Carol Dellinger
Carol Dellinger would much rather be running. In fact, Carol has completed 235 marathons nationally, and she isn’t planning on slowing down anytime soon. Endorsed by three different companies, Carol even had a shoe made especially for her when she completed her 200th marathon. What Carol wasn’t expecting before her 232nd marathon was an abnormal mammogram.
A history of cancer
Since the age of 35, Carol had been diligent about having an annual mammogram. With a mother, an older sister and three aunts having battled breast cancer, Carol proactively managed her health by eating right, never drinking or smoking and getting regular checkups. Now 47-years old, she felt on top of her game.
In October 2009, she went for her annual mammogram. Normally, she never heard back from the doctor’s office, indicating that everything looked good. However on Monday, October 2, she received a call.
“The nurse on the phone said she saw some irregularities and that I needed to come in for further testing. I joked with her, saying, ‘you just want to squish me some more!’ But in the back of my head, I was thinking this is it,” Carol said.
Carol went back in on Wednesday for a more detailed mammogram and ultrasound. Her doctor showed Carol her mammograms from over the years, and how this most recent mammogram looked significantly different. It appeared that Carol had breast cancer. A biopsy would need to be taken to confirm this.
From there Carol was referred to Dr. Moline, a breast surgeon at Cancer Care Northwest. Carol was scheduled right away for a biopsy and Mischa, Dr. Moline’s nurse, reassured her that she was in good hands.
“Mischa spent a half hour on the phone with me, answering all the questions I had. She was wonderful. I felt like I had a friend and an incredible caretaker right from the start.”
A few days later, Carol returned to Cancer Care Northwest to hear the results of the biopsy.
The diagnosis
“Dr. Moline came in and told me I had ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), or non-invasive cancer of the milk ducts in my right breast. Then she sat down and started talking. She drew pictures. She explained to me that even though my cancer was non-invasive, it was extensive, affecting many of my milk ducts. She told me my only option was to have a mastectomy to ensure that she could remove all of the cancer.”
Since the cancer had not spread to her lymph nodes, Carol did not need to complete radiation or chemotherapy. She also opted for a non-reconstruction option so she could be back to her active lifestyle and running sooner.
Prior to the surgery, Dr. Moline recommended that Carol have an MRI of her left breast to ensure she didn’t have cancer there as well and to complete a genetic test. The results of the genetic test would inform her if she carried the BRCA-1 gene which increases the likelihood of hereditary breast cancer and ovarian cancer. If she did test positive for the BRCA-1 gene, she could take steps to help prevent a future reoccurrence of these cancers.
The results of the MRI showed she did not have cancer in her left breast, and the genetic test results would later show she was not a carrier of the BRCA-1 gene.
“I was so impressed that Dr. Moline proactively took these steps to help me stay cancer-free and healthy,” Carol said.
Carol then scheduled the surgery, but not before she could squeeze in two more marathons; one in Cape Cod and a second in New York City. Her surgery date landed on November 9, ten days after she first met with Dr. Moline.
Surgery day
The two marathons went quickly and soon it was time to have her mastectomy. She arrived at Sacred Heart early in the morning and was greeted by her surgery team.
“I asked Dr. Moline when I could run my next marathon. She laughed. ‘Maybe in a few months if all goes well,’ she said. I then told her I would see her later, and to do a good job.”
Carol’s surgery went smoothly and she went home to recover the following day.
“For a few days after the surgery, I kept feeling like the mastectomy was a dream and that this wasn’t really happening to me. I kept thinking I would wake up. But I never did. I had my breast removed and I was healing from cancer. The whole process was surreal,” Carol remembers.
In the weeks that followed, Carol had to care for herself, emptying her drain tubes that held lymphatic fluid. She passed the time by emailing friends and sharing her story on her Facebook page and blog. She took a photo of herself daily to visually document her journey. Her friends wrapped her in support, literally. She received three pink snuggies, fresh flowers and her one of her favorite foods, bean burritos.
“It was during this down time that I had the opportunity to educate all of my friends and family about the importance of getting mammograms. It’s all about education and prevention. My mammogram saved my life.”
Baby steps
It wasn’t even a few days after her surgery that Carol had the strength to start walking. By week six, after she got the ok from Mischa, she was running again.
“I learned so much during my experience with cancer. It doesn’t discriminate; cancer can affect anyone. I have always been a positive person and it was so important for me to maintain this attitude especially with my diagnosis.”
Nine weeks after her mastectomy, Carol completed her 235th marathon in Phoenix, PF Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon. Crossing the finish line was more emotional than she ever expected.
“I was so thankful to be there and to be running again, cancer-free.”
Carol later presented Dr. Moline with her medal, and gave it to her as a token of her appreciation.
“Cancer picked the wrong person to mess with. I couldn’t have done it without Dr. Moline, Mischa, the schedulers Jill and Vanessa. I’m so thankful for Cancer Care Northwest.”
To read Carol’s blog, visit www.warriormarathonrunner.com.