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Breast Cancer Awareness, Prevention and Education

Area Women Share Their Stories

Pink

Survivors

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Never Give Up

By Shannon Serpette Pregnancy isn’t easy in the best of conditions, and for Jade Magnafici of Oglesby, pregnancy coincided with her breast cancer diagnosis.

“I found out I was pregnant on the same day that I was diagnosed,” she said.

Magnafici, who was diagnosed in 2018 with Stage 2 cancer, was only 31 at the time. The possibility of having cancer wasn’t on her radar at all and came as a complete shock.

“My husband at the time and I were trying to get pregnant. One day, I had severe breast tenderness and a sharp pain in one particular area. I was hoping it meant I was pregnant,” she said. “I went home that night after work and was holding onto the ‘girls’ to try to relieve some of the pressure I was feeling, and I felt a lump.”

“I think that’s important to point out because a lot of times you read that cancer isn’t painful or that it’s a hard lump,” she continued. “The sharp pain I was feeling was in the exact spot that my tumor was. My tumor (which turned out to be two tumors right next to each other) was soft and moved freely under my skin.

My doctor even said it felt like a cyst, not a tumor. Needless to say, we were both a little shocked when we got the results.”

Since she was in the first trimester of pregnancy, her treatment plan had to be modified.

“I had to wait until I was 12 weeks pregnant to do anything. You can’t start chemo until you’re in your second trimester, so I started with a double mastectomy the day I was 12 weeks pregnant,” she said.

Magnafici remembers how shocked she was to learn doctors were recommending chemotherapy during her pregnancy.

“I was like, ‘What? You can’t even eat lunch meat when you’re pregnant,’” she said.

She started chemo when she was 18 weeks pregnant and gave birth to her healthy daughter, Sienna, when she was 37 weeks pregnant. She then finished her chemo treatments, had her ovaries and tubes removed because of the threat of cancer recurrence, and had 33 radiation treatments. She now takes a pill every day for the next 10 to 12 years.

It was a long, hard journey, but Magnafici tried to stay strong for her baby girl. She said her family became a huge source of support for her.

“I was very fortunate to have the biggest support system. My mom was, and is, so amazing. She slept on my couch with two large dogs for 10 days after I had my surgery.

She never let me go to any appointments alone. She never missed a chemo treatment, which basically took all day,” Magnafici said.

“My grandma would come and sit with me and do my laundry. My family made sure that nothing changed for my 8-year-old son,” she said. “My sister and I were both pregnant at that time, and she always made me feel like I was still ‘normal.’ She’s always been my comedic relief when things feel too heavy. They never treated me like I was sick, and I think that had such a positive influence on me. It wasn’t one thing they said or did. It was the collective fact that they never changed the way they treated me. I was still just Jade.”

For Magnafici, one of the hardest parts of dealing with cancer is the constant worry it causes still to this day.

“Now that I am three years out from my diagnosis, the hardest part is knowing that I’ll never wake up and not think about cancer. It’s not at the forefront of my mind, but it’s

Breast cancer survivors share their stories

Rose Ann Folger of Mark was diagnosed with Stage 3A breast cancer on July 28, 2010. She credits support groups, particularly the Pink Ribbon Club, with being an endless source of information, inspiration, and friendship opportunities.

PHOTO BY SHANNON SERPETTE

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Megan Cullinan of Peru has been tracking her hair regrowth progress on social media, and she also wrote about her cancer journey on her blog, rebelcancerwar.wordpress.com.

PHOTO BY SHANNON SERPETTE

Jade Magnafici and her daughter, Sienna, went through Jade’s breast cancer journey together. Jade had surgery and chemotherapy while pregnant, and 33 radiation treatments after her daughter was born.

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said. “My family and friends also listened to me when I was ready to talk about what I was going through, but didn’t push me to talk about it when I didn’t want to. Getting messages of support throughout my treatment also really helped.”

Even with support, chemo was difficult for her.

“The most difficult part about having cancer was definitely the side effects from chemo. I never really knew how I’d feel from one day to the next. There were many days I just didn’t feel like myself and couldn’t enjoy anything,” she said.

Like Magnafici, Cullinan did notice that some good things happened as a result of her battle with cancer.

“I had many positive things come out of cancer. After treatment, I felt a renewed sense of purpose, and I allow myself to focus on enjoying life more. I speak my mind more often and continue to keep a positive mindset. I definitely don’t sweat the small stuff as much anymore,” she said.

Another survivor, Tammie Cavaletto, 54, of Oglesby, was diagnosed at Stage 1 in 2015 and underwent a double mastectomy. She had no symptoms, and her cancer was found because a lump was felt.

She found one of the hardest parts of having cancer was trying to do ordinary caretaking things, like cooking, when she felt overwhelmed physically and mentally.

“The hardest part was cooking after surgery, so when someone dropped off food, it was greatly appreciated,” she said.

