CLINTON — Marla Naeve, 45, of Clinton, knows the importance of self-breast exams. In October 2008, she found a lump during a self-exam.

Marla is the nursing coordinator at Medical Associates. In 2008, she was a nurse in the float pool at Medical Associates. She said sometimes nurses get in their heads that as long as they get their mammograms, they are safe. Her April 2008 mammogram came back normal. However, by October 2008, the lump was almost silver-dollar sized and Marla was diagnosed with HER2-positive breast cancer, a very invasive breast cancer.

On Dec. 10, 2008, Marla had a lumpectomy, which revealed she had Stage IIIA cancer that had spread into four lymphnodes. A port was put in on Jan. 6, 2009 and she began chemotherapy on Jan. 8.

Marla was shocked when she was first diagnosed. She said it felt like a dream — like it was not really happening to her. Her job involved taking care of cancer patients and she said it was a real eye-opener to experience it from the other side.

The hardest thing for Marla at first was telling people she had cancer. She said it was a very emotional and tearful experience telling her friends and family that she needed them in order to win this fight.

Another hard moment was when she lost her hair. Marla said that is when she really knew she had cancer.

“I cried for three days straight. I thought I looked like an alien,” said Marla.

Eventually she adapted to the “no hair thing.” She wore a wig for a while and then went to bandanas and scarves.

Then in February 2009, Marla and her family were hit with another shock. Her mother, Bea Gavin, of Maquoketa, was diagnosed with breast cancer as well. The two of them went through treatment at the same time. Marla’s mother was a big inspiration for her to keep going.

Marla tried to remain positive during the process and believe she would be alright. She said her faith kept her going and gave her strength. She said one of her favorite quotes is “Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible and receives the impossible.”

“I would carry a pocket card around with me that a friend gave me that said, ‘Lord there is nothing going to happen today that you and I cannot handle together.’   Faith was a very strong part of my treatment journey,” added Marla.

When Marla was diagnosed, her daughter Allyson was 14 years old and a freshman in high school at Prince of Peace. She told herself she would win the fight against cancer so she could see her daughter graduate from high school, go to college, get married and start a family.

What really helped Marla through her struggle with cancer was all of the help from her family and friends. She went through six months of chemotherapy, 36 radiation treatments and then a year on Herceptin. Through this time, she continued working. She said the staff at Medical Associates was so helpful and supportive. Her bosses were very good at accommodating her work schedule with her chemotherapy schedule. She was very thankful to her co-workers who also served as her doctor and nurses: Dr. Anoop Aggarwal, Corinna Waidlich, Sheryl Holesinger and Jamie Burken. She also was grateful to Dr. Mark Dion and his staff for her radiation treatments at Mercy Medical Center.

Marla’s daughter and husband Dan “Boone,” kept her going. She said some days she did not want to go to her chemotherapy treatments. They encouraged her and helped her get up and do what she had to do.

Marla said she was also blessed to have the great friends and neighbors. People involved in Prince of Peace Schools sent meals, gift cards and prayers to Marla. Others gave Allyson rides to school events. Their neighbors came over to check on her.

Marla is currently cancer free and is an almost-three-year survivor. Her family had become very involved in cancer research and programs. Her daughter was the captain of Marla’s Relay for Life team. Sisters and nieces have donated their hair to Locks of Love.

Marla encourages those who have been touched by cancer to enjoy life. She wants people to live, learn, love and be hopeful.