Enthusiastic, vivacious, spitfire, caring and having a passion for life are all ways people closest to Paula Provine of Greenwood describe her.
But it might surprise some that Provine, 48, spent the past year fighting for her life. Provine is a breast cancer survivor.
“The emotional part — I think that was the worst for me. When you get a cancer diagnosis, you think of death,” said Provine. “That’s the first thing you think about.”
Her diagnosis — during what was supposed to be a normal yearly checkup after a fun day of playing tennis in Jackson — turned into a life-altering event. She received the overwhelming news on Sept. 7, 2012.
“My doctor told me the cancer was treatable and curable. But I had to mark off the next year of my life because that was how long it would take to travel this journey,” said Provine. “And that’s what I did.”
Provine began chemotherapy treatment followed by a bilateral mastectomy. Her doctor discovered the cancer had gone into her lymph nodes system, taking her from a stage two diagnosis to a stage three.
“Cancer is a debilitating disease,” said Provine. “I thought it would be difficult losing my hair and my breasts. I thought it would be horrible. But it wasn’t, because I knew I would live, and that was what was important to me.”
Provine continued chemotherapy after the surgery.
“I don’t know what I would’ve done without my breast cancer survivors here in town that I met and that I could talk to,” said Provine. “Treatment, hope and prayer. Those three things helped me stay positive.”
Soon, Provine began taking radiation therapy at North Central Mississippi Regional Cancer Center located at Greenwood Leflore Hospital. That’s where she met radiation oncologist Dr. Roderick Givens. She expressed a growing desire she was having to help others also battling cancer.
Givens threw out an idea to her that he said he commonly tells his patients who talk about wanting to help others, “She took it and ran,” Givens said.
Givens talked to Provine about a local need that he sees often.
“There really isn’t a mechanism to help someone with immediate funds to go over to the drug store and buy a medication. They have to call an 800 number and fill out a form,” said Givens. “It’s going to be two or three weeks before something can be worked out to fill that need, if at all, depending on what it is. That doesn’t do this person a bit of good.”
It was two weeks ago that Provine found out she was in the clear, and the cancer was in remission. But before her clear reports, Provine began forming a foundation for her new passion.
“For me, it put things in perspective — life in perspective,” she said. “I promised God if He got me through it, I would help other people. I was lucky that I had my necessities covered. But cancer in general is expensive.”
With many organizations, such as the American Cancer Society, donations go toward research rather than staying in the community. The Caring and Sharing for Cancer Foundation will provide immediate financial assistance for Leflore County and Carroll County residents diagnosed with the disease.
It can “help provide, with some oversight, some of these needed things for patients that sort of fall through the cracks,” said Givens.
“What’s unique about this lady is she has this drive and this burning fire,” he said. “Over the years, I’ve had patients who have said, ‘Yeah, I want to do something,’ but it fizzles out.”
Some of the immediate needs Givens has noticed are money for medications, transportation or gas, medical items or devices that insurance doesn’t cover or nutritional supplements such as Ensure.
Caring and Sharing is in its early stages, and its first event will be a Christmas gala Dec. 7 at the Greenwood Country Club. All proceeds from ticket sales will go directly to the foundation.
“I’ve got big hopes for the foundation,” said Provine.
After Caring and Sharing is established, Provine plans to branch out and add wellness checkups, more local support groups and other opportunities to area residents who have a need. The organization focuses on all cancer patients, not just those with breast cancer.
Provine said she hopes to begin to disburse funds to those in need early next year.
Another fundraiser for Caring and Sharing for Cancer will be the sale of Christmas trees and wreaths. The items will be available a the country club throughout November and December.
Although Givens says it takes five years of clear test results to indicate a patient is cured of the disease, Provine does not let the four-year road ahead get her down.
She is enjoying playing tennis again and spending time with her husband, Bob, and dog, Sparky, at their home on the banks of the Tallahatchie River.
“You have to stay positive. That’s the biggest part of it,” said Provine. “My family, friends and my church helped me through this.”
Tickets for the Christmas Gala are $100 and available at Smith & Co., CB&S Bank and the Episcopal Church of the Nativity.
For more information about Caring and Sharing for Cancer, call 453-9417.
• Contact Ruthie Robison at 581-7233 or rrobison@gwcommonwealth.com.