Like other breast cancer survivors, Cavaletto tried to find some good in her journey.

“You realize what is important in life – family and close friends. Life is not a given for anyone, so enjoy what you do have,” Cavaletto said.

No matter what a person’s breast cancer journey is like, one thing remains the same – they all need support from someone. Rose Ann Folger of Mark, a breast cancer survivor diagnosed at Stage 3A in 2010 with multiple types of breast cancer when

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always there. I’ll never have a pain and not immediately think that the cancer is back. I definitely took good health for granted,” she said.

But having breast cancer, and being able to survive it, did come with some unexpected silver linings for her.

“I always say that having cancer was the biggest blessing in disguise.

I wasn’t able to see it while in the thick of things, but I can see it now.

It made me slow down. I was the type of person that would reach a goal and immediately think about the next goal I needed to reach. Now, I realize that everything I have at this moment is everything I once wished for,” she said. “I now enjoy the here and now instead of always looking to the next thing. Cancer has shown me what’s truly important in life--my kids, my family, myself. I have really come to understand the saying, ‘You can’t pour from an empty cup.’ It’s not selfish to take care of yourself.”

Another Illinois Valley woman diagnosed with breast cancer at an early age is Megan Cullinan of Peru.

Now 40 years old, she was diagnosed with late Stage 1/early Stage 2, HER2- and ER-positive breast cancer when she was 35 years old.

Cullinan found her cancer while doing a self-exam, and she feels immensely lucky she found it when she did. She had no reason to suspect she might have cancer due to her young age and having no family history. And since she was still too young for routine mammograms, if she hadn’t done her self-exam and found the lump, the cancer could have been much worse by the time it was discovered by other means.

Even with the lump, Cullinan said she was dismissed by one doctor.

“I got a second opinion, and I’m so glad I did,” she said.

She finished her treatment in 2017, going to both Northwestern Hospital in Chicago and Illinois CancerCare in Peru for her treatments.

“I think the best support I had was from my family taking care of transporting me to Chicago for all of my appointments and treatments. It was one less thing I had to worry about, which helped immensely,” Cullinan

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6

A Class Act

This high school teacher shares the story of her cancer battle

By Shannon Serpette

When doctors tell their patients that routine mammograms can save lives, they could use Sally Taliani of LaSalle as an example of that. This Ottawa Township High School teacher’s routine mammogram in 2015 spotted breast cancer when she was just 41 years old.

Taliani has been grateful ever since that she opted to get that routine mammogram.

“I am so thankful because my cancer was very aggressive,” she said.

She was at Stage 2 when she was first diagnosed.

“I received chemotherapy, a lumpectomy, radiation, and one full year of Herceptin. I also did hormone shots monthly for 13 months and continue to take Tamoxifen daily,” Taliani said.

It wasn’t easy to get a breast cancer diagnosis, but Taliani’s friends and family rallied around her to help her through.

“I was fortunate to have an amazing support system. Friends, family, and co-workers would check in with me to see if I needed anything,” she said.

“I also contacted Cleaning For A Reason and they set it up with Illinois Valley Clean Team to come and clean my home for free while I was going through chemotherapy.”

Other friends gave her a morale boost with their memorable comments and words of support.

“A good friend told me that he knew I would get through this because I am tougher than a two-dollar steak. That made me smile, and I use that to help others in times of need,” Taliani said.

That toughness took center stage during her fight with cancer, and Taliani was determined not to let cancer control her.

“I continued to work as much as possible. I am a high school teacher, and people were surprised that I was in good spirits. I just felt like they thought I should just crawl in a hole and stay there until I was done with treatment. This just fueled me to show them that I had this and I was not going to let cancer run my life,” she said.

Even with her can-do attitude, there were some heartbreaking moments for Taliani – and that’s normal for even the most positive of cancer warriors. Losing her hair, for instance, was a difficult blow to handle.

“I know it’s vain, but that was hard for me and after we shaved my head, I took control back and was much better,” she said.

Seeing the emotional toll her cancer had on her loved ones was also difficult.

“Watching my parents struggle with watching me go through this, wishing it was either one of them instead of me, was something I will never forget,” she said.

The emotional support a breast cancer patient receives from their family and friends can help them get through those hard days. Taliani shares her hard-earned wisdom, offering advice on what people can do to support their loved ones who are going through cancer.

“Listen to them. Let them talk, vent, cry, laugh, whatever. Just be there and listen,” she said.

Now at 47 years old, Taliani likes to focus on the positive changes that came out of her cancer experience.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Ottawa Township High School teacher Sally Taliani was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015. Although it was a difficult journey, Taliani said her life has changed for the better as a result of her experience.

“My life has changed for the better. I met new people, gained newfound confidence in myself.

I also met a worker at my cancer clinic, Illinois CancerCare, and we became so close that she is now married to my brother-in-law. So, I have new

family from my cancer journey,” she said.

