Above: Meghan McConville
Photographer: Paige Peterson
A cancer diagnosis changes everything — not just the body, but the mind, the spirit, the rhythm of daily life. It brings fear and fatigue but also clarity, grit and unexpected grace. For many survivors, the path through treatment is not just about endurance but transformation. It’s a reckoning with what matters most and a renewed commitment to live fully and fiercely.
In a nod to Breast Cancer Awareness Month, in October, we’re sharing portraits of four courageous local women who have faced this disease with honesty, humor and strength. Through surgeries and scans, grief and resilience, each has found a deeper sense of purpose.
These photographs by Paige Peterson, a cancer survivor herself, focus on so much more than illness. They demonstrate how to face it: to ask for help, to hold onto hope and to choose joy, even on the hardest days.
We’re honored to share these stories and hope they inspire you to listen to your body, care for your people and keep going — no matter what.
MEGHAN McCONVILLE (pictured above)
50, Windsor Heights
Cancer doesn’t just invade the body, it hijacks your life. Long before my own diagnosis of Stage 2 breast cancer, it had already left its mark on my family.
Over the course of 18 months, I lived through 22 rounds of chemotherapy, 25 radiation sessions and 4 surgeries, including a double mastectomy. But cancer didn’t stop at my body. It reached into every corner of my life — my marriage, my children, my work, my friendships, my mental health. Nothing was untouched.
Most days were hard. Some were really hard. A few nearly broke me. On the worst days, survival meant getting through the next hour. On better days,
I could look ahead to the next week, the next scan, the next step forward. But always, it was one foot in front of the other. And just when I thought I saw the finish line, it moved. And it moved more than once.
What kept me going? Laughter, often dark, always necessary. A medical team who treated me with both skill and compassion. A family who held me up even as they carried their own grief. Friends and a community who showed up in ways big and small: meals delivered, kids chauffeured to practice, cards written to remind me I wasn’t alone.
There are no words big enough to hold the gratitude I feel. “Thank you” will never be enough.
I made it to the other side. I’m intact, but different. Cancer will always be a part of my story, a chapter in my book of life, but it no longer gets to define me. It no longer gets to hold the pen.
The future is mine to write fully, fiercely and with the knowledge that I can handle it.
AMY RANDALL
46, West Des Moines
On March 26, I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma. All I knew in that moment was: I had cancer. Chemotherapy, radiation and surgery — all of that was still ahead of me. I was home alone, in shock. Like so many do in a moment of fear, I turned to Google. That was a mistake. What I read made me believe I was going to die.
I cried.
Then I thought of my daughter. My husband. My life.
And I remembered who I am. I’m a wife. A mother. A friend. A daughter. A social worker. A fighter.
So I got up off the floor. And I began to fight — with laughter, with love and with fierce positivity. I am not alone in this battle. I am surrounded by a support system of family, friends, survivors and coworkers — my army.
A wise survivor gave me the words that have become my mantra: I have cancer. Cancer does not have me.
Throughout the tests, scans and labs, I stayed focused. My army held me accountable, reminded me to smile and made sure I laughed every single day.
When I met with my care team, I received my official diagnosis: Stage 3 triple-positive breast cancer that had spread to a lymph node. I also received my treatment plan, a roadmap to victory.
Today, I’m halfway through chemotherapy. There’s still a road ahead, but I know where I’m going. And I know I’ll get there. Because I have cancer, but cancer does not have me.
CYNTHIA HENKE
51, West Des Moines
For 25 years, I have worked as a dental hygienist. I found a passion for caring and taking care of my patients and making a difference in their dental health. My greatest joy, however, comes from raising my children, Jake, 22, and Anna, 17. Their well-being fuels my determination and resilience in the face of my current challenge.
Last year, I celebrated my 50th year of life by participating in my first RAGBRAI with Team Black Betty. Completing this rigorous cycling challenge and pedaling every mile across Iowa instilled in me both physical and mental strength. I felt so empowered, thinking, “What’s going to be the next big challenge I can take on?”
A month later, I discovered a lump during a self-examination. Following a series of medical investigations, including expediting my routine mammogram and then biopsies, I received a diagnosis of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), Stage 3B. This aggressive cancer presented unique treatment complexities due to its ability to grow and spread quickly, so I immediately began a comprehensive study trial treatment plan.
