BIDDEFORD — In October 2006, DeeAnne Townsend of Biddeford found a lump on one of her breasts. She didn’t do anything about it right away.
“My New Year’s resolution was to get tested,” said Townsend.
When she went to her doctor and had tests performed in 2007, the results came back positive.
At age 39, Townsend was diagnosed with stage llA breast cancer, an invasive type of the cancer in which a tumor may or may not be present on the breast, and in which the cancer may have spread to the lymph nodes.
To treat the cancer, “I had some lymph nodes removed,” said Townsend. Also, “I went through a bilateral mastectomy, radiation and chemotherapy with breast reconstruction.”
Since the type of cancer she has is driven by estrogen hormones, she also had a complete hysterectomy, including the removal of her ovaries, at the advice of her doctors.
Despite the aggressive treatment of her cancer, Townsend had a reoccurrence of her cancer in 2011. At that time, doctors found that Townsend had advanced to stage IV, the final stage of the disease.
In stage IV, the cancer has spread beyond the breast and nearby lymph nodes to other organs in the body, such as but not limited to the lungs, distant lymph nodes, the liver or bones. In Townsend’s case, the disease has spread to her bones.
Townsend isn’t fighting her disease alone. Earlier this year in May, her sister, Diane Wildes of Saco, was also diagnosed with the same type of breast cancer that Townsend herself has.
Townsend prefers to focus on the positive aspects of her life rather than her disease.
“I’m just so grateful to be here today,” she said. “Now I live for the moment.”
Townsend’s mantra is, “Positive mind, positive attitude brings you to wondrous places.”
Although stage IV is the final stage of breast cancer, Townsend focuses on that fact that people can live for years at that stage. She said she is looking forward to attending her daughter’s wedding next year.
There is a silver lining to her diagnosis. It’s brought the family closer together, said her other sister, Doreen Townsend.
While their family, which originally consisted of nine siblings ”“ two have died ”“ has spread out, last year, their family spent their first Christmas together in many years.
Another way the family has been affected by the breast cancer diagnosis of the two sisters is less positive.
“It’s a big factor in our family, which one is going to be next,” said Doreen Townsend.
None of the other siblings will necessarily develop breast cancer. DeeAnne Townsend was tested to see if her form of cancer was genetic. She recently found out it is not.
To make sure that if they get breast cancer they detect it early, Doreen Townsend said she and her other sisters have mammograms every six months.
Both sisters urge all women, especially those age 40 and older, to do monthly self-exams and have yearly mammograms.
Those who want to support DeeAnne and Diane can do so by attending a fundraiser at the Biddeford Eagles Aerie 804 at 57 Birch St. in Biddeford on Saturday, Oct. 19. The event is being held in October in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Proceeds from the event will help the women pay off medical bills and other bills associated with their diseases.
Don Shoemaker, president of the local Eagles, said his organization is putting on the fundraiser because “that’s why we’re here.”
Although people may not be aware, the Eagles is of the largest nonprofit organizations in the world, he said.
At the Biddeford aerie, said Shoemaker, “we try to keep a lot of money locally.”
He said the group tries to help members and their families who are in need; Doreen Townsend is an Eagles member. They also help people in the community when they can.
“With times the way they are,” said Shoemaker, “it’s heartwarming to know we do things at this level.”
The fundraiser for the sisters includes a silent auction and 50/50 raffle, starting at 3 p.m. with the drawing at 7:30 p.m.; a dinner, from 4-6 p.m., featuring glazed ham and fixings or a hot, open-faced chicken sandwich with gravy, and dessert; and dancing to the Country North Band from 7-11 p.m. The cost for the dinner and dance is $10; dance only is $5. Tickets are available at the Biddeford Eagles. For more information, contact Doreen Townsend at 604-9700.
Those who cannot afford a mammogram may be eligible for a free screening through the Maine CDC Breast and Cervical Health Program, which is funded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and with Maine general fund dollars. For more information about the program call 287-8068 or the toll free number, 800-350-5180, or write to Maine CDC Breast and Cervical Health Program, DHHS/Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention/Division of Population Health, 286 Water St., Key Plaza Building, 4th Floor, 11 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0011.
— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 324 or dmendros@journaltribune.com.
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