Tackling a 5.5-mile mountain hike at 80 stands out. Taking on the mountain during breast cancer treatment is next level.

Ruth Burkett of Starkville made her fifth trip up Mount LeConte in East Tennessee while undergoing breast cancer treatment at North Mississippi Health Services Cancer Care in Starkville. She had the blessing of her oncology team to take on the challenge during the LeConte Lodge’s 100th anniversary in June 2024.

“I never felt bad,” during treatment, Ruth said. “I was tired and took extra naps, but I never missed a beat on anything I wanted to do.”

For the hike, she was supported by three of her five children and four of her six grandchildren. She did have two slips, but her family helped her when the going got challenging.

“We made it happen,” Ruth said. 

This spring, Ruth, now 81, completed her 12-month journey through chemotherapy and radiation treatment at NMHS Cancer Care in Starkville. 

“I give all the glory to God,” Ruth said. “He carried me through the whole thing and gave me a wonderful medical team.” 

Diagnosed through screening

For decades, Ruth was diligent with her breast cancer screening, going every year like clockwork. The January 2024 winter storm forced her to reschedule the mammogram for February. That storm turned out to be a bad omen or a lucky break, depending on your point of view. 

“It was the ice storm’s fault” Ruth said wryly. “Then again, they might not have found it in January and then who knows what would have happened.”

The initial diagnosis of Stage 1 breast cancer was a shock to her system, Ruth said. 

“It is such a frightening thing to start with, but you find hope and see the light at the end of the tunnel, Ruth said.

She had surgery in Jackson so she could recover close to two of her children. When testing showed her tumor receptors tested positive for estrogen, progesterone and HER-2, her medical team recommended both chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Ruth didn’t want to be away from home and her dog, Fern, for months nor endure long drives for treatment.

Her Jackson doctor reassured her that Cancer Care in Starkville would take great care of her and provide all of the recommended treatments in Starkville.

“It made a huge difference,” Ruth said.

She met with oncologist Dr. Jiahuai Tan at NMMC Hematology Oncology in Starkville. He recommended the same course of treatment that the Jackson team suggested.

“It was like having a second opinion,” Ruth said. “I’ve had acquaintances that went to big cancer centers. I got care just as good as they did, and I didn’t have to travel.”

Ruth completed 12 weeks of chemotherapy, 20 radiation treatments and a year of targeted treatment with Herceptin. Her NMHS Cancer Care team provided expert care and were emotionally supportive, Ruth said. She and one of her nurses, Michelle Dulaney, swapped book recommendations. 

“They were beyond wonderful,” Ruth said. “They became family. I can meet them anywhere and they can call me by name. I didn’t feel like a number on a page.”

In addition to her family, Ruth leaned on the Friendship Sunday school class at First Baptist Church in Starkville.

“They became my sisters,” Ruth said. 

Positive outlook

From the beginning of her cancer journey, Ruth built a positive outlook on a foundation of faith. When she lost her hair during chemo, she just shrugged it off, knowing it would eventually grow back. 

“I would tell anybody, it’s all about attitude and outlook,” Ruth said. 

Her joy is walking outside, and she kept on going through treatment. During the preparation for her Mt. LeConte hike, Ruth aimed to walk four to six miles a day. Now it’s usually a mile a day.

“My grandmother lived to be 106,” Ruth said. “All my doctors told me to keep a positive outlook and keep active, and it won’t be the breast cancer that gets you.”