Patient Testimonial - "One Day at a Time"

July 28, 2023 was supposed to be the day that 39-year-old Amber Grage of Sioux City had her hysterectomy but instead, she woke up from the anesthesia being told by her OBGYN, Dr. Kevin Hamburger from Siouxland Women’s Health Care, that he did not complete the surgery because he found cancer.

Scared and nervous, Amber was referred to Dr. Brent Tierney, a gynecologic oncologist at Methodist Estabrook Cancer Center in Omaha, for further testing to determine the course of treatment she would need. A PET scan also showed enlarged lymph nodes that would be removed and tested to determine if they were cancerous as well.

Amber was diagnosed with stage 3 cervical cancer. On August 28, 2023, she underwent a radical hysterectomy by Dr. Tierney, which required a 2-day hospital stay and six weeks of healing. Because there was cancer in Amber’s lymph nodes, she then needed 28 radiation treatments while also going through a rough chemotherapy regimen weekly for two months.

“The hardest part for me was having to take everything one day at a time,” said Amber. “I could have a plan, but things happened along the way that every day could be different. It was such a roller coaster and so challenging.”

One of Amber’s changes in plan came when she had a complication due to her liver enzymes being elevated which postponed her chemotherapy treatment that week. Then there was her last chemotherapy treatment. Amber elaborates, “I was supposed to celebrate my last treatment and then I told the nurses my hands were itchy and they jumped into action. I was having an allergic reaction to the chemo. The nurses responded so quickly and knew exactly what to do. Wouldn’t you know it though, something had to happen on my last treatment.”

Amber had a PET scan this past January and celebrated that it showed no evidence of disease. “I was relieved and thankful,” she says.

Amber will need to have continued follow-ups every three months with both the June E. Nylen Cancer Center and in Omaha. She emphasizes her three doctors – Dr. Chandana Javvaji (medical oncologist), Dr. Lisa Chaiken (radiation oncologist), and Dr. Tierney (gynecologic oncologist) are all such caring and understanding doctors. She adds, “As challenging as it is, I would tell new patients to be open and talk to the staff at the June E. Nylen Cancer Center. They will answer all your questions and they care so much. But they care about more than just your treatment. They will help you through it all – through everything that goes with having cancer. They know how hard it is and want to help you.”

Amber also says you have to be willing to acknowledge when you need help. Amber appreciates her sister, mom, aunt, and so many more wonderful people who helped her through the last year. “I could not have done this without all those who helped me and my family.”

Amber was not able to work since her surgery and throughout her cancer treatment so she had the additional stress of how to support her family during this time. It took her a few more months to feel better following her treatment and regain her strength. Amber recently returned to work at Wells Enterprises.

“I’m thankful my employer was understanding and I’m lucky because I had good benefits although I still have a lot of medical bills. My exact position was open when I was able to go back to work.”

Amber took on an additional challenge while she was off work. “I was used to working a lot so when it was not physically possible to work, I had to do something to keep my mind busy and focused.” Amber started taking classes while going through her treatment and will earn a degree in Human Resources by the end of this year.

“I’ve always told my kids that if you put your mind to it, it’s possible to do anything.” Amber has shown them first-hand!

Cancer does not only impact the patient. Cancer also affects a patient’s family, friends, co-workers, and entire support system. “When I was down, my family was really hurting. I realized I was my family’s rock so knowing my family needed me is what got me through each day. I went through tough times but I had to get through for them.”

Now that Amber is back to work she is focused on saving money for something she learned through her cancer journey. “I told myself I would slow down and enjoy life. I said I would spend more time with my family and we would go on more family vacations.”

Amber’s first goal with completing her cancer treatment, going back to work, and wrapping up her college classes = taking her family to Disneyland this Christmas. She’s setting goals and making each day count!

Amber Grage and her family pose with the Sioux City Explorer's Coach Steve Montgomery back at the X's Strike Out Cancer night in June. Pictured with Steve and Amber are Amber’s boyfriend, Craig; Amber’s 20-year-old son Jordan, his girlfriend Kaylei, and their 3-year-old daughter Bexley; Amber’s 12-year-old daughter Emorie; and her 9-year-old twins Maxwell and Madelyn.

Amber ringing the bell in the June E. Nylen Cancer Center's lobby along with members of her family and support team when she was done with her treatments.

Amber ringing the bell in the June E. Nylen Cancer Center's lobby along with members of her family and support team when she was done with her treatments.