Faith in the Lord's care

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As a Clarendon County native, Mary Howard stepped happily into working with the Clarendon County 3 school district. First working with East Clarendon Middle/High School, Howard ended up working at Walker Gamble Elementary. Originally, she worked as a classroom aid, but was promoted to attendance clerk and then to class supervisor for remediation. Eventually Howard returned to school, earning a degree in family consumer science from South Carolina State, Orangeburg. Life took a different turn for Howard in August of 2012. During a routine mammogram, Howard’s doctors found cancer in her right breast. At the time, Howard was staying with her mother, who was ill. One night, Howard’s right breast started hurting. Over the counter pain medication fixed the pain, and she was fine. Her doctor, however, wanted her to do a follow-up exam, as she had previously had problems with fibrocystic tissues. The cancer was discovered, and in less than two weeks, Howard was in surgery. It was stage three breast cancer and had already moved into her lymph nodes. They removed the cancer and the lymph nodes but had to operate a second time to remove more lymph nodes. Six rounds of chemotherapy followed, after which Howard went through 33 radiation treatments. Howard’s treatment continued through an oral medication. Due to the removal of the lymph nodes, Howard developed a fluid buildup in her right breast. The doctors regularly drew off the fluids until a new doctor decided this was leaving her open for infection. He ordered an MRI and another mammogram in early 2015. Through this, they discovered breast cancer in the left breast. More surgeries ensued to remove the cancer and more lymph nodes, followed by four more rounds of chemotherapy. This set up Howard for lymphedema, a condition where swelling can occur as a result of damaged or removed lymph nodes from cancer treatments or surgery. Howard continued to fight to improve, going to therapy treatments for her lymphedema and learning how to live her life around it. But the treatments had to drastically change, as her battle was not over yet. In August 2015, Howard noticed a pimple-like lump on her neck and went to the doctor. Through examination, the doctors discovered blood clots in both of her carotid arteries. She was immediately brought to MUSC, where Howard was also diagnosed with cancer in her carotid arteries. The surgeries to remove the cancer left her in a condition as if she had had a stroke, and she stayed in the stroke unit for several days. But over time, Howard fought to regain her life. “I have improved, I really have,” said Howard. “There are times when I feel tired and exhausted. I have learned how far I can go, how much I can do and how much I can’t do. I limit myself on my activities.” Howard still has a full team of doctors helping ensure she stays ahead of her fight. “Whatever my report is, it’s going to be good. It’s going to be something I can handle. The Lord gives me strength. I surely believe all of this is under His control.” They’re waiting to ensure all blood clotting is clear, as the doctors now want to remove her parathyroid gland. She should receive the report this week telling her if the clots are gone now. As a proactive measure, Howard was tested for genes that would point toward cancer. The tests found genetic markers for several types of cancer, including breast, pancreatic and ovarian. The doctors removed Howard ovaries proactively to ensure cancer cannot attack her body there. Howard also stays aware of the signs of pancreatic cancer, and her doctor encourages her to immediately let him know if she sees any change. Throughout her battle, there were many days when Howard didn’t feel like getting out of bed, but she refused to let herself get to that point. She always made herself get up and go about her day and keep a positive attitude. She continues to go to church when she can, although she wears a mask to protect her immune system. “If I can help someone by my experience, and people can be aware and educated, I think it could help someone. There have been people diagnosed before me, the same time, and after me, and they’re gone. I think sometimes people just give in. I think you have to give it the best you have, keep fighting. Sometimes you might not win the fight, but keep fighting. Don’t give in to it,” said Howard. Howard lost all of her hair both times, and it no longer grows back properly. But Howard insists she would rather have life and no hair than hair and no life. “The lord is going to take care of it all. I have faith that He is going to take care of me. He has me here for a purpose, maybe to share my story to help someone else. He has me here for a purpose,” said Howard. She attends her survivor meetings every month. When she listens to others’ stories, it makes her realize there are others going through tougher times who are staying positive. “It gives me hope, it gives me joy, to be with other people. When you share with each other, it gives you something to look forward to.” She looks forward to hearing what everyone has to report on their progress and sharing her own steps toward healing. “I have people around who are really here right when I need them. I have two of the best caregivers. My church family, my blood family and friends, I had very good support. I’m just thankful the Lord put these people in my path,” said Howard. “You have to have faith and believe. I know the Lord is taking care of me.”