Jill Towns: My story – God’s victory

60% of women over the age of 40 skip mammograms

Almost 25% have never had a mammogram

I did not fall into either category for the statistics above. I have had my annual mammogram for nearly 15 years. I have also done my self-exams. I did it for my health and peace of mind. The biggest issue I had ever had was some small water cysts. 

In February 2024, life changed. I had my mammogram at the end of February as scheduled. They called me back because of something “suspicious” on the same day as my husband’s colonoscopy. I had just woken up after getting him home and was not exactly clear-headed. The team at Fairview Imaging asked me to come back in for a second mammogram and they would do an ultrasound at the same time. I was not worried – no big deal. I just thought it was a bruise or a shadow. I went back in – had the second mammogram and ultrasound. 

The medical team then wanted a biopsy. I had a biopsy on some nodules on my thyroid last year so I was not too worried. Then came the phone call from Dr. Mark Boles office – “Can you come in?” I knew, then, what the diagnosis was. It was only then I got scared – and felt like a toddler with my hands over my ears. No, I cannot come into the office (as if not going in was going to change it). 

The dreaded word – CANCER – let’s get you in with a surgeon.  Free fall roller coaster – surgery scheduled for April 9. Life changed dramatically in about six weeks. You never expect to hear the words – cancer. As far as I know, there is no history of breast cancer in my family and I never ‘felt’ anything. 

You play the what-if game when you are faced with such life-altering decisions. Doctor Boles said when he told us the diagnosis – “Oh, what a testimony you are going to have.”

We met with Dr. Andrew Bedingfield for the surgery. He was able to remove the lump with clear margins and I had clear lymph nodes. We had discussed what would happen if more spots lit up with cancer. Dr. Bedingfield gave us the choice to remove the breast if that happened and we gave him the green light to do whatever was in my best interest. I  had a friend whose husband had to decide while she was on the operating table and I did not want to put that on anyone. 

My diagnosis was Stage 1. I was blessed it was caught early. Early detection is the key aspect.  The next steps were scans on every part of my body to make sure it had not spread anywhere (PET Scans, CT scans, EKGs, etc) The next hurdle would be chemo. The team at the Cancer Center of Middle Georgia initially discussed the plan of 18 rounds of chemo – with two weeks on and one week off. It was scary and overwhelming and I melted down at the thought of it. Once all the tests came back, my plan was 6 rounds of chemo with 2 weeks off in between. I will be done with chemo in mid-October.  I will have to have some radiation after chemo.  The chemo/radiation and immunotherapy reduces the re-occurrence risk in my type of cancer.

I have been blessed to have all the tests and all the treatments right here in Dublin.  I have not had to travel to get the care needed. I have never been treated like a “number.” Everyone from the Imaging Center staff to the Doctors’ offices to the hospital teams to the cancer center team have been focused on me while I have been in their care.  We are blessed in this community to have big-town healthcare options with small-town care and comfort.  

I have met some incredible survivors and care-givers along this journey. I have been prayed over and reached out to. My mom has been able to take me for treatments and sit with me. My husband has been a constant source of comfort and care. We are now part of a unique group. There are support groups online I have joined as well. 

I cannot thank everyone for the support they have given us. Our community and faith family have provided meals and support, they have loved us and prayed over us and with us during this time.  My work family has also supported me with “hydration parties” and love. The Lord has taken care of me.  

People ask what they can do to help.  Ladies, get your mammograms. Men, encourage your ladies to get their mammograms.  Don’t be part of the statistics.

Jill Towns is the wife of Courier Herald Senior Reporter Payton Towns III