My journey has included chemotherapy, followed by a mastectomy to remove multiple cancerous tumors and lymph nodes, and five weeks of radiation. Unfortunately, my cancer proved resistant to initial treatments, necessitating further intervention. I am currently undergoing a second phase of chemotherapy, including participation in a new clinical trial offering additional treatment options. I am receiving a newer chemotherapy drug, an FDA-approved treatment for Stage 4 TNBC, which is being studied for earlier-stage applications. My involvement in these trials is driven by a desire not only to improve my own outcomes, but also to contribute to the development of more effective treatments for future patients. I strongly encourage others to consider clinical trials as a viable treatment option.
This experience has profoundly altered my perspective. While previously I defined my life by my professional drive, life responsibilities and a demanding schedule, I now find immeasurable value in simple joys and the relationships that enrich my life. My body is forcing me to slow down to make these discoveries.
I am deeply grateful for the unwavering support of my family, medical team, coworkers and friends. My faith provides me with strength and resilience, and regardless of the outcome, I remain committed to living fully and embracing each moment. I challenge others to do the same — to live your best life, regardless of the challenges you face.
PAIGE PETERSON
46, Clive
In 2023 my health began to unravel, but I didn’t recognize it at the time. I dismissed the warning signs, convincing myself that this was simply my “new normal.” In November, I received a diagnosis of Hashimoto’s disease, where the immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid. During that process I was referred for a colonoscopy, where they discovered Stage 1 colon cancer in April 2024.
Then came August, when my gynecologist expressed concern over two lumps in my breasts — lumps I hadn’t noticed due to my dense, fibrous breast tissue. By September, I was diagnosed with bilateral ER-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer.
In just 171 days, my life had turned upside down by two separate and unrelated cancer diagnoses. I underwent a double mastectomy in December 2024, followed by three additional surgeries and radiation.
Throughout this journey, I learned a crucial lesson: You know your body better than anyone else. If something feels off, push for answers. Women, in particular, often have their symptoms dismissed. Don’t let that happen to you. Seek second opinions, consult specialists and surround yourself with those who truly listen. If your doctor brushes aside your symptoms, find a new doctor.
No matter how independent you may be, facing cancer alone is not an option. My husband and children became my lifeline, providing laughter and support during the darkest moments. They helped with everything from washing my hair to reminding me to rest.
Be vulnerable. Seek therapy. And don’t shy away from journaling to release your thoughts before they fester. Just as mold grows in the dark, so can despair.
Protect your peace; it’s essential for your heart and mind. Honor your needs, even if others don’t understand them. You are fighting for your life, not anyone else’s approval. You are what matters.
Discovering this new version of myself has been challenging. Some experiences in life merely scratch the surface; others, like cancer, force us to skip entire chapters. You may not fully grasp what’s been lost, but you know it was something beautiful. There’s no going back, only forward, constantly glancing back at the person you once were while simultaneously seeking your future self.
Sharing my experience isn’t just a choice; it’s a necessity. If my story inspires even one person to schedule a colonoscopy or a mammogram, it’s worth it. If someone can push past their fears and excuses — “I don’t have time,” “It’s probably nothing” — to prioritize their health, it’s worth it.
Early detection is the key to survival. It’s how you get to see your children grow up, how you check off items from your bucket list and, ultimately, how you live.
RESOURCES TO HELP
Cancer is a tough teacher. In addition to the life lessons the survivors shared in the previous pages, they also mentioned several resources they’ve learned about during their journeys through treatment. They asked to share them here to help others along the way.
Above + Beyond Cancer
The local nonprofit provides free, evidence-based programs for cancer survivors and the community. The programs run the gamut — fitness, nutrition, meditation, outdoor adventure and more. aboveandbeyondcancer.org
Can Do Cancer
This Central Iowa nonprofit helps cancer patients with everything except the medical treatment itself. “Patient partners” provide dinner for patients and their families on chemo days, help with house cleaning, offer motivational support and more. candocancer.org
Lymphatic drainage massage
This gentle, rhythmic form of massage can accelerate the natural drainage of lymph fluid, which helps remove toxins and reduce post-surgery swelling. Several local spas offer the service, including Lympha Spa & Massage in Clive. lymphaspaandmassage.com
Pink Ribbon Program
The Iowa Clinic’s program provides physical therapy to breast cancer patients to help improve their mobility, strength and quality of life after surgery and treatment. iowaclinic.com
Risk calculators
Several free tests are available online to help women determine their risk for cancer, including the Tyrer-Cuzick Risk Assessment. For reliable details, visit breastcancer.org
Strands of Strength
The local nonprofit provides high-quality new wigs to cancer patients in financial need. The group also works with salons across Iowa to help patients look and feel their best. strandsofstrength.com
