YOUNGSTOWN — Prior to May 2021, Patricia Hripko had no idea that she would be fighting two types of cancers that would leave her wondering if she would be able to be around for an upcoming family wedding.

Following her annual mammogram, two small lumps were revealed in Patricia’s right breast. Biopsies were performed at the Joanie Abdu Breast Care Center, which revealed HER2+ breast cancer. Dr. Antoine Chahine, who was her hematologist, now became her oncologist as plans for care were discussed.

“But fate stepped in and I was shocked to find myself in the hospital having emergency gallbladder surgery the very week I was supposed to have a lumpectomy,” Patricia said. “Non-Hodkins lymphoma was discovered in my abdomen.

“Breast cancer did not scare me nearly as much as the large B-cell lymphoma. It was made worse by the fact that I saw it on my chart before any doctor told me,” she said.

She was quickly sent back to Chahine’s office to hear about a new plan — she would have a double treatment of chemotherapy, which would be twice as strong. She would receive R-CHOP 2 — a combination chemotherapy–for two days, four hours each day, every three weeks.

“That was followed by the hardest part of my chemo on the third day,” Patricia said.

A Neulasta OnPro Patch (pegfilgrastim) was put on her arm and after 27 hours, it automatically injected the medicine into her bone marrow to help fight infection.

“It created bone pain that was nearly unbearable at times in my head, jaw, spine and shoulders,” she said. “That is when I shed tears a few times.”

Along with it, she had to take 100 milligrams of prednisone, anti-inflammatory, for five days and two Claritin allergy pills per day for three days. The dryness in her system wasn’t relieved for months even though she drank six to eight glasses of water per day and ate ice chips constantly. She lost 40 pounds.

“I was lucky that my energy level would recover for the next 10 days until the next round,” she said.

During all of this, Patricia told Chahine that he had to keep her alive at least three months so that she could attend the wedding of her granddaughter and she needed to be there.

“With a caring voice and twinkle in his eye, he assured me that he would keep me alive much longer as long as I could hand the double shot of chemo. His confidence gave me the courage and hope that I could get through the next six months,” she said.

Patricia’s children and grandchildren were unaware of what she was dealing with. “I didn’t want to let my grandchildren know. I didn’t want to put a damper on my oldest granddaughter’s wedding.”

Her loving partner, Ron, and her sister convinced her that it was time to tell her three children, who then told the others. In a conference call, she explained to them that she was not fearful and knew she would be OK and was not going anywhere soon.

“As I sensed their tears and fear, I told them they could have 10 minutes to cry and worry over my health, but I was very confident in my care team, unafraid, and full of faith,” Patricia said.

In May 2022, she had the breast lumps removed and in June started 15 radiation treatments. In July, the day after her last radiation treatment, Patricia and Ron went on a long-delayed two-month road trip to see family in Idaho, Montana, Las Vegas and California, driving more than 8,000 miles.

All the cards, letters, flowers, gifts and especially prayers helped Patricia to feel the love and support that surrounded her continuously.

“That feeling continues to sustain me as I am one and a half years in remission. I am 79 years of age and looking forward to my 80th birthday in March, and I’m going to be a great-grandmother,” she said.

Patricia shares this advice with those suspecting breast cancer or facing treatment:

• Don’t put off acting on any suspicion you might have.

• Think positive and stay as active as you can.

• Do whatever you can to help yourself feel better.

• Let people be there for you.

• Educate yourself (however it can become overwhelming).

What kept Patricia going? “The thought of living for my grandchildren — three were married since my diagnosis. I felt I’ve got to keep going for them, I’m just so blessed.”