Juniata Gap teacher named Relay For Life ambassador
McGeary keeps ‘positive attitude’ after overcoming cancer
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While she wants to put her cancer experience behind her, a kindergarten teacher at Juniata Gap Elementary said she is honored to serve as ambassador for the Blair County Relay For Life.
The American Cancer Society's signature fundraising event will be held June 9 and 10 at Altoona's Mansion Park.
"It is an honor. As much as I want to put this behind me, it is important to acknowledge the work that all of the volunteers do. This provides an awareness to the importance of finding a cure and lobbying for speeding up the process," said Christine McGeary, who overcame a two-year battle with breast cancer.
McGeary is a worthy recipient of the honor, said Sue Boland, event co-chair.
The hope is the ambassador will be an example for others going through a cancer diagnosis.
"In sharing their story, we wish for others to know that a cancer diagnosis doesn't mean that the patient has nothing to look forward to, that they have no reason for hope, that their future outlook is always bleak, with only fear and suffering to look forward to," Boland said.
"Good things can and do happen even after a cancer diagnosis," Boland said. "We always hope that our ambassador will represent and share a positive and hopeful outlook."
McGeary said having a positive attitude was important in her battle.
"I had a positive attitude. When it happens to you, it is not fair to impact the people around you. It was not the kids' fault I got cancer. I had great support from my family and the school, my husband, Doug, was amazing," McGeary said. "I decided this wasn't going to kill me."
"Chris was positive throughout her diagnosis and treatment, with so much grace and poise. No matter how sick she felt, she continued to come to school and teach kindergarten everyday. She came after chemo treatments because she wanted to be with her students," said Principal Tricia Rosas.
McGeary, now 49, was officially diagnosed in November 2020 but admitted she had found a lump on her right breast in July.
"I should have said something then. My mammogram was to be in October, but then I also got COVID," McGeary said.
Her cancer was slow growing, so she doesn't believe she endangered her life. She was diagnosed with early stage triple positive breast cancer.
After the official diagnosis, she went to UPMC Magee-Women's Hospital in Pittsburgh for treatment.
She started with chemotherapy for 18 weeks and had a bilateral mastectomy followed by a full year of another watered-down form of chemotherapy. That was followed by 25 sessions of radiation before starting the reconstruction process, which involved two surgeries. Her last surgery was in November.
"During that whole time, my kids (twin daughters Abigail and Riley) were going through their senior year of high school and preparing for college. We did college visits, then went through COVID. It was hell," McGeary said.
She lost her hair two weeks after the chemotherapy. "For me losing hair was more devastating than losing body parts," McGeary said.
McGeary admits she had never paid much attention to mammogram tests in the past. Her BI-RADS test (Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System) was 5 on a scale of 6.
"I already knew I had cancer, on the report were some scary cancer words," McGeary said. "I was truly frightened for about a week when I found out my BI-RAS score. I remember saying this isn't going to kill me, it will be super inconvenient and it was super inconvenient."
McGeary was able to keep working most of the time during her cancer treatment.
She had to take a few days off during chemo treatments. "It was like the worst flu you ever experienced. I had sick days to use. I took two leaves to recover from surgery," McGeary said.
McGeary said it was not always easy going through the treatments and recovery.
"I got very good at compartmentalizing, that is how I approached it. I tried not to think about my treatment when I was on my way there. I didn't think about the chemotherapy until I was there. It was hard wearing a wig and a mask and glasses, that was horrible," McGeary said. "My biggest challenge was keeping up with everyday things and not dwelling on it (cancer), not be overshadowed by this giant thing you have on your back."
McGeary's coworkers at Juniata Gap were impressed how she handled her battle.
Fellow teacher Jennifer Hileman said McGeary handled her cancer like a "rock star." She never stopped and kept going.
At times, she had to be home to go through treatments and have surgeries, but she came to school whenever she could, Hileman said. "She never complained and continued to make a difference in her kindergarten classroom. She is such a strong person who believed in herself. Her strength is amazing."
Another fellow teacher Andrew Allender called McGeary an incredible person and a phenomenal educator.
She maintained a high standard for her kindergarten students while displaying grace and tenderness. "Her dedication to her students and her profession was exemplified during her battle with cancer. Throughout her struggle, her passion, humor and positivity to both her students and the staff were unwavering," Allender said.
The school supported McGeary.
"She never wanted our staff to do anything for her or her family. We didn't listen though," Rosas said.
The school staff created "Team Chris" shirts in her favorite color and the entire staff surprised her by wearing them to school the day before her first chemo treatment. They also put together a 'take care of you' basket full of her favorite things plus cozy clothes for after her surgery. They also held a districtwide dress down day to raise money to help Chris and her family with the cost of meals and gas traveling back and forth to Pittsburgh, Rosas said.
"My favorite was wearing a T-shirt with the saying 'Team Chris' on the front with the pink cancer ribbon and the back 'Your Juniata Gap Family Has Your Back.' We took a photo with the whole staff wearing the shirt. This picture is a reminder of how caring and supportive our building is on any day," Hileman said.
Mirror Staff Writer Walt Frank is at 814-946-7467.