If cancer were an equation, how would you solve it? Treatment + support + determination = survivor. If only cancer followed the predictable rules like solving a math problem.
For math tutor and seven- year cancer survivor Cath Kendrick, it was a matter of adding up all of the factors she could control to cancel out a strong family history of the disease.
Those factors include strong social connections, a dedicated care team, exercise and good nutrition. She swims, walks and lifts weights regularly, and practices meditation. She sees her oncologist Lamia Boric, M.D., of The Corvallis Clinic for checkups, and follows her doctor’s guidance to give her the best odds for remaining cancer-free.
Still Kendrick doesn’t allow her thoughts to dwell on the what-ifs of a disease that has claimed the lives of her mother and a first-cousin, and stricken nearly every close female relative in her family, sparing only her twin sister thus far.
“I wake up and go to sleep without ever thinking about cancer,” Kendrick said.
She finds balance and joy in her work and personal life as wife, mother, gardener, mentor and math tutor.
Counting support
Since she was diagnosed, Kendrick said she has never felt alone. She recalled sending an email out to friends the day before she had cancer surgery. She wrote requesting a hug between 5 and 6 p.m., then experienced what she describes as a mosaic of support as people lined up outside her house causing a minor traffic jam in her col-de-sac.
“I just felt like I was carried through it,” Kendrick said. “I can’t thank people enough for just showing up.”
Her spirits were bolstered by emails from friends and family around the world and from her tutoring students.
At the core of Kendrick’s network of support is her husband Kevin, an engineer, and son, Michael, who just completed his freshman year at Oregon State University. They showed unconditional love, along with her four-legged companions, Max, a black Lab, who occupies the floor below the couch where she likes to sit and Lisa the cat who comes running when she hears Kendrick calling her name.
A calculated decision
Kendrick chose The Corvallis Clinic Oncology Department for her care because of how staff there listen and care. Her first doctor was now-retired oncologist George Norek, M.D., who took the time to respond to her messages with a personal phone call. A gift he made for her is displayed in her living room. It’s a calligraphy piece Dr. Norek painted inscribed with the words, “May you look upon this for ten-thousand years.” Dr. Norek still sends her letters.
When Dr. Norek retired, Kendrick stayed with The Corvallis Clinic, and now sees Dr. Boric. At her first appointment, it was clear that Dr. Boric had read her chart carefully.
“I appreciated her interest in my case,” Kendrick said. “Dr. Boric has been great for me.”
Kendrick has also seen her doctor with other cancer patients she mentors through Project H.E.R., a breast cancer program of The Corvallis Clinic Foundation. At appointments where she accompanies them to take notes, Kendrick has observed how Dr. Boric carefully listens and explains what’s happening.
“Her patients feel like they are heard,” Kendrick said. “Dr. Boric is gentle and caring.”
Solving for the unknown
Dr. Boric also involves her patients in their treatment. She encouraged Kendrick to participate in genetic testing to learn more about the possible cause of the cancer in her family. Although researchers haven’t been able to identify the specific cause, they were able to determine that it wasn’t caused by the BRCA gene associated with a high risk of ovarian and breast cancer.
“They concluded that there is some genetic defect that we haven’t traced yet,” Kendrick said.
Still that information helped Kendrick and Dr. Boric decide the best course for her follow-up care. Kendrick said she applauds the recent announcement by actress Angelina Jolie, who underwent a double-mastectomy after she learned that she carried the BRCA gene.
“It was great when she went public because people learned about genetic testing,” Kendrick said. “Anything that raises the awareness about breast cancer is positive.” She hopes that in 10-20 years, researchers might discover more of the causes of cancer and even a cure. Meanwhile, Kendrick is dedicated to help other women through their battle with cancer as a survivor mentor with Project H.E.R.
“I really value being a member of this community,” she said. And she feels fortunate to work with students who may one day become those scientists, doctors and researchers working on a cure for cancer or taking care of patients.
