The Shelia Carter-Little Story
Shelia Carter-Little traces her love of the game to her husband, Al. Whether playing together or with friends, the couple loves golf. However, she never anticipated golf would help guide her when she found a lump in her breast.
One day, after playing at Bay Hill with a member, Shelia met a long-time friend of Women Playing For T. I. M. E. (WPFT) who invited her to participate in the upcoming golf tournament benefiting breast cancer patients and
MD Anderson Cancer Center Orlando. Having had two breast cancer scares herself, Shelia accepted the invitation.
"I've always felt breast exams are very important," Shelia says. She has performed her self-exams for over 20 years, and received her first mammogram when she turned 40.
In the summer of 2005, as Shelia performed her monthly exam, she felt a lump. At first she dismissed it, but when she felt the mass again, she made an appointment with her primary physician who confirmed the lump. However, when she tried to schedule a mammogram the first opening was not until December.
"You cannot imagine the anxiety of having to wait three months," she says. "Having had two benign lumps removed previously didn't calm my nerves. I knew that as I get older the likelihood of getting cancer increases," she explains. She also knew that African American women are twice as likely to die from breast cancer, often due to late detection.
Through her WPFT connections, Shelia knew to call Rita Mahaffey, the breast care coordinator at MD Anderson - Orlando. Rita guided her through the process and scheduled a mammogram within days. As she entered the Breast Diagnostic Center, Shelia saw the frosted plaque "Sheila Solomon Women's Center" donated by WPFT.
When Shelia's mammogram revealed something suspicious, Rita reviewed her options and suggested surgeons. Later, when the surgeon examined her, he found two additional lumps. With three suspicious lumps, the surgeon recommended excisional biopsies to remove the masses.
"I was frightened out of my mind," Shelia says. Surgery, in general, is stressful, and this impending surgery was particularly traumatic. "My husband and I put everything on hold. We didn't want to make plans when we didn't know what, if any, treatment I would need," Shelia shares. "Cancer is a family illness. It doesn't just affect the patient, but all the other family members as well."
After the November surgery, Shelia met with her surgeon for the results. In this case, the outcome was good. All three biopsies were benign. "I'm glad to know I am involved in an organization that is making a difference in the lives of Orlando women."
"Anytime you find a lump, you're filled with fear and anxiety," says Shelia.
"MD Anderson - Orlando was wonderful. They worked quickly and compassionately to address all my health concerns."