Billie Ann Peterson - “Very Much At Ease”

Billie Ann Peterson, Pinehurst, NC

Billie Ann Peterson of Pinehurst has undergone 10 surgeries for cancer. One of her tumors was larger than a football while another was the size of a golf ball. The lumps or hard spots in her side and in her armpit turned out to be liposarcomas. Liposarcoma is a type of soft-tissue sarcoma or cancer that can occur in body tissue that connects, supports or envelops other structures or organs.

Peterson discovered both tumors herself. After deciding that her stomach was protruding too much, she started doing crunches and noticed a hard lump on her side. Another tumor was detected after her daughter observed Peterson brushing her hair and remarked, "Mom, why does everyone else's armpit go in while yours goes out?" That tumor recurred seven times between 1976 and 2006, and Peterson underwent surgery and radiation. Peterson believes some of the surgeries could have been avoided if she had gone to an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center.

Peterson is now cancer-free, and urges newly diagnosed patients to "see someone who specializes in cancer." She first came to UNC in 2002 to meet with Dr. Raj Pruthi, regarding a growth on her kidney. Drs. H.J. Kim and Pruthi removed the tumor and her kidney. Dr. Joel Tepper was overseeing the radiation and performed Intraoperative Radiation Therapy (IORT), a method of radiating a tumor directly during surgery to allow maximum therapy. "I couldn't believe the personal attention I received," she said. " You don't expect it in a huge hospital, but it happened to me and put me very much at ease." She praises their expertise and compassion.

Peterson has a ceramic box engraved with the quote that reminds her to 'live like every day is your last; garden as though you'll live forever.'

Peterson and her husband, Wayne, serve on the UNC Lineberger Board of Visitors. They have four children and two grandchildren.