HER BACKGROUND

Family: Husband, Tim; daughter, Ginger, 26; and son, William, 21

OCCUPATION: Retired from the Columbia County Board of Education

DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT: Oct. 19, 2008; lumpectomy, chemotherapy, MammoSite radiation, Femara

HER STORY

After her fraternal twin sister died of breast cancer in 1994, Mrs. Grooms got yearly mammograms.

A mammogram and sonogram caught her cancer.

"I saw my sister battle this disease for two years and how sick she got and what a toll her daily radiation treatments took."

Mrs. Grooms' treatment was easier, partially because of the medical advancements that gave her more options, she said.

"I am here alive for my daughter's wedding in October, even though I might still be wearing my wig."

HER ADVICE

"You must trust your doctor 150 percent. ... Plan to sleep a lot. It was hard for me, but let your family and friends do things for you. They want to more than anything."