For those who have just received a breast cancer diagnosis, Taliani offers these words of support: “You’ve got this. You are a perfect mix of princess, or prince, and warrior. Don’t forget that.”

Advice for those just starting their breast cancer journey

By Shannon Serpette “You have breast cancer.” Those four words are life-changing. If you’ve recently been diagnosed with breast cancer, you’re joining a club you never wanted membership in. While

“You’ve got this. You are a perfect mix of princess, or prince, and warrior. Don’t forget that.”

– Sally Taliani of LaSalle

“Remember, you’re never alone. There’s somebody out there to help. All kinds of support are available.”

you likely have your own support team, sometimes it’s best to get advice from people who have experienced breast cancer firsthand.

These Illinois Valley breast cancer

survivors have experience and wisdom when it comes to handling the emotional, mental, and physical impact of this disease.

“Take it one day at a time. If you start to look too far ahead, it’s incredibly overwhelming. Some days, you have to take it one hour at a time. Be your own advocate and get more than one opinion.

This is your body and your treatment plan. You should be part of the decision-making process. Stay off of Google! It’s scary, and you will find worst-case scenarios that probably won’t happen to you or have nothing to do with your same type of cancer.”

– Jade Magnafici of Oglesby

“Read all you can. Talk to people who have went through your same cancer and treatment plan. Accept help.”

“The best advice I can give to someone who has received a cancer diagnosis is to allow yourself to go through those emotions of anger, grief, sadness, etc. Do whatever you can to work through them so you can find the strength, hope, and drive to do what you have to do to get through it. I tried to stay as positive as I could, and it helped to know what my plan was so I could focus on each step.”

– Tammie Cavaletto of Oglesby

– Megan Cullinan of Peru

– Rose Ann Folger of Mark

BEING THERE Helping Your Loved One with Their Cancer Fight

By Shannon Serpette When your loved one has been diagnosed with cancer, your first instinct is to help them in any way you can. But you may be unsure what you should say or do. A few breast cancer survivors from the Illinois Valley have offered some advice about what is helpful to say to and do for those going through cancer. They’ve also shared what people might want to avoid saying or doing, based on their own experiences.

interact with people, but knowing that they were there when I needed them was very relieving.” – Megan Cullinan of Peru “Don’t treat them like they are sick. Don’t give them the pity look. We are the same person on the inside, and when people look at you like you’re fragile or you’re going to break, you feel like you’re going to break. Still invite them places. They will probably not come, but they need to know that they’re still important and part of the group. Don’t wait for them to ask for help.

Having cancer is exhausting. Most likely, they need something, but they are either too tired to ask or they feel bad asking for help.” – Jade Magnafici of Oglesby

SOME HELPFUL ADVICE “I think the best way to support someone who has cancer is to listen to them and let them work their emotions without telling them how they should feel. Offer to drive them to their treatment or make dinner.

And even just check in with them every once in a while without expectations because sometimes it was just too hard to

“Just to be there when needed. Don’t push because they will talk when they’re ready. Respect their privacy.” – Tammie Cavaletto of Oglesby “Let them talk, vent, cry, laugh, whatever.

Just be there and listen.” – Sally Taliani of LaSalle

WHAT TO AVOID SAYING OR DOING “The one thing I really didn’t like hearing from other people was when they would say they had a family member or friend that also had cancer but they passed away. I was well aware of what cancer could do, but I felt like trying to relate to what I was going through in that sense was very unhelpful.”

– Megan Cullinan of Peru “I knew everyone meant well. Sometimes it was difficult to hear, ‘You have to stay strong.’ It felt like a lot of pressure sometimes. I was strong, but sometimes you just need to cry it out, yell, ask WHY ME!?!

— and then pick yourself and move on.” – Jade Magnafici of Oglesby “You’ll be okay. They had no idea if I’d be okay.” – Tammie Cavaletto of Oglesby “I am a high school teacher, and people were surprised that I was in good spirits. I just felt like they thought I should just crawl in a hole and stay there until I was done with treatment. This just fueled me to show them that I had this and I was not going to let cancer run my life.” – Sally Taliani of LaSalle

Survivors FROM PAGE 3

she was 53 years old, urges all breast cancer survivors and those recently diagnosed to make sure they find the support they need.

“It was overwhelming,” Folger said about her diagnosis and all the information coming at her.

“What helped me was trying to find help.”

One of her favorite sources of support is the Pink Ribbon Club, a breast cancer support group that meets at 5:30 to 7 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of every month at First Congregational Church at 1431 4th Street in Peru. Through support group meetings, Folger said she has made many close friendships she wouldn’t have had if she had never been diagnosed with breast cancer.

“It is a sisterhood,” she said. “I don’t know what I would have done without them.”

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Sharing hard-earned lessons

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Breast Cancer Doesn’t Wait.

Neither Should You.

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