Every patient who completes chemo rings gets to ring a bell. Friday, Oct. 28, was NBC Action News’ Cynthia Newsome’s day.
Cynthia was diagnosed with breast cancer in June, and has had eight rounds of chemo.
She's been weak and tired and she's gotten sick.
But Friday, she's a survivor.
Her doctor, Dr. Robert Belt, said Cynthia is doing well.
"Cynthia had a fairly aggressive tumor and needed chemo. We elected to treat her with what's called a dense dose treatment where chemo is given as aggressively as possible so that the maximum effect on killing the cancer cells occurs. And she's been terrific. She's been a real hero in the whole aspect of getting the treatment done, not complaining and is probably a grade A patient," said Belt.
Cynthia's husband, Ed, has been by her side every day.
Celebrating 10 years of marriage just yesterday, Ed says a husband's role is important, too.
"It is tremendously important. It lets the spouse know that she is not alone and that what's she's going through you're also going through to an extent. That's a part of the healing process. Knowing there's someone who feels part of what you feel. Who cares about what you're caring about. And who's just really there to be everything in the world that you need from them," said Ed.
Cynthia lost her hair after the second round of chemo but has worn a wig ever since.
Friday she chose not to wear it to show the world that this is her with no hair, and she's going to be OK.
Cynthia wants all women to get their mammograms, but to trust their gut if they believe something is wrong. Cynthia's mammogram didn't catch her cancer. It was a sonogram that alerted her doctors and perhaps saved her life.
Hear Cynthia in her own words by watching the inspiring video above.
