By Kellie Houx

KHoux@cherryroad.com

LIBERTY — The COVID-19 pandemic led to sharp declines in cancer screenings across the board, including breast cancer screenings. In 2020, Amy Johnston, the manager of the Breast Care Center at Liberty Hospital, didn’t get her mammogram. Instead, she was planning her wedding.

The next year, Johnston got all her scans and cancer was discovered against her chest wall on the right side.

“The side view saw it,” she said. “I got the biopsy done and then a lumpectomy three weeks later. Unfortunately, it was ERP positive (estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer), HER 2 positive (human epidermal growth factor 2), and that required chemo and radiation.”

The cancer was detected in August 2021. After that, a whirlwind of treatments began.

“The HER 2 treatment can hurt the heart,” she explained, “so I was also treated by a cardiologist.”

She has worked at the hospital for 35 years, starting in radiology and then moving to the Breast Center.

“Even when we were cleared to see patients after COVID, I delayed my screening tests like many women,” she said. “I think people were still learning to come back into the hospital.”

Johnston said she believes the cancer would have been found earlier in 2020. She wishes she would have moved quicker.

“However, I’m walking, living proof to return to those necessary screenings and get them done,” she said.

During her treatments, Johnston’s sisters would stay with her for support. One of her sisters is a barber, and on a visit, Johnston had her sister shave her hair as well one of her sons and new husband.

“Losing the hair didn’t bother me that much,” she said. “Losing my eyebrows and eyelashes bothered me more.”

Through it, Johnston continued working. Her attire changed to hats and turbans. She praises the support team at work.

“The year I was diagnosed, my team in the Breast Center had shirts made with ‘Her fight is our fight, Team Amy’ on them and the staff and family and friends wore those shirts to the Breast Cancer Walk that year and would wear them to work.”

Her husband also got a tattoo with the words, “Your battle is my battle.”

“I thought that was all pretty amazing,” she said.

Johnston said she knows firsthand that screenings can change your life.

“I was very blessed,” she said. “I was drained, but I didn’t get sick. I listened to the doctors during this journey.”

During chemo treatments, Johnston would write in her journal, watch a movie, hold her rosary and curl up under her blanket.

“While I didn’t talk to others during treatment, the techs now have come to get me and I have talked with the newly diagnosed,” she said. “If I can help one person, it matters. Just remember, don’t skip the screenings. Get back on track.”<n>