Just last week, Britton native Angela Glover got to ring a bell. This was not any old bell, but a very special one. This was the bell that signified that Glover had completed her sixteen chemotherapy treatments following a breast cancer diagnosis. And though she has more steps left in her cancer journey, Glover said she is optimistic and feeling grateful for those who are supporting her along the way. Ahead of a benefit that will be held for her in Britton on July 30, Glover shared her story.
Angela (Henning) Glover grew up in Britton and is a 1993 BHS graduate. Her parents are Mike and Gayle Hastings of Britton and the late Tim Henning of Veblen. After high school, Glover attended Stewart’s Cosmetology School in Aberdeen and graduated from there in 1996.
She married her husband Burt, a Hecla native, in 1996 as well. Though the couple started their family in Britton, Glover’s decision to open her own salon in Aberdeen took the family to Groton. The Glovers have two children, a son Tylan who is 22 and a daughter Tadyn, who is 21.
Unexpected Diagnosis
Glover’s world was turned upside down in January when she went to her routine mammogram. “My results were considerably different than the year before,” she explained. “I had to go back and have more testing, an ultrasound, biopsy, MRI, and CAT scan. It was a lot. To say it was a shock would be an understatement.” This was especially true because Glover said her family does not have a history of cancer.
She immediately met with a surgeon and was then scheduled with an oncologist. “I received a phone call with my pathology report diagnosing me with invasive ductal carcinoma and metastatic adenocarcinoma,” she said. “This was breast cancer that had moved into my lymph node on my left side. It was a grade three cancer cell and positive in multiple areas.”
Because of the seriousness of the illness, Glover’s treatment would be aggressive.
Sixteen rounds of chemo before she could even have surgery to have it removed. She immediately started her treatment and notes that she lost her hair by week two.
She faced a few bumps in the road in the weeks after. “I ended up in the hospital with a reaction to my treatment about week ten,” she said. “That set my treatment plan behind by about three weeks as I was just trying to get my strength back and my body to a point where I could tolerate treatment again.”
Many Supporters
Glover is now happy to report that she did indeed get back on track and rang the bell last Thursday following her last chemo treatment. “It felt like it was a huge milestone in my journey,” she emphasized. “I have had the best team at the Cancer Institute in Aberdeen and a huge support group of family and friends.”
She is especially grateful for her husband Burt, who has worked full-time for the National Guard since 2002.
“We have been fortunate that he can take emergency family medical leave to be home with me anytime I need him during this cancer journey.”
Glover adds that others in her support group were also instrumental. “They immediately got on board and would line up anything I needed to make this easier on me and my family,” she said. Then, not too long ago, her friends and family reached out to Glover about holding a benefit. “My first thought was no. Someone else could use this way more than me,” she stressed. “Then after meeting with my surgeons and finding out about my next steps, I decided maybe it would be ok to let my friends and family help.”
Benefit In Her Honor Glover’s sister Stephanie Thibert of Britton immediately got started planning. The event is scheduled for Saturday, July 30 at the Event Center in Britton from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be a meal of brats and burgers plus kids activities. A cornhole tournament will start at 11 a.m. with registration at 10:15. There are silent and live auctions planned as well. T-shirts are also being sold for the event.
Glover says she is overwhelmed by the outpouring of support. “There have been so many people behind me making sure I’m not on this cancer journey alone,” she emphasized. “It’s the best thing about being from small towns like Britton and Groton. I have so many people to thank. I’m not sure how I will ever be able to do that. I love and appreciate them all so much!”
Glover’s journey is not over yet. She is scheduled to have a double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery on August 23. Then she will have to go through radiation therapy. All of this will keep her out of her salon for several weeks. “My co-workers and clients have been so supportive when I have had to be out of the salon and I can’t thank them enough,” she said.
As she looks towards the future, Glover is hopeful. She looks forward to helping her daughter plan a wedding and watching her kids finish their college programs.
She knows the road may be long ahead still, but she plans to walk it with strength. “The best part about all of this is I should be in remission, cancer free when I finish with my whole treatment plan,” she exclaimed. “The benefit will definitely help to get me to the end, and I will find a way to pay it forward.”
Glover emphasized that her family and friends have been a wonderful support system as she has undergone her cancer journey. Pictured is the Glover family, Angela along with husband Burt and children Tylan and Tadyn. For more information on Glover’s benefit, see the add on page three or check Facebook. Monetary donations can also be made in Glover’s name at Norstar Federal Credit Union in Britton.
