A story of hope and survival: Gaynelle Perrilloux Ellis

Published 12:05 am Saturday, October 19, 2019

Story by Ronny Michel. Each Saturday in the month of October, L’OBSERVATEUR will publish a Breast Cancer Awareness story of hope and survival.

Gaynelle Perrilloux Ellis was proactive about her health and diligent to keep regular medical check-ups, including mammograms. In January 2015, when she began to experience excruciating breast pain – pain that prevented sleep – Gaynelle saw a doctor, then another, then several more.

“The pain was so bad that I couldn’t sleep for ten months,” Ellis said. “No one could diagnose the problem. I was told that it was nerve pain.”

Finally, in November of that year, something was detected on an ultrasound. A doctor removed a cyst, and Ellis received the call that she had stage four breast cancer. She said that both she and the doctor were shocked. Within two weeks, she had a mastectomy and the removal of 18 lymph nodes.

After 12 rounds of weekly chemotherapy, Ellis’ scans were clear. Three months later, a scan showed that the cancer had spread to her bones. A chemotherapy pill stabilized the cancer for 15 months, and presently she is receiving monthly chemotherapy for two spots on her liver. However, her health issues have not slowed Ellis down. In fact, she is busier now than ever.

“My kids tell me that they forget I’m sick because I’m so strong,” Ellis said. “In situations like this, I have no other choice to stay strong.” Ellis said that her strength comes for God, and that she puts a lot of trust in Him. She is also blessed to have a very strong support system made up of her husband, family, and close friends.

Before she was diagnosed with cancer, Ellis said that never worried about herself, and she spent a lot of time at home. “Now I’m living life,” she said. “I travel a lot and look at life differently. Every day is precious, and I don’t take things for granted.”

At first, Ellis she didn’t want to share her health challenge, but that changed last year when she spoke at church. “So many people came up to me and said that I encouraged them,” she said. “I’m only doing this to help someone.”

Ellis’ mother had cancer in 2013, and because of the family history, she will encourage her daughter to begin mammograms at an early age. “Breast cancer is not a death sentence,” Ellis said. “Every woman should have mammograms. Knowing is half the battle, then you tackle it. I will never stop fighting.”