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"She should win an award for her positive attitude!"
The frigid, windy Saturday morning last October was the type of morning when most people stay in bed savoring the warmth and comfort of sleep. Not Susie Mears, a Providence Hood River patient and cancer survivor. She climbed out of bed, put on her Halloween costume and walked the Providence Harvest Dash with daughter Aurora. Amazingly, this was only one week after her second abdominal surgery.
One month later, on the day before Thanksgiving, she had a mastectomy, her second of two such surgeries in a year. “Susie has shown determination in the face of significant health challenges,” said David Maccabee M.D., Providence Hood River general surgeon. “I admire her attitude and determination to keep moving forward.”
It hasn’t been easy for Mears. In the fall of 2007, a mammogram revealed Mears had breast cancer. She underwent a mastectomy and chemotherapy to treat her cancer. Eight more surgeries were scheduled and she had been in and out of the emergency room.
“At the time, my daughter Aurora was only three years old and Dr. Maccabee was concerned if I had both breasts removed I would not be strong enough to hold her. So I opted to have one removed immediately and the second mastectomy a year later to prevent possible recurrence.”
At one point, she had a chronic wound on her chest and needed emergency surgery. “Dr. Maccabee has performed most of the surgeries,” said Mears. “I really trust him – I know I’m in good hands. I also love Jan Thomson. She spotted things first and helped me get early treatment.”
Jan Thomson, R.N., a Providence Hood River home health nurse, has helped treat Mears through her medical challenges. “I try to walk the journey with my patients, to be there, to listen and support them,” said Thomson.
“What I found is that we can learn a lot from Susie – she gives 200 percent,” said Thomson. “She has had more than her share of complications and never knew what might happen next. It has been on an incredible journey for her. She is amazing.”
Mears was treated in Hood River, The Dalles and Portland medical facilities. “I love Providence Hood River because they know me. I walk down the halls and everyone greets me – the nurses, the doctors and the cleaning crew. They see me and they know me,” said Mears. “It’s the little things that make such a big difference. When I feel bad, they feel bad. I have people checking on me. They care.”
Susie’s daughter Aurora became a familiar face at the hospital. “Aurora was born here and visited all the time while I was hospitalized. She loved to drink my 7-Up and eat my Jell-O,” smiles Mears. “It was important for us to be together – we gave each other strength. The staff always treated her like family.”
When Health Currents magazine asked Tami Milligan, R.N., Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital nurse manager about Susie Mears, she immediately replied, “Susie is a joy to be around. She should win an award for her positive attitude!”
Many people may not want to talk about their personal medical history with near-strangers. But Mears wants to reach out to others who might be afraid or whose children might be afraid of their condition. “You don’t know how much this means to me – to be a part of hope and strength. I am here to take on the world and to help others,” she said. Mears has had her share of good luck and good times. A dancer, teacher and gymnast who grew up in the Gorge, she drives a gold PT Cruiser with custom plates “Susie Z” and has won awards at beauty pageants. She is married to Bryan, a local plumber, a man she calls “her rock.”
A week after Thanksgiving 2008, Dr. Maccabee called her with the results from the second mastectomy. He said, “I have good news and bad news. The good news – the tumor is benign. The bad news – we won’t get to see you as much!”
Clockwise from top left: Cancer patient Susie Mears and Jan Thomson, R.N., at Providence Hood River surgery clinic. Aurora Mears joined her mother Susie at the first annual Providence Harvest Dash last October. Providence Hood River surgeon David Maccabee, M.D., and Jan Thomson, R.N., with Mears. Susie and Aurora Mears enjoy family time at home after her hospital stay. Susie Mears braved cold and windy weather to walk the Providence Harvest Dash one week after abdominal surgery. |
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