BECOMING ANNA
Knowing full well that many people can become somewhat numb to the cancer conversation, we decided to bring Anna Moore’s special story to light, as she offers a lesson for us all. Leaning into her incredible tribe of women and quotes such as C.S. Lewis’s “Life with God is not immunity from difficulties, but peace within difficulties.” Even the sign near the pre-op elevator stated, “The task ahead of you is never greater than the strength within you.” This mother of two young girls found her silver linings and isn’t looking back.
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Putting it all out there, Anna boils down her journey with breast cancer, sharing, “Cancer gave me perspective. It made me a more open person. Open to sharing my cancer story. Open to saying ‘yes’ and trying new things like doing this article. Open to new friendships and cherishing people more and worrying less about the court of public opinion. It’s hard to put into words, but I like who I am better on this side of the journey. I’m a less guarded person now, which I think makes me feel more real.”
Raised mainly in Montgomery (with a pit stop in New York City), Anna moved to Mobile in 2007 with her husband, Bill. Today, Anna is about to ring the one-year-cancer-clear bell and at just 44 years old, this wife and mother of two young girls, Sarah and Harriet, is brimming with gratitude and not afraid to talk about it.
Meeting her, you’d never know she’s been through an arduous time because she appears to be the picture of health. Fit and energetic with a big, beautiful smile, she’s that woman you might envy when standing behind her in line at the grocery store. As the Director of Admissions at St. Paul’s Episcopal School, you may have seen her bouncing around the campus. “My husband went to St. Paul’s and our girls started there in Pre-K. I guess you could say we bleed red, white, and blue, St. Paul’s colors, and this is my 16th year with the school. I love meeting new families, giving them tours, helping them navigate the admissions process, and sharing with them all the great things our Saints learn and experience. I’ve met some wonderful families and I love working where my girls go to school,” she tells us, beaming.
Anyone who has experienced cancer or cared for a loved one during treatment knows life’s hardships don’t stop, and that was true for Anna. “Within a two-year span, my brother died unexpectedly at 40, I was diagnosed with breast cancer and had a bilateral mastectomy, my dad got very sick and passed away, and then I helped my mom pack up her home of 40 years and move to Mobile. It was a lot,” she shares.
Due to her young age, we ask about her diagnosis and Anna explains, “In 2018, my high school friends and I took a trip to celebrate our 40th birthdays. My best friend, Kristen, said we all had to get mammograms before the trip. It took Kristen insisting we all get them to make me finally call the doctor’s office. The month before the trip, I had my first mammogram. Based on my family history, I was a candidate for the High-Risk Breast Program at Infirmary Surgical Specialists and didn’t hesitate when asked to be a part of the program. I had a screening every six months followed by an appointment with Tammy Pugh, CRNP, to discuss the results. In 2019, my mammogram detected something suspicious, which led to a biopsy. Fortunately, it was only calcifications.”
Being proactive in the program, Anna felt positive and life went on. However, in 2021, she received a call following a routine mammogram informing her that she needed a follow-up on her right breast. “I remember thinking to myself, ‘I bet it will just be calcifications again.’ But before the biopsy procedure, the radiologist asked if he could pray for me. I knew then something was different this time but I thought it would be ok. I was sent home with a sheet of paper that detailed all the possible outcomes. The day before my brother’s birthday—the first one since he passed away—I received my life-altering diagnosis when Tammy called. I got that piece of paper and circled Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS),” Anna recalls.
Soon after, Anna had a bilateral mastectomy followed by breast reconstruction surgery. “I made the decision to have a bilateral mastectomy even though I only needed to remove one breast. My mantra was ‘No regrets.’ I was throwing everything at this the first time as I didn’t want to look back and wish I had done something different. Of course I wondered if I was being too aggressive but the pathology report from my surgery revealed some of the cancer had become invasive, making my cancer Stage 1, which confirmed to me I made the right decision,” Anna tells us.
While Anna’s story is far too common, she has a unique aspect that’s not only relatable, it’s touching in a small-town way. “I remember getting ‘the call’ from Tammy. It was a Friday afternoon and Dr. Caroline McGugin followed up that same day. Caroline is not only my neighbor, she’s a friend and a breast surgeon at Infirmary Surgical Specialists. Caroline told me I wasn’t going to die. In fact, she comforted me so much I didn’t feel the need to use the emergency satellite phone to try to reach my husband as he was fishing off-shore and didn’t have cell service. Plus, I needed time to process the news. I swiftly learned that once you get the diagnosis there’s no manual to tell you exactly what to do next, which was the hardest part. I wasn’t scared, but I knew time was of the essence and I wanted a plan. So from there, I texted my other neighbor girlfriend, Dr. Jennifer Scalici, who is a Gynecologic Oncologist, and more, at Mitchell Cancer Institute (MCI) and asked if she was home. I remember her replying, ‘Yep! What’s up?’ I told her and she said come on over. She let me cry, she made me laugh, and she gave me advice on the steps I should take.” Adding another confidant and Midtowner, Dr. Jennifer Pierce, also a Gynecologic Oncologist from MCI, to the call list, Anna had access to an incredible group of women within a stone’s throw. Talk about a tribe!
