Eva Langley - "Just Like Family"

Eva Langley, New Bern, NC

New Bern resident Eva Langley's first symptom of uterine cancer was not specific to cancer.  In August 2007, she had an upset stomach. Langley thought that she had perhaps contracted food poisoning from fish served at a community event.

The next day, it was during a routine doctor's visit that her blood work indicated something was awry. "My doctor of 35 years, Dr. Neil Bender, called me back to his office for five hours of tests," she explained, "and he then suggested that I go to UNC."  Langley had uterine cancer and, she described, "a growth on my ovary as large as a coconut."

She underwent surgery with Dr. Linda Van Le, and then began chemotherapy. She has had various combinations of chemotherapy that had to be adjusted due to side effects such as neuropathy, and is now under treatment for metastases on her liver. She finished her radiation therapy on June 24, 2009.

Langley describes herself as "a strong person" and is thankful for an extensive support network of her husband of 63 years, Alton, her family, friends all over the US, and her church group. "They keep me going, bring meals to us after our week in Chapel Hill for the therapy, talk to me, listen, and lift my spirits."

Her daughter, Joyce Zettlemoyer, lives in New Jersey and, at the time of Langley's diagnosis had her own health issues, so her granddaughter, Laurie Heggan, took two months of leave from her job in Philadelphia to care for her grandmother when she was first diagnosed.

She says, "You can't give in to the cancer. You have to use your will power. Just accept that this has happened and reach out to others for help." Langley attended support group meetings in New Bern and found them beneficial.

Langley offers high praise to her UNC care team. "They're just like family. They always answer my questions and call me back quickly."

"I have every confidence in Dr. Van Le. She is an outstanding, caring doctor. We now exchange recipes."