Cancer Survivor Story - Alfredia Turner
Working in healthcare for over 20 years, Alfredia Turner knew how important it was to take care of herself, and that included monthly breast self-exams – on the 25th of each month to be exact. What she didn’t know was how quickly breast cancer could grow, leading her to a “not me” moment when she got the diagnosis. She remembers a flurry of thoughts when her doctor told her the news – “I did what I was supposed to” – and a feeling like all the air had been sucked out of the room. But then, the hope came.
Alfredia did indeed do all the “right” things. She had had a mammogram less than a year before and checked herself regularly for lumps or any other areas of concern. But in April 2019, she felt a knot that wasn’t there in March. It was stage 4 triple negative breast cancer, one of the most aggressive forms of the disease.
The ball was rolling immediately with doctors’ appointments and treatment plans, and after chemotherapy, she was cancer free in September. Through genetic testing, doctors discovered Alfredia has Lynch syndrome, a condition that can increase the risk of cancer. She opted to have a double mastectomy with reconstruction to reduce her future risk of recurrence.
During her journey with breast cancer, Alfredia relied heavily on her faith and family. She says she had trust in God and knew she was going to come out on the other side. There through the good, the bad and ugly, she credits her husband of 28 years, Jeffrey, with being the right kind of support she needed. And her son Blake and other family and friends for being her biggest cheerleaders. Last but not least Alfredia is grateful to her medical team, including Dr. Lauren Juneja, Dr. Everett Bonner, Dr. Jeffery Littleton and Dr. Taylor Theunissen.
She also credits her faith with allowing her to handle her experience gracefully and believes she went through it to be able to help others down the line. Over the past six years, she’s encountered many women and helped them by sharing her story.
Going through such a life-changing experience, and continuing in her survivorship, Alfredia holds a new perspective. Make good memories, she likes to tell people, and don’t waste the time you have with the people who are important to you. Another mantra is that self-care is good, not selfish. She says she sees so many people – especially women who are working, dealing with kids, acting as caregivers to elderly parents – who don’t take the time for themselves.
These days you’ll find Alfredia working with the women’s and couple’s ministry at the church she and her husband started in 2023, The Grace House Church. In May she graduated with a Masters and Doctor of Ministry in Spiritual Development from the Don Bradford Bible College. Outside of that, she works as a patient navigator for Baton Rouge General Physicians. You may even find her playing pickleball, a newer hobby she’s picked up as she tries to stay active.