In December of 2020, Lydia Nolen found a lump.

She scheduled a mammogram and ultrasound. Nothing concerning was found. Possibly mastitis, but Lydia’s doctor wanted to be sure. She was referred to a surgeon.

When Lydia saw the surgeon, there was nothing there. The lump was gone. However, the surgeon noticed something else on Lydia’s skin.

On January 5, 2021, Lydia was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer (IBC).

IBC is very aggressive and rare, accounting for only 1-5% of all breast cancers. It grows and spreads quickly. It’s likely to have spread before it is found. IBC doesn’t often cause lumps, and it might not show up on a mammogram.

Lydia will tell you that God showed her that lump. If it weren’t for that lump, Lydia never would have visited the doctor, Lydia’s doctor wouldn’t have have sent her to the surgeon, and the surgeon wouldn’t have discovered her nearly Stage 4 IBC.

Lydia knew she wanted the best care possible, which was in Birmingham, a haul from her town of Florence, AL. Lydia’s doctor in Florence helped her get an appointment at the Kirklin Clinic. Under the direction of UAB, she took chemo near home. She also had a double mastectomy.

When it came to radiation, she wanted to be at UAB. In September of 2021, she went to see Dr. Boggs in UAB Radiation Oncology. Dr. Boggs prayed with Lydia, and then he started her radiation treatment plan.

Treatment was aggressive and would require her to stay close to UAB. No one is ever prepared for a life-altering medical diagnosis. Lydia’s husband would need to stay in Florence for work and to tend to their farm.

They had to move fast to find Lydia a place to stay for her 6-weeks of radiation. The day before they were ready to book her stay at a hotel, which was going to cost $100 a night, they got the call from Red Mountain Grace. An apartment opened up.

“It made such a difference. It gave me a home setting. I could leave my stuff. I had a kitchen. I had a little home spot. It was such a blessing.”

Lydia settled into her apartment. She kept busy by making beautiful art and ornaments for her church’s upcoming Christmas bazaar. She looked forward to visits from her daughters, who were able to have space when they visited. Our staff and junior board members joined her to celebrate her daughter’s engagement. She kept fighting her battle against breast cancer.

On October 19, 2021, Lydia Nolen rang the bell and checked out of her Red Mountain Grace apartment. She beat it.

Over the past year, Lydia has celebrated so much - one daughter’s wedding, the birth of her first grandbaby, and a year since she finished cancer treatment.

It’s well known that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The American Cancer Society estimates that about 1 in 8 women are going to develop invasive breast cancer in their lifetime. We all know someone who has endured a battle with breast cancer. Lydia was blessed to have a strong group of friends, many of whom had battled breast cancer, to support her during her battle. Now, she can support others in their fight:

“It’s not a death sentence anymore. Don’t give up hope. I was stage 3C, very close to stage 4. I am doing fine now. It was not a fun experience, but it was doable. I think attitude has a lot to do with it - and support. I have several friends who have been through this. They were awesome.”

When Lydia headed home, she gifted RMG with some of her art pieces and angel ornaments. Her beautiful art has served as a sweet reminder for why we continue on in our mission of gracious hospitality for guests like Lydia.

“It was so comforting to have a place that felt more like a home and also to have people in RMG that checked on me. I knew I could call on when I needed anything.”

Happy One Year Post-Treatment, Lydia!