Breast Cancer Awareness Month brings support and awareness to the most common diagnosis of cancer in women globally. In 2025 alone, an estimated 316,950 women were diagnosed with breast cancer worldwide. Our very own Biology Teacher Mrs. Pickering is a brave example of women trying to overcome this horrible disease.
Before being diagnosed, Pickering led a normal life, where she taught, participated in sports, worked out, and ate out regularly, often socializing with friends. In April of 2025, she was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer. There were no signs leading up to her diagnosis, and she felt completely normal.“It was a little bit of a shock to find out about that,” teacher Carla Pickering said.
Pickering started chemo on June 19th 2025 and continued recieveing treatment every three weeks after that. “I’ve honestly been pretty fortunate,” teacher Pickering said. Treatment has affected her in a few ways. Her appetite has been lower, her sensitivity to smells, and some things taste funny “I haven’t been sick, but I always describe it as feeling like ick,” teacher Pickering said. “I’m not eating as much, so a little bit of weight loss, but we take the positives.”
While being a teacher with this disease, Pickering finds it challenging. Students have been very cautious around her. “When kids get sick, they make sure they don’t come in,” Pickering continues. “Everyone has been very good, the kids and parents. I have kids now who just come up and help me out.”
Chemo can damage healthy cells, which decreases the number of white blood cells in ones body. This causes the immune system to weaken, so staying healthy and avoiding common sicknesses is important, especially while being around many students.
Pickering’s biggest struggle through this time is the exhaustion stemming from the chemo. After being diagnosed she’s had to adjust her day-to-day life. She can’t go to crowded places, like restaurants, because of being exposed to sickness. “It’s just being mindful of stuff that you’ve never had to think twice about,” teacher Pickering says. Through her struggles she’s been supported by family and friends while trying to powerthrough everything by keeping busy.
October 9th 2025 was Pickerings last chemo treatment and upcoming in November she will be having surgery. After surgery she hopes to celebrate with her family and friends. Her biggest take away she would like to share with woman is, “You can power through, as bad as it is it could always be it can be worse,” teacher Pickering says.