Comforted, Anna and Bill went to see Caroline. “She did a thorough job of explaining my diagnosis and recommended doing the surgery within three months. Coincidently, she was having a baby the following week and would be home on maternity leave for the next three months. Talk about timing! She suggested I see a doctor she trained with at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). Truthfully, I walked away feeling informed but overwhelmed and I even remember being a little disheartened that Caroline wouldn’t be available to perform my surgery. But as a working mom too, I understood. As I drove back to work, a song came on the radio that basically said when one door closes, another opens, and that’s when I decided I was going to UAB. I felt such a sense of peace,” Anna explains.
Within a few weeks Anna had appointments scheduled. “At UAB, you’re assigned a team with a breast surgeon, a radiologist, an oncologist and a plastic surgeon. They review your case and meet with you to discuss their recommendations, but the day before I was to go to Birmingham, three out four of us in my family tested positive for COVID. Talk about a curveball! UAB rescheduled my appointments via Zoom and conference calls. I remember smiling on my final call because a plan was falling into place. I didn’t actually meet my doctors in person until the day before my surgery—we were definitely doing this by faith!” Anna shares.
Relieved, it was time for Anna and Bill to tell their daughters about the diagnosis. “Bill did a really good job starting these hard conversations, and while we didn’t sugarcoat it, we also didn’t give them more information than we thought they needed at their age. That night, when I tucked in my oldest daughter, I saw the look of worry in her face and I remember looking her in the eyes and telling her, ‘I will not die from this.’ Telling my parents was even harder due to my brother’s recent passing. Here I was, their only living child, calling to tell them I had cancer. I really tried to downplay it because I didn’t want to worry them. I admit to not doing a good job telling friends and co-workers. Not because I was trying to keep it private, but because I didn’t want to drop the cancer bomb on them. If it came up naturally, I shared my story, but otherwise I had a hard time telling people,” Anna confides.
““CANCER GAVE ME PERSPECTIVE. IT MADE ME A MORE OPEN PERSON. OPEN TO SHARING MY CANCER STORY. OPEN TO SAYING ‘YES’ AND TRYING NEW THINGS.””
Curious about the impact on her children, we ask Ann. She says, “My youngest daughter, Harriet, just reminded me that I had my surgery two days after her eighth birthday. It was a lot to juggle between trying to celebrate her and preparing to be out of the office and also for life post-surgery. For example, I had restrictions after surgery on how much I could lift and the range of motion of my arms, so I went around the house before surgery putting stools in places, lowering coffee cups from the cabinets to the counter, buying shirts that zipped or buttoned up the front, etcetera. My daughters and I got matching blankets to feel connected while I was in Birmingham. I was really touched by the support we received. Friends made sure my daughters got to their extracurriculars, brought meals, and sent flowers.”
Naturally, Anna worried about her daughters’ risk for breast cancer, too. “In a follow-up appointment, I asked my oncologist when I needed to start my daughters’ screenings. My mom and I both had breast cancer—I know the importance of early detection and I wanted to be as proactive as possible. Because I opted to have genetic testing done through the breast program, I know I don’t carry the genes for breast cancer, so my girls can begin screenings in their early twenties,” Anna assures us.
As for the rough road, Anna explains, “The drains and tissue expanders were the worst part. There were definitely days I wanted to rip out the expanders because they hurt so much, but after a few weeks the pain subsided. Fortunately, I didn’t need radiation or chemotherapy. I take Tamoxifen every day and will take it for 5–10 years. Amazed by her matter of fact approach, we ask Anna to share her inspiration. “God and my husband are the short answer. My faith has been strengthened throughout all of these trials. I learned to surrender control—to let go and let God. My husband is my rock. There’s no way I could have survived the past two years without him.”
Paying it forward is fundamental, as well. “In March, a mom at our school asked if we could meet for coffee because she had just been diagnosed with breast cancer. Being able to answer questions and share my story, advice for life post-surgery (like how to wash your hair with your arm restrictions and how to deal with the discomfort of the expanders), and provide encouragement really helped give purpose to what I’ve been through. And when I ‘voluntold’ Bill to be a part of American Cancer Society’s local Real Men Wear Pink campaign, he happily obliged because breast cancer has touched us so personally and we want to use our experience to help others and raise awareness,” Anna warmly concludes. With so much loss, Anna’s positive outlook is beyond admirable. But for us, the best part is Anna crediting her difficult journey for who she is today—100% real and happy to stand in front of a camera and tell her story.
