Debbie Williams: Lung Cancer Awareness




Debbie Williams
Office Manager
Advantage Home Health Services and 
AdvantageCare Rehabilitation

Lung Cancer Awareness

It was first thought that I may have laryngeal cancer on December 8, 2014. It was positively confirmed one week later. During the treatment planning phase following my first PET scan, it was found that I also had lung cancer. For 14 months, I endured surgeries, invasive procedures, the implantation of a port, chemotherapy, and radiation treatment. Halfway through my radiation treatments, I needed a pep talk to convince me to continue because I felt that I could no longer continue. But I did decide to continue knowing that my son needed me and that life was just too precious. I am so glad that I did!

In addition to the support of my family, and the awesomeness of the medical doctors who took care of me, I would be amiss if I did not mention that my work family was there for me every step of the way. My wonderful bosses made sure I didn't worry about anything other than focusing on getting better. They held a raffle so that I didn't have to worry about bills, they assured my health insurance remained in effect, and they had no problem accommodating my leaving work for 38 straight days to receive my radiation treatments and the days I had to leave due to getting sick from the treatments. They provided more support than I could ever have imagined, and they made me appreciate the goodness in people more than I ever did.

Although I will always have follow up testing and doctor visits, I can say that so far, I am two years cancer-free! Now that the treatments are over and things have returned to "normal", I appreciate every day that my feet hit the floor in the morning. I am thankful that I am here to continue my life as God intended, and I am thankful that I am here to talk about it. I have gained a new respect for the people and things around me and appreciate those things I once took for granted. I remember telling my oncologist on the day that I was diagnosed that I would beat this thing, and I did! I am so very grateful that I was given a second chance and that I am still here for my son, and was here for my mom when she needed me the most. I am truly blessed!

Meet Debbie Williams
Debbie is the Office Manager for Advantage Home Health Services and AdvantageCare Rehabilitation and has worked for our company since 2008.

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