Marion VA Health Care System Employee Shares Inspiring Journey Through Breast Cancer
Navigating a breast cancer diagnosis can be a daunting experience. For one of Marion VA Health Care System's own, the journey was filled with a mix of emotions and challenges. Upon receiving the diagnosis, our employee felt terrified and overwhelmed.
"There were so many different emotions going through my head; it’s hard to put them all into words," shares Shawna Kerley.
Shawna’s background as a VA staff member working as an LPN, provided a unique perspective on her treatment journey. "I was able to approach the steps more clinically when it came to my diagnosis and treatment plan because of my nursing background and experiences as a VA employee," she explained.
The biggest challenge Shawna faced was losing her hair, a deeply emotional experience. "As a mom and wife, worrying about how your family will handle it, their mental health, all while navigating my own fears was tough," she admitted. Overcoming these challenges was possible due to the support from her workplace, community, and church. "I prayed a lot," she added.
Surviving breast cancer has given her a newfound appreciation for life and her role within the VA community. To veterans facing a similar diagnosis, her advice is simple yet profound: "Stay positive. Try to find joy in every day you have here, even when it is hard."
The support from colleagues and the VA community has been instrumental in her healing process. Her colleagues were always checking up on here to see how she was doing during her treatments. On Wednesdays, the staff wear pink to remind her that she is not alone – she has support from her teammates.
She emphasized the importance of awareness and early detection in the fight against breast cancer, especially within the veteran population. "Early detection is key to success throughout the treatment of this. Making sure you are doing self-breast exams, getting routine mammograms, being aware of your body, and reporting changes to your provider quickly," she urged. Catching her cancer early was crucial. Her cancer was the aggressive type, fortunately for her, she was able to detect it early enough and immediately notified her doctor. Had she not been as cautious, it may have been too late for her.
Looking ahead, she envisions using her experience to inspire and support others on their cancer journeys. "Just being there for others who may go through this. As someone to vent to, someone to answer questions, or anything they need really. This is an emotionally draining experience so to just be a support in any form is so helpful," she said.
As Breast Cancer Awareness Month is honored, her message to fellow veterans and their families is clear:
"Early detection is key."