Betty Hord
|
|
|
You may have seen her sporting her husband at the super market or chasing down and doting upon her two grandsons.
You may have heard a mildly frazzled, "Oh, golly," escape her tongue.
Just looking at her, you would see the kindness in her eyes, but her story would not cross your mind. Just seeing her, you may not know how much of a hero she truly is.
Betty Hord is a mother, a wife, a grandmother, a president, a board member, a cook, a teacher, an active church member, an inspiration, a breast cancer survivor, and this year's Middle Tennessee Medical Center's Power of Pink honoree.
Hord's journey to becoming a survivor started in 2011 when she went to Middle Tennessee Medical Center to have her annual mammogram.
To her shock, a small mass was detected.
She was asked to have a routine, more in-depth mammogram, an ultrasound and a needle biopsy.
Because her primary care physician was out of the country, Dr. Marynelle Klumpe had to deliver the unsettling news.
The tumor was cancerous, but it was small and seemed to be encapsulated.
In her initial shock, her first reaction was to have a double mastectomy.
A little extreme for such a small mass, but it was not large enough to satisfy the fright of it spreading.
She had just walked out the door when Klumpe invited her back into the building. She was afraid that the doctor had forgotten to tell her something else, but, to her wonderful amazement, the doctor asked to pray with her.
"I didn't cry when I was first told that I had cancer, but I cried when I heard her prayer," Hord said. "It was the most beautiful prayer I had ever heard. I think she was an angel that day, sent from God to comfort me."
After talking to a surgeon, her doctors, her Nurse Navigator and various others, she decided not to have the mastectomy.
Surgeon Wayne Westmoreland removed the mass and preformed a lumpectomy, though there had been no sign that the cancer had spread to the lymph nodes. Dr. John H. Barton Jr., her oncologist, sent off part of the tumor for an Oncotype DX test to determine the chances of a reoccurrence.
If her score came back as more than 4 or a 5, she would have to have chemotherapy. If at either of those numbers, they would have to assess the options.
But her score was a 1.1 chance of reoccurrence, which was a huge relief, and chemo was not required. Though as a precaution, Hord received radiation from radiologist Dr. Charles Wendt.
She did get burned, but she has made a full recovery. Also, since her tumor was hormone induced, she has been taking pills to shut down her hormones to keep her chances of growing another tumor low.
Hord could not say enough about her experience at MTMC.
She constantly brags on all of her doctors, nurses, radiologists, surgeons, assistants, Nurse Navigator and everyone who helped her through.
They were so compassionate and patient with her constant questions. She said she could not possibly be more gracious, and Murfreesboro could not be more blessed to have such a wonderful hospital right in its backyard.
"The doctors were just awesome! And I owe them a great deal of thanks," Hord said.
She still visits her doctors for check-ups, and she still gets her mammograms every year.
Today, she is cancer-free.
And if you asked her, she would give all of the credit to MTMC.
One of her favorite things that her grandson, Gabriel, 7, has ever said is: "Grandma, it makes my heart smile."
Even though she is a retired teacher, she has enough to keep her busy.
Between spending time with her family and reading books like the Hunger Games and the Lord of the Rings trilogy, she is also and eight-year board member and the current president of the Oakland's Association.
She says she's a "Jack of all trades." She's cooked, organized, fund-raised, taken up tickets and gone to board meetings. She takes care of the educational programs, entertainment and whatever else there is that needs to be done.
She expressed her love for Oakland's Mansion and its importance to the community.
"Oaklands is a jewel and an asset to the community," she said. "It's important that we preserve our history and learn from it."
When asked what her biggest inspiration was, her answer was simply, "My faith."
Hord is a very active member of the First Methodist Church.
As if she wasn't occupied or giving enough, she is part of the church's Feed my Sheep ministry, which is a group of women who, every week, take turns making soup for a member of the community. They cook for people or families who are going through a rough time, have been hospitalized or who just deserve a nice cup of soup. It's a new program at the church, only about two years old, but it's really starting to catch on.
She is also a past president and served as executive board member of the Charity Circle, a Murfreesboro-based charity of which helps get food and clothing to the less fortunate.
"I have a sign in my kitchen window that says 'It is in the giving that we receive' said by Saint Francis of Assisi. In giving to others, it blesses me more," she said with sincerity.
Because of her early detection, MTMC's Power of Pink breast cancer organization is honoring her in this year's Wine Around the Square event.
"I feel humbled," she said. "There have been women who have had it more difficult than me; I am blessed, but I really am just humbled."
A native of Shelbyville, Tenn., Hord and her husband, Tommy, have been married for 39 years now. The duo has one daughter named Elizabeth and two grandsons, Elijah, 9, and Gabriel. Elijah is a student at Cason Lane. Gabriel is a student at Scales.
Gabriel was born with a developmental delay called tuberous sclerosis.
All Hord could say was they both are such wonderful children. Betty loves them both an incredible amount, and they're always keeping her busy.
She, of course, doesn't mind. She loves when they spend the night once or even twice a week.
"I have a family that loves and supports me. And I really could not be any more blessed. If you have a wonderful family, you are blessed," Hord said.
More info ...
For the first time in the Power of Pink's seven year history, Wine Around the Square is open to the public. It will be a casual, inviting outdoor event for people to taste wine and paired snacks, hear live music and see regional art.
Wine tasting booths will be set up in various venues, attorney's offices and boutiques in downtown Murfreesboro and the Murfreesboro Square.
There will be an art show in the Pinnacle lobby chaired by local artist and fellow cancer survivor Caryl Witt. Part of the sales will go to the Power of Pink's Portable Mammogram, a vehicle that travels from county to county to give women who may be uninsured, underinsured or indigent their recommended annual mammograms.
The rest of the funds will go towards research and treatment.
Hord said it is rumored that there may be pink lights set up around the Square, which she is very excited about.
The event will begin at 6 p.m. Sept. 21 at Pinnacle Financial Partners where guests will receive an etched Wine Around the Square glass. They will enjoy the first wine tasting and be given instructions for the rest of the night.
Tickets are available online at www.mtmc.org/powerofpink. Online, tickets are $75 per ticket. They are $85 a piece at the front door. It will go on, rain or shine.
To make sure everyone gets home safely, event organizers will alert local cab companies at a central location for guests who would rather take a cab home at the end of the event. |
Email
Print
Digg
Facebook
StumbleUpon
Google
Yahoo!