National Cancer Survivors Day Spotlight: Alexandra Foster's journey of strength and resilience
For Alexandra Foster, RN, Medical City Decatur has been more than a workplace; it has been home. She started at the hospital in 2008 at just 18 years old, calling it her first “big girl job.” As a single mother, she worked in admissions for nine years before pursuing her dream of becoming a nurse.
In March 2023, her life suddenly changed when a routine mammogram during her lunch break led to a breast cancer diagnosis. “I was only 33 years old, a wife and a mom,” says Foster. “The first thing you think of is dying. I never imagined cancer could happen to me.”
Like many women, she initially tried to dismiss the lump she found during a self-exam, believing she was too young for it to be cancer. Thankfully, the healthcare professionals around her encouraged her to seek care.
One act of compassion during those early days remains unforgettable. After her biopsy at Medical City Decatur, Kathryn Greenway, MD, personally called Alexandra with preliminary results before leaving for vacation. “It wasn’t the news I wanted, but she knew I wasn’t going to make it through the weekend without knowing,” Foster recalls. “I will never forget that kindness.”
One of the greatest challenges during treatment was living with uncertainty. “There were days when fear and worry seemed overwhelming. The question of whether treatment would work was never far from my mind.”
Through it all, she focused on her family, especially her daughter. “My daughter became my reason to keep pushing forward. I learned that courage is not the absence of fear; it’s choosing to move forward despite it.”
The experience also transformed her perspective as a nurse.
“Being on the other side of healthcare gave me a deeper understanding of the fear, unknown and vulnerability that patients often feel,” Foster says. “As nurses, we may not always realize the impact we have, but sometimes a kind word, a listening ear or simply being present can make all the difference.”
“This journey taught me what it truly means to trust your healthcare team,” she said. “It made me more intentional about the care I provide and reminded me to always lead with compassion.”
Looking back, Alexandra says cancer challenged her in ways she never expected, but it also revealed incredible strength. “Cancer may have tested my strength, but it also revealed the incredible power of community, love and human kindness.”
Today, as she celebrates National Cancer Survivors Day, Foster is focused on what matters most: life itself. What brings her joy now?
“Life. Friends and family,” she said. “I try to live life to the fullest and value the experiences and memories I make with the people I love.”
Her message to others facing a cancer diagnosis is simple: “You are stronger than you realize, even on the bad days. It’s okay to cry. It’s okay to be angry. But don’t stay there. Ask for help and let people take care of you.”
And for women, she offers one piece of advice she hopes everyone hears: “Don’t ignore the signs. Early screenings save lives and they could save yours.”