my story
By Brandon Klein
Editor’s Note: “My Story” is a first-person column OR a Q&A feature of a New Albany community member that centers on health. Have a story to share? Email bklein@cityscenemediagroup.com. Submissions should be no more than 1,000 words.
Barker’s Game Plan
Local photographer shares her breast cancer journey
F
ran Barker, a former civil engineer turned New Albany photographer, lives with husband, Michael Barker, who works for the city of New Albany, and their two sons, Michael, 13, and Garrett, 11. This interview was edited for clarity and space. Healthy New Albany: What were the events leading up to your breast cancer diagnosis? Fran Barker: It was March of 2018 and I actually felt a lump in my right breast and it was extreme. It was something that you could actually feel just by the softest touch on my skin. It wasn’t something that you needed to press and poke and prod to feel. I had nothing similar to what I have felt before.
Barker receives a chemotherapy infusion while using the Paxman Scalp Cooling system in attempt to minimize hair loss at the Stefanie Spielman Comprehensive Breast Center.
A lot of women will tell you, “Oh, I’ve felt lumps, I’ve had cysts or different things and it’s just going to be benign.” We all have that, but quite honestly, as soon as I felt it, I knew it was something different than anything I had felt before, and the very next day I got into my family doctor. They did an exam and wanted to refer me over to the (Stefanie Spielman Comprehensive Breast Center at The Ohio State University) and I proceeded with a mammogram, ultrasound, biopsy – the whole nine yards. I was 39 years old. I had no history of cancer in my family at all. It was about a week until I went immediately for the mammogram and then it was about another week before the ultrasound and biopsy. So, from the day that I felt the lump to the day that I received a phone call with the diagnosis, it was about two weeks. I specifically remember I was in the car when they called – we 10
had been waiting all week for the phone call – and I answered it right away. And she said, “Can you talk, or is this a good time for you?” And I said of course. Right then and there, she told me that it was cancer. I had to basically ask her to hold on for a second while I pull over, get out a pen and paper, and write down some of the things that she was saying because I knew it was going to be a fog to remember. It was actually right on that phone call that she told me not only that it was breast cancer, but she told me the type of cancer it was and the hormone receptors. I knew right then and there on the phone that I was going to need chemo. HNA: How did the diagnosis affect you emotionally and professionally? FB: It was just a whirlwind of emotions. I’m very much a planner. I like to have things perfect as far as my work goes. Getting a cancer diagnosis, it takes everything out of your control and you’re at the mercy of the cancer and the medical staff, and for me, it was very difficult in those first several weeks while we were gathering information and making a game plan. Professionally, real early on in that first month, I basically just shut down everything. I needed such control over my session and I felt so out of control with cancer that I didn’t feel comfortable planning or taking on any clients without being able to give them 150 percent of myself. So, I backed away pretty quickly from work and then, over time as I went through treatment, I slowly did some things here and there. … I have to say that I am beyond blessed with the clients that I work with and everybody was just so understanding. www.healthynewalbanymagazine.com
Photos courtesy of Fran Barker
Barker underwent port placement surgery, an alternative to needle sticks in the arm. The nurses connect an IV to the port to provide chemotherapy and to do blood draws.
