St. Martiner Lydia Vanterpool is a woman of strength, who uses her faith in God, her determination and her will to overcome all odds, to fight breast cancer. She was first diagnosed in 2001 in the United States, after two medical doctors in St. Maarten told her that the lump she felt in her breast was not a medical threat.
“In 2001, I was home doing my normal body check and discovered something strange in my left breast. Without any hesitation, I visited a doctor in St. Maarten and I was informed that it was nothing to be concerned about and that I should return in six months for another check-up. However, I knew something felt abnormal in my breast so as a woman, I visited another doctor in St. Maarten for second opinion. I was not satisfied with the doctor’s response, as he said it was nothing to be alarmed about.”
“I started to pray as I felt within myself that something was in my breast. Within short, I contacted my very close friend Lydia Pierre-Rogers in the United States and she advised me to come visit her and she would arrange for me to see a doctor there. That became a delay due to the 9-11 Twin Towers incident, but I then travelled to New Jersey in January 2002. Several medical tests were completed within the space of three weeks. After all results came back, I was called to complete a needle biopsy that was not revealing what they wanted to see. Within short, a surgical biopsy was done and I was informed two weeks later that I had a large tumour in my left breast and it was malignant at stage three.”
The 37-year-old mother of one biological son, Demetrio L. David, and mother to many others who called her “Mama Lydia” said when she was first diagnosed, all she could think of was to praise God that she found out. “I praised God I did not take the doctors’ word in St. Maarten that all was well with my health. The doctor in America told me it was all in God’s hands. At that very moment, I decided I had to fight this through. There was sufficient information available at the hospital and session that I attended to help me understand and go through and be a fighter against this cancer.”
She then underwent surgery and a cocktail of treatments. “The first treatment was chemotherapy for a period of six months and next was the mastectomy. After some weeks, I did six weeks of radiation and another four sessions of chemotherapy. These treatments caused me to lose my hair, I got darker in complexion and felt nauseated. But that did not stop me from being thankful to God for my life. I always kept a positive attitude towards my illness.”
After many years of being cancer-free, while helping to plan the celebration of her aunt’s 100th birthday in 2013, Vanterpool felt another lump, but this time in her right breast.
“Without any hesitation, I visited a doctor in St. Maarten. Several medical tests including a mammogram were completed. With the result of two lumps in my breast, I was referred to the surgeon at St. Maarten Medical Center. A surgical biopsy was done. Results came back from Curaçao stating I had breast cancer. Due to my medical history, I decided to do a mastectomy and was advised to then do chemotherapy. My body encountered several complications including damaging my heart with taking the chemotherapy. I did not complete the full sessions of chemotherapy after several complications.”
Vanterpool said the mastectomy in 2013 was completely her choice. She never considered breast reconstruction due to several remarks made by others who had done the surgery. She said the toughest challenge in the process was retaining fluid in her body and not being able to get the medical care that was necessary to reduce the fluid that ended up damaging her heart. “Again I had to seek medical assistance elsewhere.”
Vanterpool credits her “strong faith in my God,” her family and friends who stood by her side during the entire process and who still stand by her side, for being able to battle her illness to date.
Vanterpool will know in 2018 if she is again cancer-free. “Presently, I am a fighting strong survivor.” Having breast cancer has made her love herself even more. She now follows her feelings, and always has strong faith.
“I encourage all women to do monthly self-examination after their menstruation. Don’t be afraid to visit your family doctor yearly. For women over 40, do a regular mammogram. Once the medical test is completed, return for your results. Lots of women do these tests, but never return for the results. Screening tests are a vital part of your health care. They can oftentimes catch cancer in its earliest stages, long before any actual symptoms may be noticed. There are particular cancer screening tests that are important for women. Each are highly effective and recommended for all females, although some tests are only performed at certain ages. Women with family history of cancer should make this a priority to be tested.”
She said breast cancer awareness is an effort to raise awareness and reduce the stigma of breast cancer. “I firmly believe that women in St. Maarten are fully aware of the importance of getting checked. But some are still afraid to be checked. There are foundations that can be contacted, such as the Positive and Elektralyets foundations, and St. Maarten Cancer Foundation which has a support group or even your family doctor.”
She said many women who are diagnosed still want to keep it private because they are afraid of what people may think or say about them and they are afraid to let others know they have cancer. “Women should know and believe having cancers does not make you less of a woman. One of the major barriers to diagnosis and treatment is stigma. The world has reduced the stigma of cancer greatly in the past 50 years, but in many countries, stigma is a barrier that can lead to late diagnosis and in turn, death.”
Vanterpool would like to see St. Maarten get a centre where women can feel free to visit any time of the year to be able to obtain hands on information about breast cancer. “This same centre can teach women how to care for their body, apply make-up and groom their wigs. Simply because most of the time, the support groups meet on a one-to-one interview; if there is a centre for women to go to, I believe more women will be open and speak out more of their situation. By having this in place, volunteers can be available for daily consultations.”
“Women need to check their bodies regularly. Women should know mammograms can help find breast cancer early. Most women can survive breast cancer if it’s found and treated early. Women ages 40-49 should talk with their doctor about when to start getting mammograms and how often you need them. Women ages 50-74 should get mammograms every two years. Talk with your doctor to decide if you need them more often.”
On a lighter side, Vanterpool’s dream holiday location would be Hawaii. “There isn't another place in the world which is as exotic and as beautiful as the Hawaiian Islands. world's most active volcano and the world's tallest sea mountain are found in Hawaii. I would like to see these wonders of nature.”
When she is not busy fighting cancer, Vanterpool is kept busy at her business: Lydia’s Flower Shop. She is also a member of St. Maarten Cancer Foundation which can be reached by calling 527-1319//587-6044//553-5251//527-8085.
Vanterpool’s future goals are to travel and visit more cancer centres. “While in America, I was a member of Gilda’s Club in Northern New Jersey.”
Her favourite quote is “Prayer changes things.”
