Correspondent photo / Sean Barron Georgiana Naoum of Boardman was diagnosed in early 2011 with breast cancer and hopes her story will help others who are battling the disease.

BOARDMAN — A snapshot in a small window of Georgiana Naoum’s life reveals something of a sharp crossroads: As she was about to be engaged and married to her second husband, she also was diagnosed with a serious disease.

“I went for a routine mammogram and was told to go for further testing for a biopsy,” Naoum, 67, of Boardman, said.

Shortly after that, things got off to anything but a smooth start. Almost immediately after leaving the appointment, Naoum discovered she had a flat tire, so a friend and colleague had to be summoned to take her to the appointment.

“She was there for the whole thing, and we are still besties today,” Naoum said.

Soon after, her gynecologist called Naoum at work to inform her that the results were positive for breast cancer and that she would need to undergo a lumpectomy, said Naoum, who, at the time, taught computer technology and a self-contained fifth-grade class at Youngstown Rayen Early College Middle School.

Naoum received her diagnosis in January 2011.

No time was wasted in addressing the situation.

Within about an hour, an appointment was made with a surgeon to perform the lumpectomy, which, unlike a mastectomy, entails removing only the tumor and a small amount of healthy tissue around it.

As part of the procedure, a port was inserted. Also, three lymph nodes were removed, one of which was cancerous, Naoum recalled, noting that she had cancer in one breast.

She also expressed gratitude to the doctor who removed the port, saying that he cared enough to perform the procedure even during the time he was supposed to go into the U.S. Army Reserves.

At the same time, Naoum was preparing to marry her husband, Paul Sundelin, who she called “my biggest supporter. He was right there for me.”

To attack the disease, Naoum needed to undergo six rounds of chemotherapy, along with six or seven weeks of daily radiation, she said.

Nevertheless, she was able to finish the school year and periodically took days off for the chemotherapy, said Naoum, who has two daughters, Alexa Matsui and Stephanie Adams.

She also spent time at The Hope Center for Cancer Care in Youngstown, where she met “compassionate people who explained everything I needed to know,” Naoum said.

“The day I went, I wasn’t as frightened,” added Naoum, who prefers to describe herself as a cancer survivor instead of someone whose disease is in remission.

Also part of her journey was the Joanie Abdu Comprehensive Breast Care Center at St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital, which she referred to as “the best in the area. I believe that they have all the equipment to diagnose you immediately.”

In addition, she has been a regular fixture at the annual Panerathon 10K or 2-mile walk and runs every August at the Covelli Centre, though she was unable to attend this year’s event because of an injury.

The premier fundraiser for the Mercy Health Foundation of the Mahoning Valley is invaluable also because it reminds her of the high number of local people who support the cause and those dealing or having dealt with cancer, Naoum said.

“A lot of the teams are in remembrance of loved ones who didn’t make it, and it grounds me to see how fortunate I am to survive,” she added.

Naoum, who also has served as a math tutor at Boardman Center Intermediate School, said she is a staunch advocate of receiving early diagnosis and treatment. In addition, she had a bit of practical advice for those who are newly diagnosed with the disease, or may be having difficulty processing the news.

“Have a positive attitude. Take each day one day at a time,” she said, adding, “Go get checked, because it is something you can survive.”

Naoum also enjoys spending time with her six young grandchildren, with a seventh due in November.