If you call a Spectrum Health hospital or doctor’s office, chances are you’ll hear the sweet, clear voice of Kathy Shoemaker informing you of office hours and telling you which number to press to make an appointment.
Shoemaker, 57, has served as the voice of Spectrum Health for years.
“My voice is out there in a lot of places,” she said. “That was my fun job.”
She also works as an administrative assistant for health care executives. She would have celebrated 30 years at Spectrum Health this winter, in fact, but her life began mapping a direction of its own some time ago.
Doctors diagnosed her with triple-negative breast cancer in 2017—her second such diagnosis in recent years.
She’d first been diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012. She’d had a mammogram a few months before an August 2012 appointment, but she sought another evaluation after noticing a change in one of her nipples.
She saw that same symptom detailed in a brochure she read in the waiting room at Betty Ford Breast Care Services at Spectrum Health Lemmen-Holton Cancer Pavilion, while her mother was having a mammogram.
After a double mastectomy in September 2012, followed by chemotherapy and radiation treatments, Shoemaker’s breast cancer went into remission.
“Life was good for five years,” she said.
Always an upside
In November 2017, she noticed an uncomfortable mass below her rib cage. Doctors quickly diagnosed her with triple-negative breast cancer.
“Cancer came back as a third ‘boob’ in my abdomen,” Shoemaker said.
Initial treatment shrank the tumors, but only for a time. The disease soon spread to her bones.
At this point, there is no cure. Only treatment to improve quality of life.
Shoemaker now undergoes chemotherapy treatment every three weeks to slow the cancer growth. She said she generally feels well, apart from the bothersome bowel obstructions that have sent her to the hospital several times.
She remains grateful for the little things each day brings and she strives to find the positive in every circumstance, no matter how gloomy something may seem at a glance.
The thing is, there is always an upside.
Even to chemotherapy.
“I’m feeling good,” she said. “I don’t have adverse side effects from chemotherapy. I don’t have nausea. I don’t have a chronic cough. I feel very blessed.”
Shoemaker considers herself an active partner in her health care.
Before surgery in January to remove a cancerous mass, she worked with a personal trainer to build strength in her arms and legs.
She depends on her Fitbit to monitor her steps and she carefully reviews her test results and doctor’s notes on her Spectrum Health MyChart account.
Shoemaker has her sights set on her 40th wedding anniversary in July. Even if she doesn’t make it, there’s no questioning that she has made the most of her time.
She walks regularly. She meets friends over breakfast and lunch. She has plane tickets for a late February getaway to Costa Rica.
After her January surgery, she had hoped to recover in a Northern Michigan ski lodge while her husband, Terry, her two daughters, their husbands and her three grandchildren hit the slopes. Instead, she stayed in Grand Rapids for a second, emergency surgery.
Recovery has been difficult.
“Each day is a gift,” Shoemaker said. “And relationships become more important.”
Life will even cede some unexpected blessings along the way.
Shoemaker, ever philosophical about life, is quick to recall the highlights—officiating a beachfront wedding in Hawaii ranks up there—and the regrets. (One notable regret: being too quiet about her faith.)
She said her cancer diagnosis has prompted her to live more intentionally.
One of her favorite quotes comes from evangelical pastor Chuck Swindoll: “Don’t seek more days in your life, but more life in your days.”
“Cancer hasn’t made me bitter, it’s made me bolder,” Shoemaker said. “When you are sick, people listen to you regardless of whether they believe what you are saying.
“I feel I have a soapbox—and I’m not afraid to share my faith in Jesus Christ.”
Kathy is my friend and no matter how often I see her I hear her voice often when I call Spectrum Health! This story totally exemplifies her outlook, her optimism, her heart and her strong faith! What a wonderful way to tell her story and highlight the great care of Spectrum Health!
Kathy is a true inspiration for all of us. Her Christian walk with the Lord is amazing. Let us all be bold like Kathy
I was blessed to work with Kathy at Spectrum’s Call Center. We shared our faith in Jesus Christ and she lives it out daily! Sending continual prayers and hugs to Kathy, a giant for Jesus!!
When I was diagnosed w breast cancer in 2015, I met Kathy through a mutual friend. She came with a care package with all kinds of encouraging and helpful gifts and tools. She answered all my questions and those I hadn’t yet thought of. She called me often during chemo treatment and sent a thoughtful card around the time of each treatment. She showed me how to be a strong sister/survivor in cancer and a tender loving sister/overcomer in Christ. God bless you and keep you, Kathy!
I also was so blessed to know what an inspiration she is. I miss seeing her and talking as she came through the office.
Keeping you in prayer!
Thank you for showing me an amazing person living with Breast Cancer. Her faith in Christ and positive outlook is a blessing to read about. Prayers from another survivor.
Praying for you,I am also a survivor God is good ,his blood has healed us.🙏
Blessing to you.
A beautiful strong woman you are Kathy, in the Lord. I too, have been battling breast cancer since 2003. It returned in 2008 as Stage IV back into my reconstructed breast and to my liver. I have been a living Miracle (as I was told) with God as my strength, and many prayers. My oncologist was given the knowledge and hands from God as they were able to get both tumors from my reconstructed breast(no longer there) and my liver. Cancer remission for 10 years and it just returned in April 2018 in my upper Mammillary lymph nodes on my chest wall. They radiated the 2 tumors and they are gone. Now the 4th time, I was just diagnosed in December 2018 with a tumor in my liver again. I had other issues, but will be starting chemo tomorrow Tuesday, 5 March 2019 with a new chemo that just came out. I and many are praying I can handle the strength of this chemo; but God is my strength and “All things are possible with God.” God bless you and yes, live your life in love, and the love of God.
Thank you for sharing your kind words, and your story. We’re all wishing you the absolute best, Nancy. Many blessings!
Having worked with Kathy on phone tree recordings amongst other things, I was devastated to hear of the battles she was enduring. When I was diagnosed with Cancer a wee bit ago, the knowledge that someone I had worked closely with could endure was a strange motivator to push me through it (not to mention our paediatric patients who go through this too).
Kathy, you have obviously been such an inspiration to so many around you, including me, and I cannot thank you enough for that. I will most certainly be keeping you and your family in my thoughts.
Much love!
Kathy and I are “co-grandmas” and I am so blessed to have her share that role with me. She is such a testament to the power of faith and strength thru God! Keep it up girl!
I’m so thankful for women like Kathy who is willing to share her story. I too had a 11/11/11 diagnosis of triple negative breast cancer. Went through chemotherapy and radiation. Sinse diagnosis has been an advocate and support person for Women especially of color. I do believe that God allow us to go through trials so we can be a support and comfort to others.