When undergoing something as serious as breast cancer, keeping a positive mindset and attitude can often be the most challenging part of the journey. When all things seem to stack up against you and your world is dark, it can be hard to see the light. However, for two-time breast cancer survivor Maranda Baggett, staying positive even in the midst of her cancer diagnosis was instrumental in her healing process.
Baggett was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 after she woke up with a red spot on her right breast. Upon seeing the spot, Baggett scheduled a mammogram, which later came back as negative for cancer.
“It came as quite a shock,” said Baggett. “My mammogram actually came back negative.”
It wasn’t until Baggett did a self examination that she found a lump under her left arm. An ultrasound found a mass that metastasized from her breasts to her lymph nodes. Baggett had never really done self examinations before but the one time she did, it may have saved her life.
“Had I not, I might never have known,” Baggett said.
Following the diagnosis, Baggett’s life and her family’s life were completely upended
“My oldest ended up taking on the mom role while I went into treatment,” Baggett said. “It was a very difficult time.”
However, despite the diagnosis and the pain brought with it, Baggett’s positive attitude never waned.
“You hear a lot about stages of anger; well, I never really had that,” said Baggett. “I never asked why, I just did it. I never said ‘why me?’ It was just something I had to do, so I did it.”
As the weeks passed and Baggett’s treatment progressed, she would find that her positive attitude was her biggest weapon against cancer.
“I stayed positive the entire time,” said Baggett. “That was the key to it all. I didn’t want people to feel sorry for me.”
After several months of treatment, Baggett’s cancer went into remission. After treatment, she started working at Sampson Regional Medical Center in May of 2019 as a clinical administrator and case manager. Her life seemed to finally start piecing its way back together. That was until she found another lump in the same spot. She demanded that a biopsy be done even though it would damage the implants she received after her mastectomy.
“It came back in the exact same spot.” said Baggett. “Exact same spot, exact same cancer.”
Though it was the same type of cancer, this time the cancer had not metastasized to anywhere else. So there Baggett was, undergoing treatment again. This time, she kept the same positive attitude but remained adamant about not wanting to lose her hair.
“I didn’t want to come back to work and look sicker than my patients,” said Baggett.
As a way to prevent hair loss, Baggett chose to wear a cold cap, effectively an ice pack helmet, to cool her scalp post chemo and radiation and keep her her at less risk. Baggett stayed home a year before going back to work at the hospital.
Now, 10 years after her first diagnosis, Baggett is cancer-free and in remission. According to a test she underwent, Baggett now has a 27 percent chance of getting any type of cancer again. Even though this is true, Baggett faces scars of her battle in her everyday life. For example, radiation treatment left her bones extremely brittle. As such, Baggett has suffered many incidents of broken ribs. However, Baggett’s battle with cancer has also made her more appreciative of the time she has as she now knows every moment is precious.
“Cancer has definitely made me a more appreciative person,” said Baggett. “Every birthday, every graduation, every milestone I get with my kids is a moment I prayed for. It’s made us as a family close. We take more trips now. My kids understand the importance of life. It’s made me a better person. You think things differently. You have a better outlook on everything.”
Looking back, Baggett cites her positive outlook as a key factor in her healing and success.
“There is a lot of good in my bad situation,” Baggett said. “I’m still here, that’s what’s important.”
For others who may be going through a battle with cancer, Baggett recommends a positive attitude and a group of people who have also gone through similar experiences. Baggett shared that she mentors other individuals in addition to having a mentor herself whom she calls her “Breastie Friend.”
“It’s hard to talk about it with someone who’s never experienced it,” said Baggett. “Be positive, leave the negative out. Have hope, this is temporary. This is not what defines you. Let people help you. Most importantly, do your mammograms and self exams.”