“Never stop hoping” is mantra of cancer survivor

Breast cancer survivor Bonnie Collins, of Holden. (contributed photo)

by John D. Begin

“Never stop hoping” mantra keys Bonnie Collins’ cancer journey through diagnosis, treatment and recovery.

Before July 2022, Bonnie Collins never thought she’d one day wear an inexpensive pink rubber bracelet that has far greater significance than its actual value.

That was before the 20-year registered nurse and master gardener volunteer knew of a family history of breast cancer. It also was before she discovered a lump on her rib cage, under her arm.

“Being an experienced nurse, I didn’t panic and applied a heated rice pack for three weeks and it didn’t go away,” she said. “I realized then I needed to have it looked at.”

After a mammogram and ultrasound, a biopsy was needed. Unfortunately, it would be nine weeks before Bonnie could have it in Bangor, close to where she lives, due to staffing and other issues.

After deciding to call other sites, Bonnie spoke with MaineGeneral’s Breast Care Program staff and scheduled the biopsy in mid-September 2022. Four days later, she read “carcinoma” in her online patient portal results.

“It was a complete shock and I started to feel dizzy because I was holding my breath and didn’t realize it,” she said.

Finding a treatment “home”

Bonnie and her husband Peter traveled to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, in Boston, where they learned she had triple-negative breast cancer, an aggressive form with limited treatment options. As they traveled north afterward, they knew the financial and emotional costs of weekly treatments in Boston would be too great.

Bonnie wanted treatment much closer to home – at the Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care (HACCC). She called the center on their drive, learned they could take her as a patient and stopped in with her medical records.

“I walked in and it felt like I was home. That was the turning point in feeling I would get the care I needed,” she said. “Going there was the best decision I made. They treated me like they would treat their own family members – their mothers, sisters or daughters.”

Bonnie received 16 chemotherapy treatments in the months that followed. After her last one, she vigorously rang the center’s milestone bell to celebrate the start of her life as a cancer survivor in remission.

Finding signs of hope all around her

Bonnie acknowledges that low points during her treatment sometimes stole her joy and challenged her will to keep fighting. Even during these dark moments, she still had hope.

“I always hoped things would get better even when I didn’t feel well. There’s so much you don’t know, so you hope – a lot – for certain things – to see your next birthday or to become a nana someday. You hope your treatment will work or that you don’t get into a car accident traveling to an appointment during the winter.”

“Cancer is tough for the patient and those closest to them. Seeing changes in your loved one going through chemotherapy – losing their hair and suffering from fatigue and brain fog – is difficult,” she added. “For the patient, it changes your outlook on life. Relationships and priorities change – quickly. Sunrises, sunsets and everything in between mean so much more. I don’t take a day for granted and hope I have many more.”

Bonnie noted that being surrounded by people who offer optimism and support makes a difference.

“My mom hugged me and said, ‘You be a warrior.’ And I feel like I was. I knew I was going to battle but I couldn’t do it alone,” she said. “I had an army of supporters – my husband and sons, my extended family, my friends and coworkers and the incredible HACCC care team. Hope was truly all around me.”

And that pink bracelet mentioned earlier? It’s still on her wrist as a reminder and source of inspiration.

“I hate it for what it represents – that I had cancer and I’m a cancer survivor,” she said. “But I also love it because it reminds me of how strong I needed to be. It gave me courage to hope for a brighter future and extra time.”

A day for those touched by cancer

As the 2023 marshal, Bonnie will share her story October 7 at MaineGeneral’s Day of Hope, at the Augusta Civic Center.

The event is a day full of inspiration, celebration, education and fun for the whole family. It also is a time to rally around those whose lives have been touched by cancer and to raise funds through the Walk for Hope to support care provided at the HACCC. The walk is part of the day’s activities.

The $10 cost per person includes access to an inspirational opening ceremony; the Walk for Hope; education events; cancer screenings; nutritious food samples and a Kids Zone, among other activities.

While encouraged, fundraising is not required. Cancer patients, survivors and children under 12 are welcome at no cost.

In sharing her experience, Bonnie hopes it will bring strength to others.

“My advice is to not give up when you get a cancer diagnosis. Keep living your life and never stop hoping,” she said. “I hate cancer, but if sharing my journey makes it easier for someone else, I’m happy to do it.”

To learn more about the Day of Hope, visit https://give.mainegeneral.org/hope. For information about MaineGeneral’s cancer care program, visit https://www.mainegeneral.org/cancer.

John D. Begin is a communications specialist in MaineGeneral Health’s Marketing and Communications Department.