Abbeville's Janice Desormeaux Stakes tells her cancer story

In honor of National Cancer Survivor Day, Janice Stakes has been chosen to represent cancer survivors in Vermilion Parish.
Her courage and strength were not only inspirational to the staff at the Cancer Center, but also to other survivors. She continues to spread hope and awareness to the community. Through her consistent dedication to spreading awareness, Stakes was nominated and chosen as a board of the Levy Cancer Foundation.

Her cancer story

Hello, my name is Janice Desormeaux Stakes and this is my cancer story.
When I found my lump I was convinced and imagined things didn’t happen to me. I was 60 years old and had never been sick a day in my life.
Then, Thanksgiving Week of 2012, I had my annual mammogram. Little did I know that it would come back with cancer. Yes, I had breast cancer. The mammogram showed an abnormality and a biopsy revealed ductal carcinoma in my left breast.
Where do I start to fight this battle? I prayed, my family prayed, my friends prayed, my school prayed and people I just met prayed. They sent me words of encouragement, masses, cards, and whoa, how could I not fight this battle with all these people who believed that I could win? So my fight began!!!
My first decision was to choose a doctor that I felt comfortable with. I chose Dr. Henry Kaufman, Jr., a Godly man. That was battle number one. He suggested a lumpectomy, which I successfully completed on December 1, 2012. Thank you God! Dr. Kaufman explained that I would need to do chemotherapy and radiation as an extra precautionary measure. He then introduced me to Dr. Michael Cain, who comes to Abbeville General Hospital in their new Cancer Center. He reviewed my case and, after talking to him, I realized that I met another Godly man. I now had my Oncologist.
On January 19, 2013, I began my chemotherapy treatment. I met the four most wonderful women in my life. The doors opened on the remodeled third floor at Abbeville General and there they were waiting for me. They had a room with chairs set up for my family to sit with me. They served me breakfast, and I really thought I was at a spa! The first face I saw was Vanessa Hebert, the secretary/receptionist; she was so helpful and encouraging. As I walked down the hall I saw three registered nurses ready to help me. Little did I know that they were parents from my Mount Carmel School – Connie Suire, Shannon Broussard and Katie Frith. I felt like I was home. One prayed with me, one educated me and one smiled and encouraged me. Thank you, Jesus, for sending all those angels into my life.
You never realize how many people you will meet along this journey with cancer and the bond you make with them. My last day of treatment was on July 9, 2013. This was a sad day just knowing that my support group at Abbeville General was finished. I want everyone to know how great those angels are at the Cancer Center of Acadiana at Abbeville General on the 3rd floor. God Bless them!
The next step was six weeks of radiation at Our Lady of Lourdes with Dr. Prellup and her wonderful staff. On September 18, 2013, I was finished treatment. Yeah!!!
Cancer is a scary word, but with God, prayers, family and good friends, doctors and people you meet along the way, you realize it is for a reason!
Women, do not neglect yourselves. Don’t be weak. Get up and fight and together we will win this battle of breast cancer! Janice Stakes