Her life was in pieces, and Patty Dent knew it.
Losing ground on her deteriorating health, she also was losing her usual optimism.
“Then I picked up the pieces,” she said. “And today, I’m pretty strong because of it.
“In life, you just never know.”
Dent, a teacher and bookkeeper from Pacific, persevered and with the help of family and friends found her way. It was a difficult road – but one worth talking about.
A recovered alcoholic for 11 years and a former smoker, Dent, 53, is a cancer survivor still in the throes of treatment. No longer careless about her choices, she is up front and honest about herself and the productive, active lifestyle she leads.
Dent is a caring wife, a doting grandmother and a compassionate worker in her community. She especially enjoys teaching young kids and extending a helpful hand to others by volunteering at her church.
She enjoys camping, fishing, and wants very much to revisit snow skiing. Yard work is her therapeutic release.
But nothing prepared Dent for the bumpy, life-changing ride she has endured over the past 11 months.
In for a regular mammogram, she was dealt a blow when a fourth biopsy revealed breast cancer.
“I was surprised but not really shocked,” said Dent, who is the first in her family to have the disease. “I had no pain or lumps, but I just kind of sensed there was a change coming about.
“I didn’t expect it but, at the same time, I was real calm.”
Last New Year’s eve, doctors surgically removed the cancer, but the remnants were lodged in her lymph nodes, necessitating chemotherapy and radiation.
Dent is following a 52-week, preventive treatment. Her weekly one-hour visits to the clinic require an intravenous dose of medicine.
“Radiation was the hardest, because I didn’t have the energy to do things,” Dent said. “I am trying to make the best out of each day. I don’t even like taking naps because I don’t want to miss anything.”
Dent has held up through it all. She maintained her weight and, for the most part, kept her hair.
A spiritual woman, Dent claims she was never in denial and did not allow depression to set in.
Because of the ordeal, however, Dent left the job she had held for three years as a teaching assistant in the Head Start program with the Auburn School District.
By putting her career on hold, she kept herself and her family going. Certain chores had to be done. “My husband (James) has been patient and kind,” Dent said. “And my daughter (Theresa) has been a rock in my family. She moved back from Texas to be with me. She has done so much for me.”
Dent spends her days keeping the books for her husband’s business. She also has helped her daughter paint her newly acquired house nearby.
Dent, who recently obtained her associate degree in child development, wants to get back into the classroom some day.
“I’ve never been limited,” she said. “I do take care of myself. I have a strong faith and I have peace.
“I’m doing pretty good, I think.”
Show of pink
Because October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Dent reflects on her journey back to good health and reminds others to get frequent checkups. She encourages women younger than 40 to go in for regular mammograms.
Dent will be one of 16 cancer survivors at this month’s Breast Cancer Survivor Fashion Show at the Downtown Seattle Macy’s. She will join others in sharing their experiences, then take to the catwalk to model the season’s latest looks.
“It was hard to write about myself, so my daughter did my essay (to qualify for the show),” Dent said. “I went back and forth with the idea, but they’re all excited about it. I can’t back down now.”
Dent never backs down from anything, especially with cancer staring her in the face.
“But I know now it’s going to be OK,” she said. “I’m doing great.”
Mark Klaas can be
reached at 253-833-0218, ext. 5050, or mklaas@reporternewspapers.com.
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On stage
• What: Breast Cancer Survivor Fashion Show. Sixteen breast cancer survivors, including Pacific’s Patty Dent, will share their stories and model the season’s latest looks at a morning event of inspiration and hope. A portion of the proceeds goes to the Breast Center at Valley Medical Center.
• When: 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Oct. 18
• Where: Downtown Seattle Macy’s, Third Floor Stewart Street Room, 1601 Third Avenue
• Tickets: $30 each plus tax and include brunch, fashion show and a $5 donation to The Breast Center at Valley Medical Center
• Information: Hotline at 206-506-4386
