Pink Sisters
“One day my story will become someone else’s survival guide”
It’s an extraordinarily humbling experience to listen to women share their breast cancer journey.From the moment of diagnosis, to fighting the disease, to living in remission, this journey reveals their strength.All of these women have a brilliantly positive and inspiring perspective on life, themselves, and people around them.Everyone is surprised by the diagnosis. It immediately initiates a woman into the sisterhood.
Like a sorority, each woman is bonded by their own unique and shared journey. You find the people who know and understand. The disease respects no age or stage of life. As we approach October this fall, we introduce you to 5 lovely local ladies who stand a little bit taller and stronger because of their breast cancer survivorship.
Lauren Turner Belt
Tell us about your immediate family.
Married my best friend, John Belt, almost 7 years ago.
This August we will be welcoming our first child, Maddox.
What surprised you the most when you were diagnosed?
The lack of research and development for women under 40 with breast cancer, especially women who have not had children. Having children was very important to our family and it has been a tough road to become pregnant with our first.
What surprised you the most during treatment?
That treatment doesn't just end with chemo, radiation, and surgery. There is also maintenance medication that is often required for anywhere from 5-10 years. While the side effects are not as severe as chemo, almost all medication still comes with life changing side effects you must learn to live with while taking these medications.
What are some ways that you found joy in the middle of treatment?
I started my breast cancer journey in the early days of covid so I never felt like I was missing out on any of the fun things going on. No one was traveling or having parties. It was great that John could be home with me a lot as well!
Did you have a favorite food during treatment? if so, what was it?
I asked my sister in law to make me her Chicken and Dumplings all the time! It was definitely my go to food! I also drank a lot of blue powerade.
What was your favorite tv show or movie?
We binge watched so many shows!! In between each episode I would get up and walk around the cul de sac on our street to get a little movement!
What was the most encouraging thing someone did for you?
At my first chemo appointment I was surprised with the sweetest video of encouragement! One of my best friends and sister in law made a video of small clips of my closest friends and family. It was encouraging, hilarious, and exactly what I needed to tackle chemo!
What was the most encouraging thing someone gave you?
I received so many cards, notes, and letters of encouragement in the mail and it was amazing. There were so many people praying for us during that season of our life and these are things I will have forever. I will be able to show my kids one day how many people were cheering for their mama and daddy!
Tell us about your support system.
I was blessed with the BEST! My husband was my absolute rock. He has been there for almost every single appointment, took countless notes, we worked together as a team to make decisions, and was and still is the best caregiver for me. My family helped out a ton with meals, any appointments John couldn't go to with me, taking care of our dog, and so much more. My friends would show up with meals, encouraging notes, flowers, all the things! I truly have the most incredible people in my corner!
On your hardest days, what pulled you through?
The hard days aren't over, they still come and go in survivorship. Proverbs 3: 5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.” This verse really stuck out to me during my active treatment and I often go back to reciting it today. Frankly, I couldn’t lean on my own understanding because I didn’t even understand it. Heck, I still don’t! But what I do know is that God has a plan and he is never wrong. And I will continue to trust in his plan. I will continue to be a positive light in this young adult cancer world.
Courtney Willis
Tell us about your immediate family.
I have a fiancé Chris who is the glue that keeps us together. We have 2 boys Aiden & Waylon. They share the same birthday month but are 15 years apart. There's never a dull moment at home! I have one driving & one walking!
What surprised you the most when you were diagnosed?
When I was first diagnosed I was so surprised because I thought I had mastitis but I had been breast feeding with breast cancer!
What surprised you the most during treatment?
How fast Chemo hit me! I lost a lot of weight & slept a lot.
What are some ways that you found joy in the middle of treatment?
Seeing the outpour of so many people come together for ME..this has been such a humbling experience to say the least.
What was your "anthem" song during that time?
I've got joy by CeCe Winans
What is your favorite food?
Pasta!
Did you have a favorite food during treatment? If so, what was it?
I didn't, Early on I didn't want to eat especially anything heavy. I'd say soups
What was your favorite tv show or movie?
Bridgerton
What is your favorite activity?
Boat riding
What was your favorite activity during treatment?
Shopping for wigs - I have quite the collection!
What was the most encouraging thing someone did for you?
