BLINN VOCATIONAL NURSING INSTRUCTOR BATTLES BACK FROM CANCER
Blinn College vocational nursing instructor Donna Fricke didn’t have a history of breast cancer in her family. She hadn’t even noticed any symptoms prior to her yearly mammogram in January.
But when the doctor found something suspicious, she immediately thought cancer. After her doctor ran a few more tests, Fricke’s suspicion became a reality: she had adenocarcinoma of the breast.
“I had a feeling of what the doctors were going to tell me, but when I received the diagnosis I just had a numb feeling of being in shock,” Fricke said. “My immediate response was not to sit back, but to be proactive and have a plan.”
Fricke quickly consulted with an oncologist and scheduled surgery before the end of the month. Chemotherapy and radiation treatments followed. Now, after a long and challenging fight, Fricke has been declared cancer-free.
Throughout her treatments, Fricke continued to work full-time as an instructor.
“These students are my priority,” Fricke said. “I told my students that I needed them to support me and I was going to do the utmost to do my duty as a teacher.”
Having worked in healthcare for the majority of her professional life, Fricke experienced oncology from the patient’s point of view. Now she imparts some of that wisdom on her students.
“I tell them a positive attitude is the best attribute you can give your patients,” Fricke said. “It helps a cancer patient just hearing a nurse say that you can beat this and to have a cheerleader by your side.”
Fricke has deep roots at Blinn – in addition to being a graduate, her mother worked at Blinn as an instructor. In fact, when Fricke started at Blinn in 2008, she inherited her mother’s former office.
“Cancer is a devastating disease, but through this experience there have been many blessings,” Fricke said. “The support that I have received from students, friends, family, co-workers and complete strangers is amazing.”
That’s my girl~Survivor sister! So proud of you Donna!!!! It is so true…..our Lord & Savior gives us unimaginable strength to fulfill His will! Such a blessing to know you~Niccole
Congratulations and best wishes for a beautiful future!
I wLonce had mrs fricke a a teacher she is a wonderful woman and i knew she could fight back on that cancer. Way to go mrs fricke i knew you could do it I’m praying for you that it does not come back
Great fight sister. Congratulations on cancer free. Thank to all the supporters she had.
YAY! I was SOOOO happy when mom shared your good news! I’ve been praying for you…
Hugs and love from North Texas!
Dee
I knew that if anyone could battle through this terrible disease, Donna Fricke could! Her faith and strength are monumental!!! While we celebrate Donna’s clean bill of health, let’s ALL (both women AND men) remember the necessity of a monthly breast self exam. Yes, our husbands can also have breast cancer!!! Women, remember to get those mammograms!!! Early detection of breast cancer and prompt treatment saves lives!!!!!!
Donna is such an inspiration to all. She is so positive, loving, fun, and caring. She has touched so many lives through her teaching, her cancer, as a parent, grandmother and of course her profession. I am proud to be her peer and friend.
I love her
Donna, so glad to hear that you are cancer free. You were my daughter-in- laws instructor when she took the Blinn LVN program. She absolutely loved you as a teacher.You are an inspiration to those that are battling illnesses and I pray that God will bless you with a healthy future.
So proud of you Donna. You are an inspiration to all, those with cancer and those without but particular those with cancer. I loved working with you all those many years ago and knew you were an asset to the nursing profession then and would make a wonderful nurse. Hope to see you sometime in the future so we can “catch up”! God Bless You.
What an inspiration Mrs. Fricke is to her students and all those who are battling cancer.