Wallace endorses Breast Cancer Awareness Month

BY GREGG L. PARKER / REPORTER

Vee Wallace doesn’t need to wear a pink ribbon to raise her awareness for breast cancer.

Wallace with her daughter.

Wallace endorses the proclamation of October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. As many people like her, she is a living example of hope for recovery.

In March 2008, Wallace was diagnosed with a rare type of breast cancer named metaplastic carcinoma.

“I did not know I was sick,” Wallace said. I had no symptoms. Each year, more than 20,000 people are diagnosed with breast cancer, many of which could have been avoided with the proper care.”

Wallace said survivors and family members — who are left behind by someone that did not make it — often need a time to all come together in remembrance of their loved ones and stories.

She was treated at Cancer Treatment Centers of America and underwent radiation procedures and an innovative regiment of cancer-fighting drugs. In addition, her doctors recommended prayer as an actual component for her treatment.

“This (metaplastic carcinoma) is not your mom or dad’s cancer,” Wallace said.

She did experience minor levels of pain but never had to deal with vomiting, diarrhea or other uncomfortable side effects endured by many cancer patients.

“There are drugs now on the market that almost assure you of none of the commonly feared side effects,” she said.

Four hospitals refused to write the prescription for these medications, but Cancer Treatment Centers of America agreed to the plan.

Currently, researchers have not found a known cure for this type of cancer. However, new drugs are on the market every day.

“I am sure that I will need more medications, but at this time I don’t know what those might be,” Wallace said.

In dealing with cancer, Wallace advises to take “one day at a time.” Sharing personal experiences with others is important, too.

“Yes, God’s will be done,” she said.

Wallace recommends for cancer patients to “find a hospital that treats the entire family, believe in God and drastically change your diet.”

After living in Los Angeles during childhood, Wallace moved with her family to the South when she was a teenager. She has lived in Madison for four years after relocating because of her father’s diagnosis of lung cancer. Her parents are Robert and Stella Spencer.

She works as a private contractor in marketing and fundraising. In her spare time, Wallace enjoys all water sports, especially skiing. One of her favorite pastimes is “cancer fighting” to help smooth the path that new patients must travel.