Oct 8, 2009 6:03 am US/Eastern
Family Fight: 4 Sisters Battle Breast Cancer
KINGSTON, Mass. (CBS) ―
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Paula Swanson, Trisha Bergeron, Deborah Ryan and Lisa Eddy
WBZ-TV
Learning one person in your family has cancer is devastating, but imagine the shock when four out of five sisters are forced to battle breast cancer. That's the case for one family near Boston.
"We were just in shock," Trisha Bergeron of Kingston, Mass., told CBS 2's sister station WBZ-TV.
Trisha's youngest sister Paula Swanson was the first to be diagnosed with breast cancer. She fought it seven years ago, but it returned in 2007.
When Paula's cancer returned Trisha knew she should be checked. She was diagnosed in November 2007. One month later, their sister Debbie Ryan learned she had the disease. This past April Fool's Day, their sister Lisa Eddy was diagnosed with stage one breast cancer.
"I wasn't thinking about 'if' I would get it, I was thinking 'when' and what kind," said oldest sister Gail Molla.
Gail is the only one who hasn't gotten the disease. She's an oncology nurse.
She's been caring for her sisters throughout their often times grueling treatments. Everyday she goes to her sister Paula's house. Paula's cancer has spread and she is not expected to survive.
"I felt guilty wondering why I was spared," said Gail. "I don't feel that guilt anymore because this is the role that I've been given."
The sisters rely not only on each other, but also on humor to get them through.
"We laugh everyday," said Trisha.
"That is the rule," said Gail. "People are embarrassed, sometimes they say, 'We can't believe what you laugh at.' We answer the phone 'cancer headquarters.'"
As each one battled cancer, they knew they could lean on each other for support and guidance.
"My sisters came to all my appointments with me," said Lisa. "They had all the right questions to ask."
Debbie relied on her sisters who had been through chemotherapy and knew what to expect. "It was good that I could call Trisha or call Paula and say how did that feel, did you feel this way."
Trisha said the best part was knowing she was never alone. "Someone was always there for us."
All four sisters who got cancer tested positive for a gene mutation that increases their risk of breast and ovarian cancer. Now, they are deciding if they should take the proactive step of bilateral mastectomy as well as having their ovaries removed.
They have a combined total of seven daughters. So far, one has been tested for the gene mutation and the test came back negative.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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