Sheila Bisogno

Henderson, NC
Diagnosed August 2009
2010 Impact of a Promise Model

I was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer in August 2009 at age 44 after finding a baseball sized lump in my left breast.
Being stage 4, I truly thought that I would never see my 20 year old daughter get married, or my 14 year old son graduate from high school. However, my husband, mother, and two sisters would not allow me to give up.

Prior to beginning chemo, my oncologist let me know that the cancer was not in my spine or liver as they originally thought. So I began chemo with a brighter outlook. Good thing, since after my first treatment I landed in the hospital with a viral illness and returned two weeks later with a colon abscess and colostomy.

My family and "angels" at the oncology clinic as well as the social worker from Maria Parham Medical Center gave me the strength and the resources to apply for disability after I was let go from my office manager position when I could not return to work in Dec 2009.

Five months after being diagnosed, almost losing our home, and missing family gatherings for fear of catching something, I truly feel blessed that I have a very supportive family and a husband that are always in my corner.

At 45 and post mastectomy, I am 30 radiation treatments away from finishing my treatment plan. I am looking forward to my hair growing back, being stronger every day, and perhaps volunteering at the oncology clinic when I have completed all of my treatments.

I am now looking forward to my daughter’s March wedding and my son’s middle school graduation.  If I can overcome being given little time and poor prognosis in order to see my daughter get married and my son graduate from middle school then ANYONE can make it.

Love, laughter, friendship, and prayers make even the strongest medicine BETTER!  I am living proof.