A friend of mine secretly designed a breast cancer shirt in honor of my BC journey & started a fund raiser.
What was the most encouraging thing someone gave you?
There's a few but the one thing that stands out the most was a nurse that was caring for me she is a fellow pink sister she brought me her breast cancer blanket that was made for her. I plan to pass it down.
What is one thing you have learned about yourself?
How strong I was! There were so many nights I'd break down in the shower but knew I had 2 boys to raise & watch grow up. That's where my strength comes from.
How did you communicate best with your medical team? family members?
I had great support from friends and family that would attend doctor appointments with me, we would take notes during each appointment to keep track I also created a private breast cancer page for myself to look back on and to keep other updated.
Tell us about your support system.
Absolutely amazing!! From the meal train, prayer chain, donations, texts calls and visits. I can't thank everyone enough!
What was your best/favorite coping strategy?
There's not just one! Lot of prayers, daily devotional, listening to music, being surrounded by my family.
On your hardest days, what pulled you through?
Have a strong mindset. But overall I pushed through because of my boys, Chris, & my Faith.
What would you say about hope?
When hope is all you have to cling to you leave fear at the door!
What do wish people/friends/family knew about breast cancer and/or treatment?
How hard it is coming out on the other side. This is still fresh for me to speak on it's been a very emotional process.
How would you encourage another woman of any age with cancer? or without breast cancer?
I would tell my pink sister to learn to pray, give yourself GRACE, find a scripture & song that you can turn to when you need it. Take a minute or two and have your pity party then tap back into a positive mindset . And always be a shining light to another pink sister especially if they are just beginning their journey, each woman's BC journey is special! To the women who haven't had BC be KIND, smile, if you feel led to spark up conversation or give a compliment do it you never know what someone is going through with BC.
Is there any other piece of your story or advice you would like to share?
I've learned to be your own advocate no one knows you better than YOU!! If something doesn't feel right ask questions do your own research!! Make final decisions that are on your terms.
Erica Pelkey
Tell us about your immediate family.
Married to Hank and have two boys Zander, age 17-a Senior at Glynn Academy and Evan, age 15- a sophomore at Brunswick High School
What surprised you the most when you were diagnosed?
Being young at age 38. I had a 3 year old and a 5 year old at the time. We were just getting started with our family.
What surprised you the most during treatment?
How common the regimen was…I had found a support group of women throughout the US that were doing the same regimen.
What are some ways that you found joy in the middle of treatment?
My kids. I tried hard to maintain “normalcy” for them during treatment. Also, my group or strong women, the December Sisters, that were
a support for me.
What was your “anthem” song during that time?
Stronger by Kelly Clarkson
What is your favorite food?
Any Mexican food, I LOVE tacos!
Did you have a favorite food during treatment? If so, what was it?
Weirdly, mashed potatoes and potato soup. I refused to eat chocolate because my taste was off and I refused to make chocolate taste bad.
What was your favorite tv show or movie?
I enjoy comedy sitcoms and rom-com movies.
What is your favorite activity?
Now, since moving into our new home, I am enjoying gardening.
What was your favorite activity during treatment?
I binge watched TV and movies and crafted. I painted some pottery and a few canvases. I made a few door hangers for the holidays.
What was the most encouraging thing someone did for you?
I had great friends that stepped in to provide food, house cleaning, and time.
What was the most encouraging thing someone gave you?
A local artist friend gave me a box that I keep all of my cards and letters in during that time. Also, a Dammit Doll that I can beat anything with when I
feel frustrated.
What is one thing you have learned about yourself?
I can persevere. I am stronger than I thought I was.
For other women who may be diagnosed:
Do what is important for yourself and your family. No one else matters. True friends will show up.
How did you communicate best with your medical team? family members?
Dr. Moran was the best. I needed honesty and truth and no beating around the bush. I found that with the medical team I used. Tell us about your support system. My husband was my rock during that time. My mom stayed with me a while during treatments. My Aunt Linda did whatever I needed for my children. My December Sisters were my online support to answer questions and let me know we were all feeling yucky and going through similar things together. My great friends that brought food, picked up kids, and left me alone when I needed to be left alone.
What was your best/favorite coping strategy?
