< PreviousHer battle against breast cancer be- gan just a few short months before that in August 2022. “I was taking a shower and felt something,” she said. “It was pretty big, so I automatically called our clinic. They couldn’t get me in until the end of the month. When I finally made it in and they felt the lump, they ordered the tests and the results came back positive for breast cancer.” Glover’s ultimate diagnosis was a type of invasive ductal carcinoma stage II left breast cancer, and when she heard the news, all she could think was all the things she could have done to cause her to develop breast cancer. “I started thinking about how I should have eaten better or exercised more, but my surgical oncologist Dr. [Colleen] Silva reassured me I didn’t do anything wrong,” Glover said, express- ing gratitude for that reminder from her doctor. Her chemotherapy treatments began shortly after that, and they took a toll on her. From fatigue to joint pain and nausea, Glover was feeling it all, and that’s exactly why she had to make the hard decision to take it easy during the 2022 holiday season. “My fiancé and sons were informed, however, I really didn’t plan on telling the rest of my family until after the hol- idays were over, because I didn’t want to ruin the season for everyone with such sad news,” said the 49-year-old mother of four boys. “But, my oldest son was emotionally overwhelmed and broke down during the Thanksgiving holidays, so I had to go ahead and share with my remaining family and friends. I realized that my boys needed the support of our entire family.” Upon sharing with her loved ones, Glover was surprised by the response and support she received. “Honestly, it was challenging seeing people concerned about me, because I never stopped to think of how the news would impact others,” she said. “It really opened my eyes to see how many people cared about me and what they felt and thought about me. Sud- denly, I became aware it wasn’t just me going through this alone.” Having dedicated her life to serving others, it took Glover some time to ad- just to being the one on the receiving end of so much care and attention. “It’s a totally different thing when you’re on the other side,” she said. “It was so heartfelt seeing all those who showed up in service of me. When you’re sick and things happen, you re- ally find out who your friends are and who will be there.” Despite the outpouring of support around her, Glover still was pushing the limits of what she could do on her own. “I’ve always been very determined, so I tested a lot of boundaries with myself,” she said. “When I should have been resting, I would get up and come to work because I knew I had a longer road ahead of me and needed to pace myself. And frankly, I wanted to be here at work because it took my mind off of my issues and problems.” From a mastectomy of her left breast to chemo treatments and radiation, Glover has endured a lot during her journey, and it’s not quite over just yet. “I’ll be starting immunotherapy soon, and then I’ll have another surgery,” she said, mentioning that she hopes to wait until after the start of 2024 for the procedure. The lengthy process has been one that’s been filled with both good days and bad days. “There were days where emotionally and mentally I didn’t feel like myself, especially looking in the mirror and I didn’t have my hair. I didn’t even recognize myself,” she said. “It almost makes you feel as if you don’t have a purpose. I felt all those things. I felt so much, but on those hard days I would just start counting down from five to get out of bed, and then I’d do it again to get me to the next step.” As she worked to make it to each next step, the loved ones and col- leagues she had in her corner helped give her the additional strength she needed to keep going, as did the care team she had guiding her along the way. “I had wonderful doctors,” she said. “I thank them so much for thinking outside of the box as they cared for me.” 10 | The Daily News | Think Pink | 2023 On the other side of care — a nurse’s journey with breast cancer Story by Jessica Wyble Photos courtesy of Cleo Glover “It’s a totally different thing when you’re on the other side. It was so heartfelt seeing all those who showed up in service of me. When you’re sick and things happen, you really find out who your friends are and who will be there.” CLEO GLOVER F or more than two decades, Cleo Glover has used her skills, gifts and talents as a nurse to care for countless individuals in Hos- pital Galveston on the UTMB Health Galveston Campus. “I’ve always had a particular liking for supporting this population,” she said, referring to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice patients cared for through the Correctional Managed Care component of UTMB Health. “They don’t have anyone to speak up on their behalf.” Working her way up from nursing student all the way to nurse manager, Glover has seen a lot during her years of service, and the hospitable, caring spirit that makes her a great leader and caregiver extends far beyond her professional work. “I’m the one who always hosts our family get-togethers, and this past hol- iday season was the first time I didn’t do our big family Christmas party,” she said, mentioning that Thanksgiving 2022 was the last big holiday she han- dled as hostess. 