Posted on October 29, 2026
One year ago today, on October 29, 2025, 51-year-old Angela Gammage heard the words that would change her life forever: you have breast cancer.
Today, as she reflects on that difficult day, Angela is celebrating something she prayed for persistently. Her treatment is complete, and she is looking ahead with gratitude, faith and a renewed appreciation for life.
A native of Bay Springs, Angela spent 32 years working as a quality assurance technician at Peco Foods’ Production Plant. Life was moving along as usual until late August when she discovered a lump in her right breast about the size of a walnut.
Unsure of what to do next, Angela scheduled an appointment with South Central OB-GYN providers, B. Michael Weber, MD, and Stephanie Crosby, WHNP, FNP.
The discovery of this lump came as a surprise. Angela had always been diligent about her annual mammograms and had undergone her most recent screening just months earlier in January 2025. The results had been normal, making the lump all the more unexpected.
Ms. Crosby and Dr. Weber saw Angela promptly and recommended additional imaging. She was quickly scheduled for both a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound at South Central before being referred to Seth Ladd, DO, at South Central General Surgery. Dr. Ladd then referred Angela to South Central’s interventional radiology department, where Steven Quin, MD, performed her biopsy.
“I remember going back for my follow-up with Dr. Ladd two weeks later and saying, ‘I hope you have good news for me.’ Dr. Ladd looked me in the eyes and said, ‘I wish I did.’ With gentleness in his voice, he continued, ‘This is breast cancer, but it is 2025, and treatment has come a long way. There are all kinds of amazing treatments and medicines out there. I am going to set you up with a wonderful oncologist here at South Central.’ Dr. Ladd was very comforting, but I was scared. I decided then to give it to God,” Angela said.
After receiving her breast cancer diagnosis, Angela began seeing South Central Cancer Center oncology and hematology physician, Jacob Graham, MD, and Cameron Pimperl, MD, for multidisciplinary counseling. Together, they created a treatment plan for Angela.
“Dr. Graham was wonderful,” Angela said. “He told me what treatments were going to work the best. How long were they going to take and how the medicine was going to treat my body. He assured me I was in the best place to get the care I needed. And to be honest, I wasn’t sure if I was in the best place, so I did my research, and it showed me that the physicians here at home were making all the right suggestions. Looking back, I am so glad that I stayed here for care.”
Angela then began receiving treatment, which consisted of 16 rounds of chemotherapy spread across the next four months. Her chemotherapy treatment concluded in March 2026.
After treatment was complete, Angela underwent multiple surgeries to become cancer-free. As with any surgery, complications can occur, and this was the case for Angela. While recovering as an inpatient after her double mastectomy, her nurses and rounding physicians noticed that she was bleeding more than expected.
“One particularly difficult moment was when we found out that, because of the bleeding, they were going to have to perform another surgery. At this moment, my family and I really had to walk by faith and trust that this surgery would make things right. The staff took great care of me, comforted me, and fixed the problem quickly. I am grateful to have been at a place that cared for me so well.”
Once the surgeons were able to stop the bleeding, Angela was set on the path to recovery. She healed from surgery, and then saw Dr. Pimperl to receive radiation treatments. She officially completed her radiation protocol in late September 2026, almost a year after receiving her diagnosis.
“My goal now is to prevent recurrence and just live life. I am still seeing Dr. Graham for some follow-up treatments and taking a few chemotherapy pills. This journey made me so thankful and ready to live life to the fullest with my kids and my family,” Angela said.
Angela radiates joy, urging others to appreciate the life they have and to not take their health for granted. As she marks the anniversary of the day she was diagnosed, she recognizes Just how much healing the Lord has provided. She hopes her story encourages others to pay attention to their health, keep up with recommended screenings and seek medical care when something does not feel right.
For Angela, Breast Cancer Awareness Month is more than a reminder. It is a testament to the power of faith, early detection and the determination to keep moving forward, one day at a time.
Schedule a mammogram today by contacting your OB-GYN or primary care provider.