Our Maine Street's Aroostook Issue 14 : Fall 2012 | Page 22

Pink Aroostook
Breast Cancer Support Group
Provides Support for Local Women
by Tamra Kilcollins

Community Relations Coordinator, Cary Medical Center
Above: Bethany Zell and Georgann Carter

On April 4th, 2011, a breast biopsy done by her
physician confirmed what earlier CT and MRI testing had
indicated; that the mass detected on one side of her left
breast was cancer. Her surgeon performed a lumpectomy
on April 19th, and one month later her journey to fight and
beat the cancer continued, first with chemotherapy and then
radiation treatments. Her primary care physician began
referring to her as the “miracle patient” because the cancer
was discovered while she was being tested for an unrelated
illness. On November 23, the day before Thanksgiving, her
oncologist gave her the wonderful news that the surgery and
treatment regimen had worked, and she was cancer free.

These important dates come easy for Georgann
“Anne” Carter to remember when she talks about
her personal journey with breast cancer.
But, what this timeline doesn’t describe is the roller coaster
ride of emotional struggles, the daily mental and physical
exhaustion and sickness resulting from treatments, and the
fears you deal with for yourself and your family while trying
to maintain some semblance of a “normal” day to day life.

This single mom of two teenage daughters will tell
you that “my biggest savior” in dealing with breast cancer
was her positive attitude, and the constant help and support
she received from her family, friends, neighbors and coworkers at the Defense Finance and Accounting Service
(DFAS) in Limestone.

“I never dreamed that so many people really cared;
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FALL 2012

people I didn’t even know,” she said. “Co-workers and people
in my community brought us meals; even milkshakes from
a local restaurant owner were delivered while I was going
through my treatments.” Anne also has some very special
new friends; women who all share a common bond and
are members of the local Pink Aroostook Breast Cancer
Support Group.

“I love it,” Anne said referring to the Support Group.
“They’re like my family and I look forward to our meetings.
We share advice, insights and information that come from
being in the same shoes. It’s so incredibly helpful to be able
to talk to and listen to people that have been through breast
cancer in one way or another. Bethany has been like a sister
to me,” she said referring to