photo: Downtown Photo/Fort Lauderdale
“Losing my hair didn’t bother me because people would ask me what kind of cancer I had and that would give me an opportunity to explain the importance of self-examination.”
As with all cancers, early detection and treatment is key. Receiving the diagnosis in April, she had a lumpectomy right away, and began chemotherapy near the end of May. Becky just started radiation in September. Through the past seven months of surgery and treatments, Becky continued to work both jobs and didn’t miss a day. “It is what it is and I have to do what I have to do,” she says with confidence. Of course she’s had days when she felt sick from the chemo and radiation and had to deal with losing her hair, but Becky says she was raised to make the best of a bad situation. “Losing my hair didn’t bother me because people would ask me what kind of cancer I had and that would give me an opportunity to explain the importance of selfexamination,” she says. Becky has been very open about her story for that exact reason: Turning something bad into something good by educating others on the importance of early detection. She’s always happy to speak to media outlets about breast cancer, and she’s in the process of making a video to share her story. Becky also hopes to start a buddy program that will encourage women to remind friends and loved ones to perform regular self-exams. By Becky’s side through it all has been her husband of 26 years, Frank, a retired New York Policeman. Becky’s been on the City Commission since 2001, so the city COCONUT CREEK LIFE • OCTOBER 2013
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employees who adore her have rallied in support as well. Becky coaches the Coconut Creek Crush Softball team, whose players have been among her biggest supporters. “I couldn’t fight this without them,” she says. The girls on the team give plenty of credit to Becky as well, for all of her encouragement. And it’s not just the team that Becky has been there for. She’s been mentoring students for over 10 years and was named “Mentor of the Year” in 2012. She was also recognized that year by the Aging & Disability Resource Center, receiving the honor of induction into the Dr. Nan S. Hutchison Broward Senior Hall of Fame. With so many young women in her life as students and athletes, it was a shock to Becky for her to see how many young women were getting chemotherapy for breast cancer alongside her. That makes Becky’s mission of educating women of all ages even more important to her. “The greatest advice I can give is to perform a self-examination every month and get a mammogram once a year,” she stresses. Becky continues to work hard and not miss a beat as her treatment progresses, and her spirit is admirable. “I have always thought that it’s the little things that mean the most in life. Through this all I have tried to eat better, laugh more and have a positive attitude. I am a caring person and I will continue to fight for what I believe is right.” WWW.LIFEPUBS.COM • 31
9/24/13 4:43 PM