*This is the third in a series of articles on breast cancer in recognition of October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Lauren Baker is currently taking chemotherapy treatments.
As the daughter of a breast cancer survivor, Lauren Frier Baker is well aware of the need for self-exams and regular mammograms. She began having them at age 30.
In August 2024 Baker’s annual mammogram was all clear. In the spring, though, through a self exam, she discovered a lump.
Baker is a long-time educator. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from William Carey College and has served in various roles. But she decided to take off the 2023-2024 school year.
Several trips were planned this past summer: a family vacation to Disney World and two trips with her oldest son, Jackson, first a mission trip to Belize and then a mother/son trip to Chicago to see his favorite baseball team, the Cubs.
On the trip to Disney, Baker noticed an abnormal, uncomfortable feeling in her chest when on the rides. Upon returning from the Belize trip, she tried to get in to see her doctor but then reached out to her physician’s nurse. Baker was seen the following Monday when she had a mammogram and ultrasound.
Baker is straight forward about breast cancer. “When they were doing that mammogram…things that I didn’t know were symptoms and things to look for with breast cancer. Dimpling of the skin, redness in areas, inverted nipple, discharge – these are things that I had that I didn’t even know that I had. It was so severe that while they were doing the mammogram and mashing, the discharge is coming out and the tech asked, ‘How long has your nipple been inverted?’ I said, ‘Well, I didn’t really realize it.’ Next thing I know she rips my gown to look at the other side and said, ‘Do you see the difference?’ I said, ‘I do.’ I knew then really what the results were.”
“I just wanted that one more week,” Baker said of the Chicago trip.
A strong, godly woman, Baker credits the Lord 100 percent with each step of this journey, beginning with a new job as librarian and testing coordinator at Poplarville High School. Everything fell into place after getting a text from the high school principal, who is also a pastor at her church. “It was really God just paving the way for what I was about to walk through. I was hired July 24 and I was diagnosed July 31 with breast cancer. It’s just God truly making sure I’m not sitting at home being depressed. It’s a blessing.”
The biopsy was performed upon her return from Chicago, confirming her suspicions: invasive ductal carcinoma; estrogen and progesterone positive; and, Her2 negative. Baker bluntly asked her surgeon if this could kill her. He responded with a story of a previous patient who got the same diagnosis. She wanted a second opinion but returned two years later when it was too late.
Baker also asked her oncologist, Dr. David Morris with Hattiesburg Cancer Center, the stage of her cancer. His said there is no actual answer to that question. Instead he showed her a table that defines the tumor. Hers was a T3, meaning it is over five centimeters or about two inches. Initially the plan had been a double mastectomy followed by chemotherapy. Because of the size of the tumor the plan was reversed as surgery might have gone into the chest muscle.
A pet scan detected spots in her hips.
“They could not biopsy it due to where it is. They would have to break my hips because it’s in the bone marrow. We are chemo-ing on a prayer that whatever that is, is gone when we finish all of this,” she said.
Baker has completed four of the eight chemotherapy treatments prescribed, known as the Red Devil, but she prefers to call it the Blood of Jesus. Baker begins Taxol this week. Her final treatment is Thanksgiving week and she is already offering thanks.
She began losing her hair after the first treatment, and after the second her best friend shaved her head. Baker has had nausea but found a rhythm and cycle to meet it head on. “The hardest part about chemo is I go into like a hibernation for three days and just sleep. I do that because you’re so nauseous and so out of it.”
She missed Jackson’s 17th birthday and Jason’s birthday too. Baker received advice about the missed opportunities from a good friend: “You’re going to miss some things but you’re doing it so you don’t miss all of the things. Make yourself a list so when you get done you celebrate full out all the things you want to do.”
Two weeks after chemo is complete Baker will have a double mastectomy. There was never any question in her mind when she was diagnosed that she would have both breasts removed. Reconstruction will take place at the same time as removal. She may have radiation as a preventative measure.
Baker credits her family, her church family and her school family for helping her get through this time. She says that their support has shown her the goodness of God first hand.
“While this is very hard for me, I know I don’t have it as hard as others. I just pray that people can rely on their faith with Christ. You have to dig deep for sure. Lean on your family and friends to take care of you.”
Baker does say her experience has been an education.
“Learning things is interesting. Being the guinea pig is not as fun. You have to have a positive outlook. What can you actually do about it? You just have to stay hopeful and pray, and keep going. I really hope I am able to touch somebody, help somebody. The biggest thing is to be an advocate for yourself; to not ignore your body. Listen to your body and your gut. Take that time to make the appointment and not put that off.”
