Page 2 - The Fayetteville Press Newspaper October 2024 Election Edition

Page 2 The Fayetteville Press October 25, 2024 Edition

Dr. Mark Stephen Thompson, D.D.S.

(Family Dentistry)

114 Campus Avenue * Raeford, NC 28376

(910) 875-3625
(910) 875-3625
(910) 875-3625
(910) 875-3625
(910) 875-3625
(910) 875-3622
(910) 875-3622
(910) 875-3622
(910) 875-3622
(910) 875-3622

Dr. Mark Thompson
(910) 875-3622

Tax Service
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5114 Yadkin Road *Ste 132

Fayetteville, NC 28303
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capefearvalley.com

Toscha Ford knew something was wrong when she started Ford began a second course of treatment that spring after
(910) 583-9547
having trouble sleeping on her right side. they found two more spots of cancer. She was scheduled for a
mastectomy and a more aggressive round of chemotherapy.
“I had a mammogram a year prior, and everything was fine, but
I then I felt a lump in my right breast. It was bigger than a golf She eventually made it through.
ball and I knew I had to get it checked out,” said Ford.
Her last chemo treatment was on April 5, 2022. As she rang the
She went for a mammogram and a biopsy of the lump. A week bell to symbolize her final treatment, she also thought of her
later, her doctor called her with the results. grandmother, Magnolia Cobb, who passed away on the same
day five years prior from pancreatic cancer.
“When my doctor came in, he said I had cancer. My first

thought was, ‘How?’ I wanted to know how I had cancer since I “I rang the bell to celebrate my life and remember hers” said Ford.
had just had a successful mammogram,” said Ford.
Ford is so grateful to her family and friends for their support.
She said he explained that it could happen in less than a year Just as her village supported her, she has advice for others going
and lauded her for coming in when she did and scheduled her through a similar journey.
for a consultation with Elizabeth Sawyer, MD, general surgeon
“First, find a purpose. I had my best conversations with God
and breast oncology specialist.
and really tapped into my faith. If you believe in something, now
Ford credits Erin Champion, breast cancer navigator at Cape is the time to believe,” said Ford.
Fear Valley Health for helping her better understand what she
Her second thought is to have a good support system.
was about to go through.
“Don’t try to go through this alone. You will need a village. And
“Erin was such a great support coach. She told me what to
everyone from the front desk to the nurses to the phlebotomists
expect,” said Ford. “She was so transparent and open.”
are amazing. I made lasting friendships,” said Ford.
Ford said she then underwent initial tests, including another
She also said to find something you love and focus on it.
biopsy, an MRI to make sure the cancer had not spread, a heart
scan and other checks. “For me, I love to travel so I spent time making travel plans. I

also love my cat, Cammi, and I spent so much time loving her,”
Before she went in for the first treatment, Ford spent some time
said Ford.
traveling.
Her last bit of advice is an important one – to get annual
“I went to the Biltmore Estate and then to the beach. I took time
mammograms.
for myself. I knew that once people knew that their focus would
be on the cancer and not on me. I needed that time,” said Ford. “Don’t wait. Get screened. If it had not been caught so early, it
might have been treatable, but not curable. I’m thankful that it
She came back refreshed and ready to fight.
was caught early enough to be able to fight it,” said Ford.
“From that October to December, I had chemo every Tuesday,”
At 47, she is now back in the classroom teaching full-time and
said Ford.
making even more travel plans, both of which she could not
Her first chemo treatment was on Oct. 5 and Ford decided that have done without swift detection and action. And she said her
she was going to make it an event to remember. experience has made her stronger.

“I decided I was going to dress up each time. I wore a nice outfit, “That’s the silver lining to all of this. I have a second chance
a hairpiece. There was no way I was going to wear pajamas and to do something in life. I have become more vocal, more
a bonnet. If someone saw me on the street, they would have no opinionated. I’m going to live and live well. I’m a breast cancer
idea that I was going to a cancer center,” said Ford. survivor,” said Ford.

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