Volunteer with Relay for Life understands need for funding cure

Suzette Rives was dedicated to funding cancer research through Relay for Life for 17 years before receiving a breast cancer diagnosis in July 2012.

Rives’ fight began with an abnormal mammogram and she was asked to return to the doctor for additional tests.
Rives said that this was not the first abnormal results she had received, so she went to the doctor alone and unprepared for the news that was delivered to her.

Rives’ husband was at work where he could not have his phone.
As Rives sat crying, thumbing through the contacts in her phone, she found an old number for her husband’s boss.
She called the number unsure she would reach anyone. When that call was answered and her husband happened to be in arms reach of the call, Rives said that she began to see God work.

Within 10 minutes, she was no longer alone and was able to get an appointment with her oncologist that same afternoon.
The following day she was in surgery to begin her recovery process.

From her diagnosis and through her recovery process, Rives said the theme was that she was “fixable”.

At her first visit with her oncologist, she was told, “You’re fixable.”

When she walked into the office at Hickman County High School, where she is the secretary, the office was decorated with signs that read, “You’re fixable!”

Rives endured six months of chemotherapy and 42 days of radiation to combat her cancer. During that time, Rives said that she only had to miss work on the days that she received her treatments, giving credit to the compassion and support of her boss.

She said that she had an excellent support system of family, friends, and coworkers that helped keep her spirits up during her recovery, and added that more than anything, God is what brought her through.

Rives said, “Your life changes from day 1 and is never the same.” Although cancer-free, Rives still experiences weakness in her legs and says that every day she wonders if cancer will come back.

The advice Rives has for anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer is to take all the health advice and help that is offered.
She added that it is important for everyone to perform self-examinations and get an annual mammogram because early detection is key for recovery.

Rives has continued her fight for a cure as chairperson of the Hickman County and Carlisle County Relay for Life committee.
She encourages everyone to support funding cancer research.

A chili supper and Great Pretenders Concert will be held Nov. 3 at Hickman County Elementary School at 5 p.m. with all proceeds benefiting the Relay for Life. Adult tickets for the meal and show are $8 and $5 for students.