2023 | Think Pink | The Daily News | 11 B attling breast cancer is not something new for Matilda Pettis. In 2009, while living in Ten- nessee, she had a bout she was able to overcome quickly. “I just needed surgery and then ev- erything was fine,” she said, recounting that her experience back then felt like a fast one. Fast forward more than a decade to earlier this year. She moved a case of water and thought she pulled a muscle. But then she realized the lump was getting larger, so she decided to go see her primary care provider for guidance on what to do. A few phone calls were made, and, by March, she had the biopsy and diagnosis that confirmed she’d need treatment for breast cancer. However, this time was going to be different than her experience back in 2009 for a few reasons. One, she was in Texas now, which is what helped bring her to UTMB. “I’m a big believer in God’s divine plan and believe he helped bring me here to encounter the angels I have at the [UTMB Breast Health] clinic,” said Pettis, who had nothing but great things to say about her care team, mentioning everyone from patient navigator Sherry Bogar to her surgical oncologist Dr. Colleen Silva. This time also was different because some key people were missing from Learning to trust the process Story by Jessica Wyble Photo courtesy of Matilda Pettis Pettis’s support system. “I didn’t have my mom this time,” said Pettis, who mentioned her mom was a tremendous help the first round assisting her with things like cooking and cleaning, beyond just moral and emotional support. Her closest friends and female family members also have been physically ab- sent from a lot of her journey this year, simply because they live out of state, but they’re holding her accountable over the phone, reminding her she’s strong and able to beat this. “They’ve been so great, especially when I’ve been emotional,” Pettis said. “They’ve told me ‘get it together sis, you’ve done this before and you can do it again.’” A little more than six months into her current battle, Pettis is doing her best to stay strong and take it day by day. At the time of this interview, she’s undergone a few surgeries and is awaiting word on what the next steps will entail — mainly if she’ll need radi- ation or not or if she’ll even continue taking the chemo pill she’s been on for a bit. “I pray there’s no radiation needed,” she said, adding that her experience with the chemo pill has been one with very mild, if any, side effects. Whatever the outcome, Pettis has made her mind up that she will try to stop planning things and instead will just trust the process and the power of prayer. “Planning was and has always been my coping mechanism,” she said. “Ul- timately, you have to have the power of prayer and you have to stay strong because if you break down the entire process will defeat you. “I’m learning to stop crying, learning to stop trying to take over instead of just going with the flow, trusting that every- thing has a time and a place,” she said. “When you’re by yourself, a part of you almost doesn’t feel worthy of that kind of kindness. I’m learning to let people help me and accept when they offer their support.” MATILDA PETTIS She’s also learning how to accept kindness, even when it comes from the most unexpected places. “My coworkers have been so fan- tastic,” she said. “They worked out a ro- tation schedule to be with me through- out the day of one of my surgeries. The kindness that’s been extended to me has just been so rewarding.” Pettis added that the support hasn’t stopped as she’s recovering from her surgery at home. “They have come here to check on me and told me to call them if I need anything — even just help warming up some food,” she said. While she’s grateful for the outpour- ing of support she’s enjoyed from friends and family alike — frequent- ly referencing individuals who have called to check on her and a niece who even came and stayed with her during her first big surgery — she mentioned that it’s been a bit difficult to take it all in without feeling like a burden. “When you’re by yourself, a part of you almost doesn’t feel worthy of that kind of kindness,” she said. “I’m learn- ing to let people help me and accept when they offer their support.” As Pettis continues to take each day as it comes, there are two things she’s giving herself permission to plan — trips with her friends and family in the coming years. “Every year there’s a jazz festival in Mexico,” she said. “My niece and I were talking about it. So next year we’re going.” Then, looking ahead to 2025, she’s eyeing a full-family cruise around the Mediterranean. “I’m just thankful I’m alive and able to travel,” she said, adding that she hopes her story brings hope to others facing their own breast cancer battle. “My main advice for anyone with a new diagnosis is just don’t panic,” she said. “Do what the doctors say and by all means do not go researching by yourself on the internet.” 12 | The Daily News | Think Pink | 2023 Breast Cancer Awareness Month Get screened. Early detection saves lives. Screening mammograms remain one of the most effective methods for detecting breast cancer. Regular mammograms can help find breast cancer at an early stage when treatment is most likely to be successful. A mammogram can find signs of early cancers years before a lump is felt or other symptoms develop. Is it time for your mammogram? Contact our Breast Health team at (409) 772-7150, visit our website at utmbhealth.com/mammo or scan the QR code to schedule your mammogram.Next >