Kate Ainsley: 2013
After being diagnosed at age 33 following the discovery of a lump in her breast, Katie Ainsley focused on family, friends, her faith and staying positive throughout her treatment. She is now an advocate for healthy eating and living, including natural and alternative treatments.
From SCL’s October 2013 issue:
“I have always been an overly optimistic person; cancer hasn’t changed that. But I have a renewed appreciation for each day.”
And today…
“There is life after (breast) cancer! Five years ago, my life was turned upside down by my diagnosis; it was very overwhelming and exhausting. It was such an encouragement to see women fully living life after such a horrible diagnosis and I knew that’s how I wanted my journey to be. Cancer did not and still does not define me. It was a bump (a major and life-changing bump) in my life, but it didn’t stop me from living and thriving. After chemo, I was blessed to be able to have two more sweet babies and even start my own business, Thermography of Brevard, helping to prevent breast cancer and other diseases (in men, too) with thermographic scans.
Susan Ohlin: 2013
Susan Ohlin was diagnosed with breast cancer on July 27, 2010, and elected to have bilateral mastectomies (both breasts removed) and then immediate reconstruction. She also received chemotherapy for her cancer, which took an entire year. Cancer taught her to not put things off and to live every day.
From SCL’s October 2015 issue:
“I am an advocate for being your own advocate!”
And today:
“I am currently still receiving hormonal therapy now at seven years after diagnosis and enjoying a cancer-free life. I have a wonderful family and a beautiful granddaughter who is the joy of my life.”
Joni Oglesby: 2015
Joni Oglesby was diagnosed with breast cancer in November of 2012, and elected to have bilateral mastectomies and then immediate reconstruction. She takes her “super pill” every day to maintain a cancer-free status. Oglesby says, “A cancer diagnosis makes you take stock of your life. Things that you thought were important are not as important, while other things that previously were not so important now have
huge importance.”
From SCL’s October
2015 issue:
“Your journey is unique to you. There’s a healing time that is different for each individual and there are different levels of healing.”
And today:
“I turned 60 this year and decided to have 60 celebrations throughout the year to mark the occasion! So far, I’ve cruised to the Bahamas, taken a riverboat cruise, and a long road trip with my husband. On our road trip, we went to Amelia Island, Savannah, Charleston, Myrtle Beach, Charlotte, Ashville, and Augusta. I’ve also visited my family in Austin, San Antonio, and Beaumont, Texas several times. And so far, this year, I have celebrated with friends 38 times! I have 22 more celebrations to go! I play with my 20-month old granddaughter most weekends, which means I get to see my son and daughter-in-law! I have nephews who live near me so I get to spend time with them and their families as well.”
“I’m so grateful for my life and, for as long as I’m living, I vow to live my life to the fullest!”
Heather McCullough: 2013
At the age of 25 with Stage III breast cancer, Heather turned to her faith as a source of comfort and inspiration. “At times I felt discouraged and uncomfortable but no matter what those days brought, I never lost hope in God’s truth and knew there was light at the end of
the tunnel.”
From SCL’s October 2013 issue:
“I have learned the true meaning of inner beauty and that hair and outer beauty does not make you beautiful.”
And today…
“It’s interesting that SpaceCoast Living reached out to me when it did. I’ve just found out my breast cancer is back and it’s stage IV. On a happy note, I was blessed to have a beautiful healthy baby boy 10 months ago and I just recently celebrated my 5-year anniversary with my husband. I know that God is faithful just by looking into my son’s big brown eyes. God got me through cancer the first time 5 years ago and I know that He will guide me through it this time. I have my fears about my son Jackson growing up without a mommy, but my faith is stronger than my fear. And I have to submit my life to God’s plans and His will. I will not let fear keep me from following God, for I know that He will always love me and never leave me. I knew this day could come and cancer “could” viciously return to wreak havoc in my body again I just didn’t think it would be right now. However, it is my hope that God uses this trial to impact the lives of people around me.” As Psalm 27:1 says “The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?”
Susan Wright: 2013
In 2006, Susan Wright found a hard lump under her right arm and was given the diagnosis of Type 2A, 3R Negative. “I thank my family; all three of my sons were compassionate and encouraging. Eric (Eric Wright, SpaceCoast Living’s Publisher), my husband, encouraged me to get checked out quickly. He, along with the Lord, were my strength.”
From SCL’s October 2013 issue:
“Be more compassionate with the personalities of those around you. You may not know what’s going on inside of them due to their present situations or even what happened in their past.”
And today…
“The real story of a survivor is not just how we made it through one of the most trying experiences of our life: the diagnosis, the surgery, the chemo, the radiation, losing your hair and then more surgeries to put you back together again. It is what you experience on the other side. How your faith in God’s love has grown. How I’m able to savor being a part of the lives of my four grandchildren that have come along since. It makes you realize what a precious gift life itself is.”