Courtesy Photo | Cancer failed to stop 1st Sgt. Jane Baldwin, Company E, 3rd Battalion, Small Arms...... read more read more
CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE BASRA, Iraq — "I believe the Mrs. Florida America pageant experience helped save my life," said 1st Sgt. Jane Baldwin, Company E, 3rd Battalion, Small Arms Readiness Group.
After competing in the Mrs. Florida America pageant, Jane (then Jane Payeur) realized that most of the top-ten finalists had breast implants and were much more favored by the judges.
"After the pageant, I became obsessed with my breasts, thinking they were somehow defective," said Jane.
She immediately made an appointment with a plastic surgeon to discuss her options.
Although Jane hadn't reached the age of 40, the typical age a woman goes in for a mammogram, the plastic surgeon required that she have one before proceeding with surgery to check for cancer or any other abnormalities. Only hours after having the procedure, she was notified by her doctor's office that her surgery was cancelled and her mammogram showed microcalcification or calcium deposits in her mammary gland.
She had surgery right away, followed by several months of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Throughout her battle with cancer, Jane relied heavily on family and friends.
"You really find out who your friends are when you're faced with a life-threatening illness," said Jane. "I am so very thankful for all of their help with meals, cleaning, giving me hope, helping with my children and everything else."
More than six years after her physician diagnosed her with breast cancer and gave her a poor prognosis, Jane is still serving her country and has recently given birth to a son.
Jane's husband, Maj. Page Baldwin, command information Officer-in-Charge, 343rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, is no stranger to cancer. He was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare but malignant tumor found in the bone or soft tissue and he too received a very poor prognosis.
"I had a mass the size of a softball in my chest," said Page.
What followed began with a trip to the Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, followed by three months of chemotherapy, the removal of three ribs, and then another three months of chemo.
Both Page and Jane have made significant career changes and have participated in the American Cancer Society's "Relay for Life." They've also both been deployed to Iraq since recovering from cancer. Page is currently in his second tour.
"Having that shared experience with Jane is an amazing thing," said Page, "It helps bring us together."
According to the American Cancer Society, less than five percent of breast cancer cases occur in women under the age of 40.
"If I had not gone to the pageant and then decided to get implants which required the mammogram, 2003 would have been my last year," said Jane.
June is National Cancer Awareness Month and according to the American Cancer Society, regular screening by a healthcare provider, quitting smoking and a healthy lifestyle can reduce your risk of getting cancer.
"You have to accept the diagnosis, but you don't have to accept the prognosis," said Page, "A positive attitude and strong faith can pull you through just about anything."
| Date Taken: | 06.15.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 06.15.2009 05:42 |
| Story ID: | 35055 |
| Location: | BASRA, IQ |
| Web Views: | 149 |
| Downloads: | 75 |
This work, Husband, wife survive cancer, "Stay Army", by SGT Brandon Le Flore, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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