During the month of October we are sharing stories from women whose lives and experiences have been shaped by a breast cancer diagnosis. We hope these stories will help provide comfort and courage to others whose lives have been touched by cancer.

Wanda Norris credits a mammogram with saving her life and she encourages all women 40 and older to be faithful about having the annual screening. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2010 after it was detected on her annual mammogram.

Undergoing an ultrasound, followed by a biopsy, Wanda said the hardest part was waiting for a definitive answer. The pathology was sent to the Mayo Clinic after the results were inconclusive. “That was a rough time,” she said, learning it was cancer several weeks later. However, Wanda credits Sarah Bush Lincoln Radiologist Matthew Jones, MD, for his diligence in seeking immediate testing. She is thankful it was discovered in the early stages, since her mom had been diagnosed five years earlier.

Wanda underwent a partial mastectomy followed by 33 radiation treatments. She is grateful for the support of family and friends during this time. “Prayers and well wishes helped provide the emotional support I needed and were a lifeline for me,” she said. Despite being incredibly tired and enduring tender skin throughout her treatments, she learned to focus on all the positives in her life and be grateful. “Looking back, it seemed like it took me ‘forever’ to return to my hobbies. It was a year and a half to two years before I returned to crocheting and sewing. It took quite a while for me to feel ‘normal’ again,” she said.

In July, Wanda celebrated being cancer free for five years. Working as a nurse at Sarah Bush Lincoln’s Sullivan Clinic, she is starting to share her story more – especially with woman who are reluctant to have a mammogram. “I do run into patients who won’t even consider having a mammogram,” she said. I try to encourage women to consider testing, letting them know the digital mammogram is better than previous methods.