By Ana Good
In Mountain Brook, Suzan Doidge has been known for her vibrant spirit and unwavering commitment to her community.
Having worked as executive director for the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce for more than a decade, Doidge is a well-known figure in the city she’s called home for more than 42 years.
Four years ago, Doidge was a familiar face at every city event, always immersed in the bustle of everyday life.
“I was always moving in a fast direction on the way to the next event or to the next meeting,” Doidge recalled.
Then, suddenly, everything changed.
Doidge’s life took an unexpected turn in August 2019 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer – a journey that would challenge her in ways she never anticipated.
The Diagnosis
Doidge’s cancer journey began innocuously, with a routine mammogram that prompted further investigation.
“I went for a regular checkup,” she recalled.
Her doctor, Carol Swindle, had emphasized the importance of the checkup, noting it had been two years since Doidge’s last visit. The routine mammogram revealed an area in her right breast that needed further examination.
“I think the story here is, go for your regular checkup every year,” Doidge said. “I think so many women that work hard and have children, sometimes they just forget or they don’t think it’s a priority.”
Swindle referred Doidge to Dr. Timothy Bullock, a surgeon, who performed a biopsy. Bullock discovered a small cancerous spot that initially seemed manageable with a lumpectomy. However, a follow-up MRI revealed a more significant issue – a 6-centimeter mass in her left breast.
“It was 6 centimeters lobular behind the breastplate, which means it’s very hard to detect on a regular mammogram,” Doidge explained. “Had he not recommended the MRI, I would have been in serious trouble later on.”
The Treatment Journey
In October 2019, Doidge underwent a double mastectomy, which initially seemed to bring good news. Her surgeon indicated that all the cancer was removed and that her lymph nodes were clear.
Yet, the following day, she faced the crushing reality that cancer had, indeed, spread to her lymph nodes. This news marked the beginning of aggressive treatments at the Bruno Cancer Center at St. Vincent’s Hospital.
Doidge began chemotherapy in December 2019 with a drug cocktail known as “Red Devil.”
“Going through chemo, who wants to be in the situation where you’re literally going weekly in some cases for treatment?” she lamented. “I’d sit there and I’d look around the room and I’d see people that were much younger than I am who were really sick. I got to be close to a couple of people through the process that were facing serious outcomes and terminal illnesses. It was really sad, but it also made me realize how precious life is.”
Despite the daunting treatment schedule, Doidge managed to maintain her routine, often returning to her office at City Hall, where the COVID-19 pandemic’s lockdown provided her the opportunity to balance her work and recovery.
“I was able to go to work and sit in my office and interact with people on the phone,” she recalled, appreciating the normalcy amid the chaos of her diagnosis.
The Power of Community
Throughout her treatment, Doidge found immense strength in her community. She described the overwhelming support from friends, family and members of her church, Saint Luke’s, who organized prayer gatherings and offered countless acts of kindness.
“I couldn’t believe how many people would call me up and say, ‘I’m praying for you,”’ she said. “The food and the cards from people I didn’t even know. There’s even one person, who I’ve never met, who still checks on me like once a quarter.”
One memorable moment occurred when a prayer group from Church of the Highlands, many of whom she’d never met, showed up at her house in droves.
“I asked a couple of my neighbors, ‘Hey, some folks from Church of the Highlands are coming to pray for me. Y’all wanna join us?’ We thought it was going to be four or five people, and her husband, Neil, looks up at the street and says, ‘Hey, someone must be having a party.’ About 25 people showed up!” she laughed, the joy of community evident in her recounting.
Reflections on Life and Healing
Doidge’s battle with cancer taught her profound lessons about life, priorities and the human experience.
“This does make you think differently about life – how you live your life and who’s in your life,” she reflected. “It’s been a journey that I wouldn’t wish on anybody, but for me, under the circumstances, it was not that bad.”
She noted the emotional toll of cancer treatment, which can be profoundly isolating.
“If you talk to anybody that’s been through cancer treatments, first of all, it’s very depressing. It’s sad. It’s just something nobody wants to go to. It’s a club you never want to be in,” she admitted.
Yet, Doidge emerged with a renewed appreciation for the small things – “the pretty day, a great walk, your friends and your kids” – that now seemed more precious than ever.
Despite facing numerous challenges, including hair loss and physical changes from treatment, Doidge remained determined to share her story and help others navigating similar paths.
“Once you’re in this club, you feel a responsibility to pay it forward,” she said. “ I have tried to be a resource, and I have had people call me for advice. I never planned on being someone who was going to join the cancer support group or have the pink shirt on or the tag on my car, but you have to pay it forward. For those people who did so much for me, I’m trying to do the same. I’ve had a lot of folks reach out to me who wanted advice. I can say ‘Here’s what worked for me and this may work for you.’”
The Ongoing Journey
After more than a year of aggressive treatment, including multiple weeks of Red Devil chemotherapy, 38 radiation treatments and another 12 weeks of treatment with Taxol, Doidge underwent her final surgery, a breast reconstruction, in early 2021.
Looking back on her journey, she expresses deep gratitude for her care team and the community that supported her, emphasizing “the power of people and prayer,” on her experience.
After 14 years with the chamber, Doidge announced her retirement in early 2022. Today, Doidge is cherishing the simple joys of life.
“I really do cherish every day. I look for the positive, not the negative,” she noted. “I think I did learn a lot through this journey. I’m hopeful that I’ll continue to feel as good as I do.”
In sharing her experience, Doidge has become an advocate for early detection and the importance of regular health checkups.
“The big takeaway is to make sure you go and have a checkup every year,” she urged. “Take advantage of people who have been on this path because their advice is invaluable.”
As she continues to navigate life post-treatment and with regular checkups on the horizon, Doidge remains committed to helping others facing similar battles.
She is eagerly embracing the opportunity to enjoy retirement life with her husband, Neil, and their two children, Anne Raines and Campbell. She looks forward to more travels to Europe and Colorado, where her adult children now live, and one day hopes to cradle future grandchildren.
Doidge holds on to hope and the belief that she has much more life to live.
“I feel like I’ve got a lot of life to live and hope to live it as long as I can and as healthy as I can,” she said.