I tried to do things as “normal” as I could with my 2 young boys. The boys are what kept me going and persevering through all of the yuck.
On your hardest days, what pulled you through?
Faith and Hope
What would you say about hope?
You have to hold on tight to HOPE when things are rough.
What do wish people/friends/family knew about breast cancer and/or treatment?
That the treatments are doable. Pray about what you need and listen to answers. Find a doctor that suits you. I saw 2 others before I found the one that suited my needs. Take any help when it is offered to you.
How would you encourage another woman of any age with cancer? or without breast cancer?
Find support. I found mine online through a breast cancer forum. We now have a Facebook group and keep
in touch.
Is there any other piece of your story or advice you would like to share?
It takes a toll on you, your family, and your finances. Keep the faith and hold onto hope and live by prayer. Don’t let Breast Cancer define
you. Life has struggles. Be strong!
Maggie Dutton
Husband: Jim Hackendale, married 38 years, Retired, Volunteers full time for Brunswick High Baseball Team as PA Announcer, Marketing and Fundraising Chair. Baseball and mentoring young baseball players is his passion. Attends all practices, games (including away), and is a batting cage “rat”. Daughter, Haley Hackendale Coleman (just married this last February), 36, born and raised on SSI, graduated from Frederica Academy as Valedictorian of her class, lettered in 5 sports, graduated from Univ. Of S. Calif. On full academic scholarship. Has worked for Publicis Sapient – a Global Digital Business Transformation and Consulting Co. with 20,000, over 50 offices Worldwide, since graduation from college in 2009. She is Chief of Staff to Chief Production Officer. Lives in Denver with her husband and two stepsons – rising 7th and 9th graders. Stepson, Hal Hackendale, deceased 2019, from cancer.
Surprised most when diagnosed:
Me? No way. I was healthy, never sick, had been working out with a personal trainer for 9 years then, ate healthy.
Surprised me most during treatment:
Not minding showing no hair. The wig was too hot and uncomfortable.
Favorite food?
I love it all. Only 2 things I do not eat are liver and cottage cheese. Salads, raw oysters, mashed potatoes and gravy, butter, dill pickles.
Favorite food during treatment:
Dole sliced peaches in a jar with syrup – cold. Could eat the entire jar at once, but then that is the only thing I actually ate during chemo.
Favorite activity:
Watching sports on TV – watched every game of March Madness.
Encouraging act of kindness:
As I sit and reflect, tears now come to my eyes. There were hundreds. Cards, letters, calls, visits, books, religious articles, helped me cut my hair short, then another shaved my head later and helped me figure out how to wear my wig, shared their journey’s stories, helped me buy some new clothes, I could write a book on them.
Encouraging gift:.
My husband’s unconditional love, care and support. He never let go of my hand, so to speak. He was with me from the very first moment, until now, and never wavered.
Learned about myself:
I am no. 1, and need to take care of myself first. Treat myself. My husband went with me to every appt. I asked the questions, and he wrote the answers. I always had questions. I never did question my treatment (all at Mayo, with a partner Dr. locally). I trusted my Drs. Totally. I confided every fear or worry with my husband, Jim. There is nothing I could not talk to him about this.
I had the most unbelievable support system ever!! I took two of my local best friends to the hospital when I had surgery. I was going to be there for 4 days. One was in charge of being there getting all the facts from the 2 surgeons, as I knew my husband would not remember any of it, or very little. She accompanied my husband after the surgery. The other made sure I had enough drugs (had a double mastectomy) and I did not want any pain. My massage therapist and holistic healer dear friend was helping me with natural remedies. A reflexologist came to the house to treat me. Another came almost daily to help my husband figure out how to make the best smoothies. The booster club at Frederica arranged for dinners to be delivered for my husband and daughter 4 nights a week. Families showed up with their children to drop off the food, with small children. I did not even know these people (my daughter was a Sr, in HS.)but they were so kind to me. My dear friend and neighbor showed up the nights I arrived home from chemo in Jacksonville, with a beautifully home cooked meal for us, as that was the only night I felt like eating, before the chemo started to make me lose my appetite again. I hired a life Coach, who actually was a business Coach, but having gone through cancer herself, started a practice to coach people through cancer. We spoke on the phone (had an appt.) every week, but she was available to talk anytime else I needed her, in the case of an event, etc. She was amazing. She lived here, but we never actually met, until a few years later she stopped in my office to introduce herself in person.
