Courage and hope: Two cancer survivors share their journey

TUBA CITY

Every Monday and Tuesday, Muriel Goldtooth, a 46-year-old mother of two, experiences nosebleeds as a side effect of her weekly chemotherapy treatments at Tuba City Regional Health Care’s Specialty Care Center. “That’s on my good days when my condition is somewhat normal,” she shares with a smile.

Last November, Goldtooth decided to get a mammography exam at the TCRHCC despite having no symptoms of cancer. “I was initially anxious, but I ultimately decided to go in for a mammogram. I wanted to be sure and understand the process, especially after hearing about a coworker’s experience,” she recalls.

The mammography led to further tests before Goldtooth learned that she had cancer. “I was in disbelief,” she said. “It took me a month to process what was happening and to understand the doctor’s words. I didn’t cry.”

Goldtooth’s unexpected diagnosis contrasts with the story of LeRoy Shingoitewa, a 79-year-old long-time educator. Almost 25 years ago, Shingoitewa unexpectedly fainted while at his school and was taken to the hospital. “They found a polyp in my large intestine. It wasn’t too bad initially, so I delayed surgery for a year, but we kept monitoring it. Eventually, they operated and removed it,” he said.

For two decades, Shingoitewa was fine, following regular check-ups every five years. But in 2022, during a routine check-up, doctors discovered he had multiple myeloma, a rare blood cancer affecting various body parts. “My first thoughts were, ‘What does this mean?’ and ‘How bad is it?’ When you hear ‘cancer,’ many things run through your mind. The first being, ‘How long do I have to live?’”

Navigating treatment and recovery 

Goldtooth’s surgery was initially delayed due to COVID-19 and was scheduled early this year. She faced tough decisions regarding her treatment options and chose to have both breasts removed to prevent future complications. This decision extended her chemotherapy by another six weeks. “I didn’t want to risk cancer cells spreading. It was my choice, and it gave me a sense of control,” she explains.

Since her surgery, Goldtooth has been visiting the Specialty Care Center for treatment. “Wednesdays are chemo days, and I’m there from 9 a.m. until six or seven in the evening. I feel nauseated and weary for days afterward. Losing my hair was the most devastating part. I cried the whole weekend, but then I decided to take control. It’s my choice, and my hair will grow back.”

“I am self-aware of how I look and how people look at me,” she said about her hair loss. “They look at me like ‘whoa.’ Because I have no hair. I tell myself, ‘Hey, it’s OK. It’s fine. I’m going through something. It’s a badge of honor.”

The mood change is another symptom. “I get really angry. I know that anger comes from thinking why did I get this? Why did it happen to me?” she said. “It’s hard not to think that way. I have to think, you are going to be OK. You’re going to get out of this. That’s when I feel sad.”

Shingoitewa’s treatment began in March 2020. “My initial dose was strong. Whatever I ate went right through me, and I lost 45 pounds,” he recounts. After three and a half years of treatment, he now gets fewer shots, and he feels stronger.

Goldtooth chose to get her treatment at TCRHCC to avoid the financial challenges of traveling to Phoenix. “I like the staff here; they are knowledgeable and supportive. My family, co-workers, and the Tuba City community provide me with incredible support,” Goldtooth said. “After my surgery, my students were sending me videos, messages, and emails all throughout recovery, which was uplifting.”

Importance of support and advocacy 

Goldtooth’s emotional journey is supported by her family and students. She says, “When I feel depressed after chemo, seeing my family and students lifts me up. Their support helps me push through.” Her husband and two children, especially her 21-year-old, have been her pillars of strength.

Shingoitewa’s outlook on life has changed significantly. “I’ve learned to appreciate everything around me—family, friends, and the caring community at the Specialty Care Center. My focus now is on helping others with cancer and spreading hope.

The Specialty Care Center’s role in their recovery is profound. Tanya Riggs, the director of the Specialty Care Center, said, “Receiving care close to home, with the support of family, traditional healing, and spiritual systems, empowers our patients and gives them hope. Our team, comprised of tribal community members, understands the principle of k’é and the importance of relationships with patients, their families, and caregivers. This improves cancer survivorship and the patient experience.”

Spreading the message of early detection 

When Goldtooth returned to work in April, her first message to her colleagues was: “You guys better get screened! Go get tested because it’s crucial. You never know if you have it — I didn’t.” Some took her advice.

Both Goldtooth and Shingoitewa are now in recovery, continuing their treatments. “Live your life to the fullest because you never know when it’s going to change. It really makes you evaluate your life and how you can make it better,” Goldtooth said.

Shingoitewa emphasized the importance of community and support. “My outlook on life is now about working with my family and helping others with cancer.”

“Early detection can save lives, providing hope and a brighter future,” said TCRHCC CEO Joette Walters. “We urge people to schedule a screening today – for yourself, for your loved ones. “Treatment is crucial for a good life.”

Cancer statistics in the Navajo Nation

According to the American Indian Cancer Foundation, 1 in 8 Native American women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime, a rate that surpasses the average risk for women in the United States. Native American women are 7% more likely to develop breast cancer and 10% more likely to die from it compared to non-Hispanic white women.

“Cancer is currently the third leading cause of death among the Navajo people, accounting for 11.5% of all deaths,” according to the most recent Navajo Cancer Report. “(Native American) and Alaska Native people (AI/AN) are often diagnosed at more advanced stages of cancer compared to non-Hispanic white people. Despite having a lower incidence of breast cancer, Navajo women are more likely to be diagnosed at later stages than their non-Hispanic white counterparts.”

Several factors contribute to the higher rate of breast cancer in Native American women:

• Risk factors: Certain risk factors for breast cancer may be more prevalent in specific racial and ethnic groups.
• Diagnosis: Native Americans often receive a breast cancer diagnosis at a later stage than white people.
• Survival: Native American and Alaska Native women have the poorest five-year relative survival rate of any ethnic or minority group in the US, with only about 63% surviving five years after diagnosis.
• Barriers: Significant barriers such as lack of childcare, transportation, and time off work, particularly in regions with harsh weather, hinder timely cancer detection and treatment.
• Historical and cultural factors: Historical and cultural factors, including the detrimental effects of uranium exposure and post-colonial changes in the food environment, along with social determinants of health (e.g., unemployment, food insecurity, and limited access to affordable quality healthcare services), play major roles in the higher cancer rates among the Navajo people.

These findings underscore the urgent need for improved cancer screening, early detection, and comprehensive healthcare services to address the unique challenges faced by Native American women.

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