2019 Day of Hope

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Day of Hope the sixth Annual

prouDly presenteD by

A B E N E F I T F O R M A R I A N C A N C E R C A R E PAT I E N T S AT M I S S I O N H O P E C A N C E R C E N T E R

Wednesday, April 10, 2019  |  santamariatimes.com

PETER KLEIN, CONTRIBUTOR‌

Susan Rodriquez practices yoga at Pismo Beach. In seeking her own improved health, Rodriguez opted to take a yoga instructors’ course. Now, in addition to owning and running her own insurance agency in SLO, she volunteers teaching yoga classes and offering Reiki at Mission Hope Cancer Center. She is also the author of a book, “Behind the Smiling Face,” a retelling of her cancer journey. All proceeds from sale of the book go to Mission Hope Cancer Center.

POSITIVITY

FIGHTING WITH

Susan Rodriguez finds the blessing in breast cancer diagnosis JENNIFER BEST

‌I

Contributing Writer‌

n seeking her own improved health, Susan Rodriguez discovered the path to improving others. Today, in addition to owning and operating her own insurance agency in San Luis Obispo, the Pismo Beach grandmother of seven volunteers as a yoga instructor at Mission Hope Cancer

Center, offers reiki at its infusion center, and is the author of “Behind the Smiling Face: My Journey with Breast Cancer,” a retelling of her own cancer journey and fundraiser for Mission Hope. “I believe, looking back, what really helped me the most in getting through, was my attitude,” Rodriguez said. Shortly after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer in March 2016, Rodriguez realized she would not be able to hide the results of her mastectomy nor the hair loss she knew her treatments would bring. Instead, she faced it all head on.

“When I told friends and family my diagnosis, they all asked, ‘Why you?’ Or they said, ‘It’s so unfair.’ That kind of stuff, but then I thought, why not me?’ One in eight people get breast cancer. Why shouldn’t it be me? I’m strong. I’m healthy. I have an amazing support network of friends and family, great health insurance, a business where I was able to hire extra people to help keep it running. I had so much that made it possible to do this journey without it killing me,” Rodriguez said. It was her sister who pushed Rodriguez to visit the doctor to

check out a discoloration on her lip that spring. “I had not been going to the doctor or going for mammograms for over five years,” Rodriguez said. A nurse found the lump in her breast. “From there, things just went like a whirlwind,” Rodriguez said. First one biopsy, then another for confirmation, led to a diagnosis: HER2-positive breast cancer, a more aggressive form of breast cancer which has a higher likelihood of recurring than its HER2-negative counterpoint. Rodriguez started chemotherapy and additional medications

immediately, had a full mastectomy, maintenance therapy, radiation, reconstruction surgeries and participated in a year-long clinical drug trial. “I wasn’t always smiling. It’s definitely a hard journey,” Rodriguez said. Instead of trying to hide the fact that she had cancer, she opted to post updates on social media. “In the pictures I posted, I was always careful to have a smiling face because I wanted people to believe I would be OK. And I am OK,” she said. Please see RODRIGUEZ, Page 4

Two-time breast cancer survivor ‘The whole package, says giving up was never an option plus a bag of chips!’ Edith Olea is urging other women to get checkups

Jimmy Jay Powell says Mission Hope’s care is the real deal

IVETTE PERALTA

JENNIFER BEST

Contributing Writer‌

Contributing Writer‌

‌ dith Olea, a strong advocate E for early breast cancer exams among her family and friends, never thought she would have to face cancer herself, not once, but two times. In March of 2010 she was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer, causing her to be bedridden for about a year. “My life changed so much in LEN WOOD STAFF‌ a matter of weeks after the diagnosis, but I knew I had to be Santa Maria resident Edith Olea’s battle with breast cancer with the help of the Mission Hope Cancer Center has led to a recent finding of Please see OLEA, Page 4 no residual disease.

‌To say Jimmy Jay Powell has a magnetic personality would be like saying the sun is warm. Even as the eloquent, 76-year-old Santa Maria man wends his way through rounds of radiation and chemotherapy, he offers grace, love and inspirational words for his neighbors, friends and fellow patients. “Wherever I find myself, I go to help somebody, and end up helping myself,” Jimmy Jay said. And through it all, he holds tightly to his teammate, his con-

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fidante, his wife: Hannah Powell. “Everything we do, we do as a team,” Jimmy Jay said. “We’re about judging beyond appearances, and obtaining the positive view of what we see. Nothing is as it appears to be.” Born and raised in Boyle Heights just east of downtown Los Angeles, Jimmy Jay always had difficulty keeping his feet planted in one place. “I’m from the metaphysical school of thought. My life has been full of experiences that are very spiritual and mystical. Since I was a kid, I’ve always had difficulty keeping my feet planted, so seeking to make things better has taken me halfway around the world,” Jimmy Jay said.

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