By Crystal McGough
The month of October is a time for people across the nation to not only reflect on the dangers of breast cancer, but to become educated, educate others and reach out to help the fight for the cure.
Unfortunately, there are many who disregard the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month until breast cancer, in one way or another, affects them or their loved ones. However, this serious disease is closer to home than many people think, even as close as your own community.
Trussville’s own Massey family came face-to-face with breast cancer when beloved wife, mother, and “Bunny” (grandmother) Sheila Massey was diagnosed with breast cancer in August.
Trussville’s Sheila P. Massey, 58, lost her battle with breast cancer during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
photo submitted
Massey was first diagnosed by her primary care physician on Aug. 20. The cancer was confirmed through a biopsy on Aug. 23. Fifty-one days after her fight against cancer began, Massey lost her battle on Oct. 9, during the very month dedicated to breast cancer awareness.
“From the first day of her diagnosis, my mom was in complete peace,” daughter Amber Massey Henderson said. “She knew that God was in control and that there was a purpose in her life that this fight would help to fulfill.”
Massey began treatment at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Birmingham and then moved to the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Comprehensive Cancer Center.
“She liked that at UAB there was a team of doctors that all corresponded,” Henderson said
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After a bone scan, positron emission tomography (PET) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Massey was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer. At that point, the cancer had already spread to her lungs, liver, femurs, spine, ribs and brain.
Massey underwent Gamma Knife Radiation treatment for the small spot on her brain, and she had a bone infusion once a month to strengthen her bones. Instead of beginning chemotherapy, doctors started her on hormonal therapy, which was one pill a day.
“It was known to work better than the chemotherapy because her type of breast cancer was tested estrogen positive,” Henderson said.
Massey was supposed to go for her second bone infusion Oct. 10, the day after she passed away. She was also expected to have another PET scan in November to see if the hormonal therapy had made improvement.
On Oct. 9, however, Massey passed away from a pulmonary embolism (blood clot), which doctors believe traveled from her lungs to her heart.
“Everyone that has talked to the family about my mom always describes her as being one of the sweetest women they have ever known,” Henderson said. “She was compassionate, smart, and always there to listen if you need her. She smiled even during times of trials and pushed us to think about the positive in every situation, which of course, is not always easy. She strived to lead a Godly life and to teach us the true meaning of God’s love.”
Massey is survived by her loving husband of 27 years, Doug Massey; four daughters, Christy Wilkins, Kim Ray, Nikki Temple and Amber Henderson; and four grandchildren, Whitney Wilkins, 13, Taylor Wilkins, 11, Collin Temple, 2, and Emma Ray, 1.
“She loved to have our family together and to cherish the moments we shared,” Henderson said. “She was the one you looked to for comfort and advice. She was the person everyone wanted to be. She was the most loving wife, mother, and Bunny you could ask for. She was our rock.”
Henderson said her mother’s battle with breast cancer has changed her dramatically.
“It has taught me how something as simple as a cough could change your life drastically, especially when it is really cancer you are battling,” she said. “It reminds me to always continue to get your yearly check up and stay on top of even the simplest things.”
Her mom’s faith and peace pushed her closer to God, she said.
“We did a devotional every morning and discussed it,” Henderson said. “I felt God moving in my life every moment, but it doesn’t compare to her unyielding peace and faith she had. It doesn’t even get close. I will hold this close to my heart the rest of my life. I will know that God spared her the pain of chemo and still answered my prayers, even if it is not how I wanted Him too. She is happy and I will always know that she was ready.”
Massey and her family have been members at The Summit Church in Trussville for five years.
“Our church has been an amazing help to our family during the fight and presently during this time of her passing,” Henderson said. “They set up two days a week of bringing food, offering counseling, and just wonderful support.”
A visitation for Massey was held on Oct.11, and her service was Oct. 12 at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home and Gardens. The Masseys’ pastor, Sean Cherry, officiated over the services.
Cherry said that Massey’s legacy is what remains.
“Her legacy is one you dream of having when you finally leave this life and are reunited (with God),” Henderson said. “The one of being the most compassionate, the one who always takes time to listen no matter how it disrupts your day, the one who smiles and nods letting you know she understands, the person who will stop and pray no matter where you are and remind you that you are not alone, and most importantly, the most Godly woman I have ever known. Her faith not only shined, it was the lighthouse that you know you run to, to find the way home.”
Although Massey did not get to participate in any breast cancer awareness events during her fight, her family and friends will be participating in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure on Oct. 20. Massey had planned to join her team, “Faith, Hope & Determination with Bunny’s Honeys,” in the race.
“We will still be doing the race under my mom’s team name,” Henderson said. “We actually started the team without telling her, then I called her to let her know we are running for her. We actually originally had the name ‘Bunny’s Honeys,’ but joined with another team, ‘Faith Hope & Determination,’ because it was for a breast cancer survivor who also worked with my mom and dad.”
Henderson said that she has submitted an application to become a volunteer with Susan G. Komen.
“I will continue to spread the word about breast cancer and fight for the cure,” she said. “My mom was the most amazing woman. She never quit living life. She lived each of her days to the fullest and was able to move on with no regrets. I believe her story will help other woman, with it being Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It will help others to open their eyes to the wonderful charities and research being done to find a cure and get others to help in the fight.”