How did you cope?
I coped by talking about it and my feelings to people when they seemed they would not mind.
What pulled me through:
Wanting to see my daughter experience college and after and see her happily married (19 years later!), and not leave my husband alone, as I am the organizer in the family – pay the bills, figure the meals, etc. I have always been the most positive person, so I know that there is always hope. I never have thought any other way about anything in life.
Breast cancer treatment has advanced so much. There are so many kinds of breast cancer – no 2 people are alike. Stay positive above all else. My Drs. At Mayo said that was one of the biggest things I had going for me.
Get your mammograms. That is what saved me. It was found on an annual mammogram, comparing it to 2 years prior’s mammogram, not the yr’s before. Continue to get checkups every yr after – blood work, etc.
Manage stress. There may not be any scientific proof that stress causes cancer, but so many instances can be traced back to that. Learn to say “no”. We need to take care of ourselves first, before we can be the best for anyone and everyone else.
As a Mom, know that your children are watching you go through this. Show them resilience. They will take it with them forever. They will begin to emulate your good health habits. You are a huge example for them. GIVE BACK! I have tried to reach out to many women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. I show them my “battle scars” so they know they can look normal again. I keep in contact with them, to let them know they have someone to talk to. I have gone with them to Dr. appts., encouraged them in any way I can. Each person is so different, so I honor their decisions for their treatment; don’t try to sway them to what I chose. Most of all, be a great listener and encourager for them.
Oops! One more thing. EVERYTHING we experience in life prepares us for the adversities that await us. I have had a lot of adversity, so this just to me was another “bump” in the road. I don’t mean that in a bad way, it is just we can now handle the next thing a little easier, and for women who have not had cancer, they will be so prepared if they have had other crosses to bear or hurdles to get over.
Pat Hodnett Cooper
Tell us about your immediate family.
I have three children and two grandchildren and one Bernidoodle, they are the loves of my life!
What surprised you the most when you were diagnosed?
No history in family, felt no lumps, so when I got the call they saw something suspicious on my mammogram, it was a shock.
What are some ways that you found joy in the middle of treatment?
Celebrating each milestone doing something special with a friend or family member. End of recovering from surgeries, end of radiation, end of chemo, end of reconstruction…..
What was your "anthem" song during that time?
Breathe by Faith Hill
What is your favorite food?
Anything Mexican!
Did you have a favorite food during treatment? if so, what was it?
Cold peaches (Maggie Dutton turned me on to them when I couldn’t eat anything else.)
What is your favorite activity?
Spending time with family and friends or laying on a beach reading a great book.
What was the most encouraging thing someone did for you?
I could never pick one. I have never felt so loved and cared about in my entire life.
What was the most encouraging thing someone gave you?
An angel, I still have in my bedroom.
What is one thing you have learned about yourself?
I am stronger than I ever thought possible.
How did you communicate best with your medical team? family members?
Take someone with you to every visit if you can to record or take good notes. It becomes surreal and hard to focus when you are listening alone.
Tell us about your support system.
My amazing Mom was with me every single step of the way. Having it three times, we did a lot of figuring out together the best journey for me. I was divorced the first time with a three year old and a 14 year old. I also have the most caring, loving friends in the entire world who covered me up with love.
What was your best/favorite coping strategy?
Walking, listening to music and being with my friends and family as much as possible.
On your hardest days, what pulled you through?
My children and my family mostly, they needed me to stick around!
What would you say about hope?
NEVER stop hoping…ever.
What do wish people/friends/family knew about breast cancer and/or treatment?
Though it’s an awful disease, and this sounds crazy, but realizing how many friends around me who sent cards, letters, calls, made food, drove me, sat with me, cried with me, and held me just made me realize how blessed I am to have so many in my life.
How would you encourage another woman of any age with cancer? or without breast cancer?
Attitude, attitude, attitude is everything. Stay as positive as possible and weed out the negativity in your life .People included!
Is there any other piece of your story or advice you would like to share?
This is the time in your life to let your family and friends be there for you. You don’t have to do this alone even if you think you can. It helps you, and them to be there for you. I promise.