Originally published online at TapInto Greater Olean in February 2018
SAINT. BONAVENTURE, NY -- During St. Bonaventure’s recent Souper Monday campus community luncheon, two alumnae shed light on the human struggles behind a cancer diagnosis. Carole McNall, assistant professor in the Jandoli School of Communication, and her former student Mary Best, social media manager for Darien Lake Resort, shared their very different experiences fighting cancer. Best, who completed requirements for her journalism degree in December 2013, was diagnosed with a stage one carcinoid tumor on her appendix in the early months of 2014 -- at a time when she was enjoying life in New York City and the internship she had dreamed of having. After struggling with gastrointestinal problems and undergoing several tests, doctors discovered the tumor on her appendix during surgery for what doctors assumed had been endometriosis. Such a discovery in the body of a 20-something is quite rare, Best said. She added that people with carcinoid cancer are usually not diagnosed until their forties -- and when the cancer is at a much later stage. McNall, on the other hand, was not as surprised when she was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer in 2006. McNall’s mother and aunt had been breast cancer survivors. McNall knew she wanted to receive her treatment, consisting of two rounds of chemo, surgery and radiation, at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, an institution that “recognized the human being as well as the diagnosis.” McNall recalled having “one of the world’s greatest support systems,” referring to the support of her husband and her father, brother and sister-in-law as well as from her friends who work in the Jandoli School. Best also found support from friends and family. She recalled how hard it was to see her friends having fun their last semester of college while she underwent tests and treatment. In the process, Best lost 20 pounds. She attended the graduation ceremony in May 2014, feeling nauseous and lightheaded. However, she had confided her illness beforehand to her professor and she got through the ceremony with the moral support of McNall, who was sitting beside her. Both women want to continue supporting and advocating for those diagnosed with cancer. Best said people with cancer diagnoses should allow themselves to melt down if their emotions are getting out of control. And she stressed the importance of going to the doctor, even when one is convinced nothing is all that wrong. McNall reminded those at the lunch that many clinics offer free cancer screenings, and that there are always options, even for those without insurance. And McNall emphasized the importance of humor and the ability to laugh during stressful situations. Once, during a doctor’s appointment that was running far behind schedule, McNall became so frustrated that she made a game of letting her hair fall out and laughed as she watched it build up on the waiting room floor. People struggling with cancer diagnoses should surround themselves with people they love. “Find people to lean on and when you need, lean on them,” McNall said.
By Tyler Grudi
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