OCCUPATION: Media specialist at Barton Chapel Elementary School
DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT: April 13, 1993; mastectomy and chemotherapy; a second mastectomy in 2003
HER STORY: Piper ignored a strange-looking spot on her breast for more than six months.
When she finally went to the doctor, he told her not to worry.
Her own persistence sent her to get a second-opinion from a doctor who immediately diagnosed her and sent her into surgery.
“He saved my life,” said Piper, 64.
Ten years later, a routine mammogram found cancer in the other breast, which she had removed.
“I was so shocked and I literally couldn’t speak,” she said.
“I made up my mind I was going to get over it and survive.”
HER ADVICE: “Get some good support from family and friends. You don’t have to tell anybody until you’re ready,” she said.
