Finding Strength in Clinical Trials: Carol Harvey's Breast Cancer Story

Carol Harvey's powerful journey from experienced nurse to breast cancer survivor offers a unique dual perspective that changes everything.

Carol shares her unexpected triple-negative breast cancer diagnosis in September 2020 during the height of COVID restrictions when family couldn't accompany her to treatments. With 35 years of nursing experience and a role teaching future nurses at Liberty University, Carol brought professional knowledge to her patient experience that provided both advantages and surprising challenges.

Her decision to join a clinical trial stands as perhaps the most fascinating aspect of this conversation. Despite her medical background, Carol experienced the vulnerability all patients feel when considering experimental treatments. The outcome? Extraordinary monitoring that included multiple echocardiograms, rapid tumor response, and a comprehensive team approach that left her feeling exceptionally well-cared for. "If I were to go through the whole thing again, I would jump into a clinical trial again, 100%," she reflects.

Through chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, and even cognitive therapy for "chemo brain," Carol's journey spans numerous departments within Centra Health. Now three years post-treatment with regular follow-ups, she finds herself transformed. "I am such a better person on this side of cancer than I was beforehand," she reveals, describing a deeper faith, greater empathy, and profound perspective shift that turns even "bad hair days" into moments of gratitude. Her powerful closing message resonates for anyone facing difficult circumstances: "I can do hard things." Listen now to experience this remarkable story of professional insight meeting personal transformation.

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