Lorie Williams - “Be Your Own Advocate”

Lorie Williams, Holly Springs, NC

In August of 2005, when Lorie Williams was 29, she had a wonderful husband, Roland, a darling five year-old son, Nasir, a new job and a lump in her breast. Williams is diligent about self breast-exams and found the lump herself.

The mammogram didn't show the lump, but the physician who supervised the mammogram felt it and ordered an ultrasound. Following a biopsy, Williams received the call she never expected: she had breast cancer. "I just went numb," she recalls. "But then I started thinking, 'I don't have time to be sick. Who will take care of my child? My husband can't do it alone'. I knew I had to be strong for my family. That, and my faith got me through."

Williams had eight sessions of chemotherapy followed by surgery in January. She had to delay the start of her radiation due to the death of her father from throat cancer. She finished her radiation therapy on May 9.

She says that "everyone who comes by my desk at works knows that I will ask them, 'Hey there, have you done your self breast exam this month?' I want women to do everything they can to protect their health. Be their own advocate."

She praises her care at UNC. "Everyone was great. They took the time to explain things and to make sure I was comfortable with every procedure and test. I like that everyone works together for the patients."