Born and raised in Tallahassee, Vicki Ward loves her hometown. It’s where her kids were born, her cherished memories were made, and it continues to hold a very special place in her heart. As Thanksgiving was approaching, Vicki noticed abnormal vaginal bleeding. Healthy as could be, she cautiously visited her physician. What she thought would be a routine visit turned into her immediately being referred to a gynecologist.
After two weeks of testing, Vicki received devastating news. She had an abnormality in her uterus and tested positive for uterine cancer.
“It was after Christmas, I was by myself on Dec. 28 when they called me into their office,” said Vicki. “I was told that I had cancer. I swore I was having an out-of-body experience. I did not know how this was happening to me.”
Her team of physicians determined her cancer was in a very small portion of the uterus and was caught very early. In turn, Vicki visited the Tallahassee Memorial Cancer Center to begin outlining her treatment plan with their gynecologic oncology team. As a technical person, she vividly remembers the physicians sitting down with her to outline details, even drawing out diagrams for her to fully comprehend the treatment plan.
“I was so nervous,” recalled Vicki. “I came with my family for support, however left there knowing I was in great hands, and had the support of the whole medical team. They spent over an hour going over every possible detail for me to best understand everything.”
On January 22, 2016, Vicki went through a hysterectomy, the first step in her treatment. Following a successful surgery and a few weeks of recovery, she was cancer free. Rejoicing with her family and the Cancer Center, Vicki could not be more relieved. Life was good. In April 2017, the week of her birthday, Vicki had her quarterly follow up visit planned. Due to the timing of celebrations and spring schedules, she struggled with possibly changing her appointment time to a later week. However, Vicki went to the appointment as scheduled. Once again, her world was shaken. Finding an abnormal spot in the scans, her team requested an emergency biopsy.
“I left my appointment and had to go to my 60th birthday party,” said Vicki. “With my mind racing, I told my family and together we prayed about what may come.”
Following further testing, it was confirmed her cancer had come back to the same exact location. Abnormal to see cancer come back to the specific spot twice, Vicki immediately sat down with Raj Bendre, MD radiation oncologist, and the physicists at the Cancer Center to go through every detail of her radiation plan. Determining the uniqueness of her case, her treatment plan was aggressive.
“It was so hard,” Vicki shared. “A treatment like this is so personal, and the staff at the Cancer Center made me so comfortable while keeping my dignity through everything. I did not meet one person that was not nurturing or caring. From every hug, to human connection, they made me a part of their family from day one.”
After months of treatment, Vicki proudly ran the freedom bell at the Cancer Center in November of 2017. She is now cancer free and enjoying her family, friends and health. Today, Tallahassee holds a new meaning to Vicki’s stories. It is where her life was changed and a new family was made.
“While I hope no one has to experience my same story, it is such a blessing the Tallahassee Memorial Cancer Center exists,” Vicki proudly shared. “All my treatments were in my hometown. I was able to continue working with a loving community, and am alive. There is hope due to their team.”
