When I first heard the words “ you have cancer ”, I felt my world stop. My husband held my hand and said, “ It’s going to be all right. We can do this together. ” From that moment, I knew I wasn’t walking this road alone. I leaned on my family, my three sisters, my church, my coworkers, and my school community. As a teacher assistant, I gathered the teachers I worked with, told them about my diagnosis, and walked out of the room. They were stunned, but immediately surrounded me with prayer and support. That encouragement carried me through. My first surgery was in November 2024, but when Dr. Dunlap said they hadn’t gotten it all, I didn’t hesitate. I said, “ If another surgery will get rid of it, let’s do it. ” In January 2025, I had my second surgery, and this time Dr. Dunlap said, “ We got it all .” I followed with 15 days of radiation. What could have been a lonely and frightening time turned into something different for me. My husband, sisters, nieces, and even friends took turns driving me from Shelbyville to Murfreesboro for treatment. We laughed, we talked, and it became a family affair. My last day of radiation was also my birthday, and a dear friend drove me, celebrated with me, and made the day unforgettable. Through it all, I never felt alone. My church prayed for me, my family surrounded me, and my coworkers stood by me. That support gave me the strength to keep going. My cancer wasn’t found on a mammogram. I had felt a lump for a while, but it didn’t hurt, so I ignored it. It was the staff of the Comprehensive Breast Center at Murfreesboro Medical clinic who encouraged me to get it checked and Dr. Dunlap performed a biopsy. I’m so grateful I listened, because early action saved my life. Today, I’m cancer-free. I continue follow-up visits every six months, and I take a daily medication as part of my treatment plan. Everyone’s journey looks different, but mine taught me the power of listening to your body and leaning on the people who love you. If I can share one message, it’s this: Don’t ignore changes in your body. Speak up, ask questions, and lean on your support system. With faith, family, great doctors and community, you can get through anything.

"As a nurse with years of experience in high-acuity settings, including the Burn ICU at Vanderbilt, I know the importance of skilled, compassionate care. When I was diagnosed with a thyroid nodule, I was intentional about finding the right physician. After asking my primary care provider for recommendations, I was referred to Dr. Caplin. I did my research and was encouraged to see that she had trained under Dr. Netherton at Vanderbilt. That alone gave me confidence. I knew I was in good hands. From the very first appointment in 2022, I felt welcomed and heard. The entire team promoted a strong patient-first approach, and Dr. Caplin had a clear plan in place after my follow-up scan. The turnaround was quick. My procedure was scheduled for February, just weeks after my January scan. I underwent both radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and ethanol ablation on February 28. During the procedure, they let me play my own music and made sure I was comfortable throughout. While I experienced some discomfort, the team’s responsiveness made all the difference. I was able to communicate, and they adjusted in real time. Three months later, my follow-up showed the nodule had shrunk by 77 percent, and there is still potential for further reduction. I hadn’t even realized how much the nodule had been affecting me—changing how I ate, making me choke more often. Now, my quality of life has significantly improved. I describe the whole experience as carefree. If I had to do it again, I would, without hesitation. I live in Murfreesboro and work as a clinical educator for Marian University while pursuing my Doctor of Education in Nursing. I’m so grateful for Dr. Caplin and her team at MMC. I truly believe that care like this should be the standard." -Hillary Sexton, RFA Patient of Dr. Caplin

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