Page 131 - South Mississippi Living - October, 2017

but her estrogen and progesterone receptors were positive and the her-2 receptor was negative.”
He and Craig had lengthy conversations about her options. She chose to have a bilateral mastectomy, which was performed by Dr. Bailey. “We try to tailor our surgical plans to what the patient wants if it’s medically feasible,” he said. “Her tumor was small — less than five millimeters.”
Craig’s reconstructive surgery was performed by Dr. Michael Diaz of Biloxi using the DIEP flap method, an advanced procedure that takes fat from the woman’s abdominal wall to reconstruct the breasts.
“It was successful for her. Most women have no side effects with
this surgery. It does not get into the muscle, so there are less complications in the abdominal area such as hernias,” Bailey said. “She will be my patient ongoing to make sure she’s healed completely and there’s no scar tissue. I will see her about six weeks out from the surgery, then six months out and after that once a year.”
Craig is not having chemo therapy
although she does take a hormone pill once a day, which she says is her “anti- hormone chemo.” Dr. Bailey explains that the daily pill blocks the estrogen and progesterone receptors. “It’s not chemo as we think of it; it doesn’t make her hair fall out,” he said. “It is reducing the chance that her cancer will return or any new breast cancer will occur. She will take it for five years.”
Bailey, who’s practiced medicine for 21 years, says Craig’s outlook is very good. “She is doing remarkably well and recovering very well,” he said. “No doubt about it, attitude plays
a role in recovery and she has an excellent attitude.”
A licensed social worker, Craig plans to return to work because she feels
she has a lot to give. “I want my life to be an example for others by the way I’ve handled breast cancer and other issues,” she said.
Life recently dealt this strong lady another blow with the death of her husband of 34 years, Michael O. Craig, who was a Chevron employee for 27 years. However, her attitude remains positive.
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Pascagoula
2525 Telephone Rd Pascagoula, MS
Ocean Springs
1124 Oakleigh Rd Ocean Springs, MS
Biloxi
147 Reynoir St, Ste 306 Biloxi, MS
Lucedale
57 Dewey St Lucedale, MS
story by Lynn Lofton photos by Donn Hupp
BELOW: Linda Craig and Dr. John Bailey discuss her recovery after her breast cancer surgery.