10/09/2026
๐ฉท With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we want to honor a very special survivor who is part of our Texas Farm Bureau Insurance family. ๐
Today, weโre honored to share the story of Mrs. Teri Vrba, a longtime client of Doyle Lowe! Her story is one of faith, strength, family, and gratitudeโand a beautiful reminder to never take a single day for granted.
๐๐๐ง๐ ๐๐จ ๐๐๐ง๐โ๐จ ๐จ๐ฉ๐ค๐ง๐ฎ, ๐๐ฃ ๐๐๐ง ๐ค๐ฌ๐ฃ ๐ฌ๐ค๐ง๐๐จ:
My Breast Cancer Story
I was diagnosed with breast cancer in December of 2002 when I was forty-one years old. I went in for a routine mammogram and was informed that I had a suspicious area. A diagnostic mammogram was recommended. After receiving my results, my primary doctor and a local surgeon recommended that I have a surgery to remove what they believed to be a cyst. I followed their recommendation and had the surgery in a timely manner. When I awoke in the recovery room I knew by the look on my husbandโs face that something was amiss. He told me that a tumor was found underneath the cyst and that there was a fifty percent chance that I had breast cancer. The surgeon called that weekend to give us the news that I did indeed have breast cancer. I surprised myself by remaining calm and feeling a deep peace inside of me. I immediately knew that God was going to be by my side no matter what difficulties might lie ahead.
My sister-in-law, who was a doctor, recommended an oncologist, and I promptly scheduled an appointment with him. He was very compassionate as he consulted with me about my options. When he asked if he could pray for me, I was appreciative and once again felt Godโs peace.I learned that I had invasive lobular carcinoma, which is an aggressive breast cancer. Therefore, a double mastectomy was recommended followed by chemotherapy. My oncologist recommended a breast surgeon and a plastic surgeon. I opted to have the TRAM flap surgery immediately after the double mastectomy, so the surgery lasted about eight hours. I had a long and tough road ahead of me, but I was ready to begin my recovery.
I felt so blessed to have so much love and support during my journey. I was thankful football season was over so my husband (a former Decatur High School football and track coach) was more available. Ha! My brother and his family lived in Decatur at the time and helped us in many ways. My sister spent nights with me in the hospital which brought me much comfort. My parents came and stayed with us and helped with our children as well as household duties. I will always treasure their love and care for our family during that time.
At the time of my diagnosis I was the school counselor at Rann Elementary. What a blessing it was for me to be working at a school that felt like family! The staff, students and parents were so caring and thoughtful. Two of my coworkers were breast cancer survivors and were so helpful and checked on me often. The handmade cards from precious students were heartwarming and lifted my spirits often as I read them again and again.
I believe I grew closer to God during my battle with breast cancer. He was by my side and gave me the strength I needed to stay calm and trust Him. I have developed an appreciation for beautiful sunsets, full moons, walks with my husband, and playing with our grandchildren in a way that I am not sure I would if I had not had breast cancer. I believe that much can be learned from hard times. I appreciate every day of life God blesses me with.
