC Lineberger. “Waiting for those results was agonizing,” Stone explains, “but I went ahead with a business trip where I had to make a presentation. It kept my focus off the lump.” Stone is a Manager with GlaxoSmithKline.
Stone had booked a cruise to celebrate her 50th birthday, “but now I didn’t know if I should go or not.” A friend had heard Dr. Keith Amos, UNC Lineberger surgical oncologist, speak at an event and suggested that Stone call him. “I was seen quickly, and Dr. Amos confirmed that I had invasive breast cancer.” He told Stone to go on her cruise since the tumor was small and slow growing. She underwent surgery a month later when Dr. Amos removed the tumor and several lymph nodes. Since the cancer had spread to the lymph nodes, a second surgery was performed to remove all the nodes in the area of the tumor.
Stone remembers that “I had enormous pain and couldn’t lift my arm.” But her biggest fear was of the upcoming chemotherapy. "Dr. Claire Dees was so encouraging. She suggested that I view the regimen as four very tough doses, followed by four less challenging doses. After my first chemo, I told myself “I’m 25% finished with the heavy doses’ and that helped.”
Stone had a reaction to one of the drugs, but a dose adjustment corrected the problem. Following her chemotherapy, Stone underwent six weeks of radiation with Dr. Jan Halle. “Dr. Halle suggested that I go to a physical therapist to work with my arm, and that was very helpful,” Stone explains.
Stone is grateful for all the support she received from her friends and family. Prior to being diagnosed, she had recently moved to Durham and joined a church. “My friends and church family helped me so much,” Stone says. “They came with me to chemo, dropped by to check on me, and brought me food.” Her two sons, both college students in Michigan, and her former husband came for Thanksgiving and accompanied her to therapy and provided “round-the-clock care and support.”
Stone suggests that newly diagnosed cancer patients “find a physician they feel comfortable with and trust because it’s going to be a long journey.” Stone lives in Durham, but chose to have her care at UNC because “I wanted to stay with my team. The drive to Chapel Hill was worth it to me for the comfort factor.”