Susan Patton
I am 46 years old, single and a Payroll Administrator. I love Ballroom
Dancing, Music, Painting, Dog Rescue, Spending Time with Family and Friends.
On September 27, 2018, I received a phone call that changed my life, a
phone call I never expected. I had breast cancer. Specifically, had Stage
II Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. I was in shock. I had no family history
of breast cancer, I was 45, very active and healthy, but I had foolishly
dismissed a lump I had found and it could have cost me my life. I had
thought scheduling appointments and getting testing would be a waste of
time and money. I had “been here, done that” and had negative
biopsy results in the past. My mother and sister had been through it several
times as well, and the results were always negative. Now, because I had
waited, I had lost my chance of potentially only having minimally invasive
treatments, and was facing a much more challenging battle.
Shortly thereafter, I met with Dr. Taft at The Margaret Niedland Breast
Center, and she mapped out the treatment plan for me. Dr. Taft and her
staff really helped put my mind at ease. Knowing I had such a great team
of medical professionals in my corner, helping me make the best treatment
decisions for success, allowed me to focus on staying positive and put
my energy into fighting. Even though I had received what first felt like
a devastating diagnosis, I had incredible sense of peace and a determined
mindset - losing was not an option.
On October 17, 2018, I started my first round of chemotherapy. From there
I would end up having a total of 20 rounds of chemo, 25 rounds of radiation,
a bilateral mastectomy, reconstruction, and several smaller surgeries
due to complications from reconstruction.
I am extremely blessed to have an incredible support system in close family
and loved ones that helped me get me through breast cancer treatment,
my mother, sister, and significant other especially. I am also very fortunate
to have a large support group, my very own cheering section if you will,
that I call my dance family. Ballroom and Latin dancing has been a passion
of mine for 8 years now and while it has helped reduce the stresses of
daily life in the past, it was a huge factor in helping me get through
my fight against breast cancer. Having cancer can be all consuming. Many
of your days are filled with appointments, tests, and treatments. It’s
hard to escape the daily reminders that you have cancer. Dancing allowed
me a mental break from all of that. Each time I was at a dance lesson
or on the dance floor socially, I was focused on the beat, my footwork,
and following my partner. Dancing gave me the gift of sometimes even forgetting
I had cancer at all. Dancing was also extremely helpful physically, as
it motivated me to keep my strength up and keep moving. Cancer treatment
can be very taxing, but put I could always find the energy for a Salsa
or a Rumba. Through all of it I think dance helped me the most emotionally,
keeping my spirit up and always giving me something to look forward to.
My dance family’s, love, support and encouragement to continue dancing
and performing throughout my fight consistently made me feel empowered
and “Sue Strong” as they called it, and truly made a huge
impact on my breast cancer journey.
Fighting cancer was an immensely challenging and difficult, but with the
help of my doctors, nurses, family, friends, and dance, I made it, and
I am thrilled to say I am cancer free. I continue to take treatments to
prevent recurrence and I am appreciating and relishing every moment of
life. This cancer survivor will surely never miss a chance to dance.
Theme of my chair
I am extremely blessed to have an incredible support system in close family
and loved ones that helped me get me through breast cancer treatment,
my mother, sister, and significant other especially. I am also very fortunate
to have a large support group, my very own cheering section if you will,
that I call my dance family. Ballroom and Latin dancing has been a passion
of mine for 8 years now and while it has helped reduce the stresses of
daily life in the past, it was a huge factor in helping me get through
my fight against breast cancer. Having cancer can be all consuming. Many
of your days are filled with appointments, tests, and treatments. It’s
hard to escape the daily reminders that you have cancer. Dancing allowed
me a mental break from all of that. Each time I was at a dance lesson
or on the dance floor socially, I was focused on the beat, my footwork,
and following my partner. Dancing gave me the gift of sometimes even forgetting
I had cancer at all. Dancing was also extremely helpful physically, as
it motivated me to keep my strength up and keep moving. Cancer treatment
can be very taxing, but put I could always find the energy for a Salsa
or a Rumba. Through all of it I think dance helped me the most emotionally,
keeping my spirit up and always giving me something to look forward to.
My dance family’s, love, support and encouragement to continue dancing
and performing throughout my fight consistently made me feel empowered
and “Sue Strong” as they called it, and truly made a huge
impact on my breast cancer journey.
Fighting cancer was an immensely challenging and difficult, but with the
help of my doctors, nurses, family, friends, and dance, I made it, and
I am thrilled to say I am cancer free. I continue to take treatments to
prevent recurrence and I am appreciating and relishing every moment of
life. This cancer survivor will surely never miss a chance to dance.
Chair Location
Pandora at The Gardens Mall
3101 PGA Boulevard
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410