Posted: Tuesday, October 7, 2008 12:00 am
Woman who loves history honored for helping others face uncertain future
By THERESA HOGUE
Gazette-Times reporter
Wanda Frenzel lives like many 21st century women: She balances a busy work life with a dedication to her family, and she devotes whatever spare time she has to community service.
But her secret passion is spending a few weekends a year as a Civil War-era Southern woman. In period costume, she follows a camp of soldier re-enactors as she and other women help keep their camp and cook their meals using equipment and methods authentic to the mid-19th century.
But almost 10 years ago, Frenzel was faced with a crisis that made her very glad to live in the modern world: during a routine mammogram, doctors discovered a quarter-sized tumor in her breast.
She owes her health to modern examination techniques and equipment: "Nowadays, doctors are finding tumors the size of a piece of sand," Frenzel said.
Frenzel's cancer already had advanced far beyond that stage when it was detected, and swift intervention was essential. She opted to have a double mastectomy to prevent the cancer from spreading to her other breast. Following the surgery, she received chemotherapy and radiation treatment. She said support and a positive attitude helped her during treatment.
"To know that there was hope, and that I had a multitude of family and friends supporting me," was crucial, she said.
She did not have reconstructive surgery, and said it's taken a sense of humor to deal with the changes in her body, and the long recovery period.
"I always remind (other patients) to have a sense of humor," she said. "You won't get through this easily if you can't find the humor, whether you lose all your hair and have to wear a funny hat, or become as flat-chested as an 8-year-old boy."
Frenzel's older sister was diagnosed with breast cancer four years after Frenzel was, but her tumor was much smaller, and the treatment was less drastic.
"A lot of people are getting diagnosed a lot quicker and having easier treatment procedures," she said.
Once Frenzel's treatment was complete, she began to look for ways to support other women going through the same process. She helped lead an Albany breast cancer support group until interest waned, and then attended Lebanon and Corvallis support groups. About three years ago, she learned about a program through the Corvallis Clinic called Project H.E.R., which stands for "Health, Enlightenment and Resources." The organization pairs survivors with newly diagnosed breast cancer patients.
In May 2005, she attended a training session and since has helped 15 newly diagnosed patients with questions and concerns, aiding them in finding resources. Each patient has a slightly different diagnosis and treatment plan, and while some are seeking support and encouragement, others have simple questions, such as what life is like after a double mastectomy.
"It's a real comfort to help someone else," she said.
Last week, Frenzel was named the recipient of this year's Sue Merrill Spirit of Survivorship Award through the Corvallis Clinic for her long involvement in Project H.E.R., as well as for her time chairing the local Run for Life marathon and participating as a model in the first Puttin' On the Pink breast cancer fashion show fundraiser.
Her return to health has meant that Frenzel can continue revisting the past. She and her husband again are participating in the period Civil War re-enactments that have been their hobby for 17 years - and now involve her 8-year-old granddaughter.