Ringing in the end of Cancer Treatments
Nine months after being diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer, Heather Wiggins of Pascagoula rang the Bell of Hope at Singing River Health System’s Regional Cancer Center to signify the end of her breast cancer treatments. This celebration came just in time as Breast Cancer Awareness Month gets underway. News 25’s Kristen Durand shares Wiggins’ story.
On January 31st, 2015, Heather Wiggins, wife of Senator Brice Wiggins, received the news nobody wants to hear. She was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. “The first thing that goes through your mind is fear. It’s just fear of what’s going to happen,” said Wiggins.
Today, nearly nine months after her diagnosis, she rang the Bell of Hope signifying the end of her treatments. “I’m counting my blessings every day. I didn’t have the worst case. I didn’t have the worst reaction to chemo but it does affect your entire family and your day-to-day living. I just pray for those who are going through the same thing or having a harder time than I did,” said Wiggins.
Heather Wiggins is one of many to ring this bell since 2008. Today she had the chance to ring the bell in front of her family and friends, her support system who she says helped her get through it all. “I always had someone I could call. I always had friends and family right there all the time. That’s what got me through and I have two amazing kids that I got to be there for.”
Back in August, Wiggins went in for a mammogram that came back clear but then just a few months later, a self-exam revealed a lump. Fast forward to today and she’s encouraging everyone to pay attention to their body. “If I had not found that lump, if I had not gone to the doctor, how much worse would it have been?”
Director of Operations at the Regional Cancer Center Joe Kippley said, “When we get to a point where we end a course of treatment, it’s a big celebration for not only the patient and their family but for our staff. It revitalizes everyone and kind of keeps spirits high.”
While this isn’t the end of Wiggins’ journey with cancer, it is certainly a milestone and a beacon of hope.
With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Singing River Health System will be offering discounted mammograms at three different Coast locations through November 20th.
On January 31st, 2015, Heather Wiggins, wife of Senator Brice Wiggins, received the news nobody wants to hear. She was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. “The first thing that goes through your mind is fear. It’s just fear of what’s going to happen,” said Wiggins.
Today, nearly nine months after her diagnosis, she rang the Bell of Hope signifying the end of her treatments. “I’m counting my blessings every day. I didn’t have the worst case. I didn’t have the worst reaction to chemo but it does affect your entire family and your day-to-day living. I just pray for those who are going through the same thing or having a harder time than I did,” said Wiggins.
Heather Wiggins is one of many to ring this bell since 2008. Today she had the chance to ring the bell in front of her family and friends, her support system who she says helped her get through it all. “I always had someone I could call. I always had friends and family right there all the time. That’s what got me through and I have two amazing kids that I got to be there for.”
Back in August, Wiggins went in for a mammogram that came back clear but then just a few months later, a self-exam revealed a lump. Fast forward to today and she’s encouraging everyone to pay attention to their body. “If I had not found that lump, if I had not gone to the doctor, how much worse would it have been?”
Director of Operations at the Regional Cancer Center Joe Kippley said, “When we get to a point where we end a course of treatment, it’s a big celebration for not only the patient and their family but for our staff. It revitalizes everyone and kind of keeps spirits high.”
While this isn’t the end of Wiggins’ journey with cancer, it is certainly a milestone and a beacon of hope.
With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Singing River Health System will be offering discounted mammograms at three different Coast locations through November 20th.
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