In 2014, life changed dramatically for Shelly Barnes, who faced a breast cancer diagnosis just after witnessing a close friend lose her battle with the same disease. Her story is one of resilience and unwavering support that illustrates how crucial early detection is in the fight against breast cancer.
At the time, Shelly and her friend both worked at a local daycare facility that did not provide health insurance. “She found a lump in her breast but couldn’t afford to get it checked,” Shelly said. “By the time she sought medical help, it was too late.”
Her friend’s tragic circumstances prompted Shelly to act when she found a lump in her own breast. That’s when her daughter-in-law connected her with the Methodist Hospitals Breast Care Center.
The Breast Care Center team arranged for Shelly to get a free 3D mammogram thanks to a grant from the Chicago Bears’ Bears Care Foundation. Since 2013, this grant has enabled the Breast Care Center to provide free screening and diagnostic mammograms to uninsured or underinsured Northwest Indiana women.
Soon after she was diagnosed with breast cancer, Shelly underwent surgery as well as several rounds of chemotherapy and radiation. Those treatments took a toll, but Shelly’s resolve never wavered.
“I did everything they told me to do,” Shelly said. “The people at Methodist Hospitals were amazing. I could not have gotten better care from anywhere else.”
Throughout her journey, Shelly’s five children rallied around her, each assuming specific responsibilities to ensure she received the care she needed. Shelly moved in with one son during her treatment while another managed her finances, and her daughter took her to appointments. Another son serving in Afghanistan even sent money to help.
The emotional toll of cancer was immense. Shelly’s father passed away during her treatment, and his passing brought back painful memories of losing her husband at age 45 to leukemia, leaving her to raise their children alone.
“Every time I went into radiation, I just start crying,” Shelly said.
Now, more than 10 years cancer-free, Shelly’s experience with cancer profoundly changed her perspective on health and lifestyle. Influenced by a book about the link between diet and cancer survival, she adopted a strict diet of poultry, fish, and plant-based foods.
She has since married her childhood sweetheart, Keith, and together they enjoy a fulfilling life in Crown Point. Surviving breast cancer has also allowed her to witness the growth of her family, which now includes 18 grandchildren, another expected in November and a great-grandchild.
“If I didn’t survive this, I wouldn’t have gotten to see my daughter get married,” Shelly said. “I would have never met most of my grandkids. And I have some amazing grandkids.”
Shelly’s story is also a testament to the importance of early detection. Her experience with Methodist Hospital’s Breast Care Center has left a lasting impression, and she remains involved,
giving back by sharing her knowledge and support with others going through similar battles.
Shelly Barnes’s journey from diagnosis to survival is a powerful reminder that with determination, support, and the right care, overcoming even the most daunting challenges is possible.