By Anne Ruisi
Surgery was about the only option available in the 1970s when Marilyn Mitchell Waggoner’s mother was diagnosed with colon cancer.
Initially it was successful. For almost five years the procedure kept the cancer at bay, but it returned and eventually Waggoner’s mother passed away.
“We didn’t then have the benefit of knowledge that we do now” to fight cancer, especially thanks to lifesaving research at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, said Waggoner, herself a breast cancer survivor who advocates for early detection and finding a cure.
On Jan. 28, she’ll be honored at ROAR’s James Bond Gala at The Club. It will be the nonprofit’s 12th annual gala fundraiser.
“I’m overwhelmed to be asked to be the honoree,” the Vestavia Hills resident said. “I feel in a position to represent people everywhere who’ve gone through this valley to get to the other side.”
ROAR’s mission is to raise money for cancer research programs at the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Radiation Oncology Department. ROAR is an acronym for Radiation Oncology Accelerated Research.
Cancer is a disease pervasive in society, with one in two men and one in three women developing cancer in their lifetimes, according to ROAR’s website, roarthecure.org.
Waggoner’s own cancer journey, which began in early 2013, started like many others, with something unusual detected during a routine doctor’s visit, she said. A mammogram, a scan and biopsy followed and, finally, a startling diagnosis: Stage 3 triple negative breast cancer.
“It’s very shocking to hear the big C word,” she said, even though due to her family history, she was aware of cancer screening measures, such as colonoscopies.
Waggoner’s treatment course was a lumpectomy, followed by chemotherapy and then radiation.
The Travails of Treatment
During chemo, she was told to expect hair loss. She was in the shower after her second round and it started to fall out.
“I just lost it,” Waggoner said.
She underwent radiation for six to eight weeks, which she said wasn’t as bad as she expected.
Her family and friends were supportive. “My husband and daughter were there with me every step of the way,” Waggoner said. She is married to Sen. Jabo Waggoner, R-Vestavia Hills, and they have a daughter, Lyn Kilpatrick.
Loving gestures from family and friends helped boost her spirits, such as the blanket, snacks and water bottle a grandchild gave her to take to treatment sessions. Her sons would call her while she was having an infusion.
Waggoner’s been in remission since her treatment ended, 10 years for which she is thankful. In the time since then, she’s been a support to others on their cancer journey, especially in a one-on-one capacity. She lent that support to her daughter when Kilpatrick was diagnosed with colon cancer.
“They caught it early and she’s in remission, Waggoner said.
She emphasizes early detection played a key role in her daughter’s treatment and recovery. To catch cancer before it spreads, Waggoner advocates people keep up annual physical exams.
“Cancer doesn’t always present itself as you might expect” and doctor visits can certainly help.
Waggoner was treated by doctors affiliated with Ascension St. Vincent’s Birmingham and benefited from medical advances at UAB. She wholeheartedly supports cancer research and lauds the doctors, researchers and scientists who are fighting to stamp out this disease.
“We’re so fortunate to have UAB here,” she said. “Cancer’s been with us for such a long time. It’s time to get rid of it.”
