The Palm Coast resident will join more than a hundred other survivors and their families in a tree planting and a dove release. She will hand out commemorative lapel pins to patients undergoing treatment as a reminder to stay positive.
Rodriquez spoke to The News-Journal about her cancer experiences.
When were you diagnosed?
I was diagnosed April of 2009 with cancer in my left breast. I was scheduled to have surgery in New York, where I’m originally from. The surgeon became ill and could not perform the surgery. My daughter saw a commercial for CTCA and called them. Within 24 hours, they had me scheduled (for a mastectomy). I was there in June. They looked at the film. The cancer had spread to my spine.
One thing I love about CTCA is that they’re completely thorough. My cancer was really out of control. It was a battle. I was told in May of 2011 that my cancer was in remission. I was on top of the world. (Then) in April of 2013, cancer was found in my right lung. I have had radiation to one spot in my lung. Because of an infection they have not been able to pinpoint (the location of) another tumor in my lung.
I will go back in August. They will do the testing again. Hopefully by then the (infection) will have shrunken enough. They can pinpoint the other spot and give me radiation for that. I do have inhalers. I do have a quality of life. It’s important for me to have quality of life because I love my family and grandchildren.