When Screening Matters, A Breast Cancer Story 

This fall marks a special milestone for Bonnie Clark, a beloved veteran educator from Pepperell Elementary School in Lindale. In May, she finished her last day of full-time teaching after dedicating 31 years to educating young minds. But retirement is not her only reason to celebrate.  

Bonnie is marking three months of remission from breast cancer, an unexpected and deeply personal victory. As she reflects on her cancer journey, Bonnie credits the support of her local community and health care providers for helping her through one of the most challenging times of her life.  

Being a teacher, Bonnie had a regularly scheduled mammogram during her summer break in July 2024. She and Dr. Raymond Jarvis, her OB-GYN, had been keeping an eye on a spot in her breast since November. But with her son’s recent wedding, she had nearly forgotten about it. Still, as she talked with the mammogram tech at Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center’s Breast Center, she remembered and asked the tech to make a note for the radiologist to check it. 

A few hours later, Bonnie got a call from The Breast Center and learned that she needed a repeat mammogram and an ultrasound. 

Following the secondary procedures, the radiologist concluded there were two spots of concern. He encouraged Bonnie to schedule a biopsy, and to this Bonnie responded, “Let’s do it right now.”  

A path forward 

Soon after the biopsy, Bonnie got a call confirming the areas were malignant. She had breast cancer. Within the hour, she received a call from Harbin Clinic surgeon Dr. Paul Brock Sr.’s office with an appointment for the following day. 

“The speed of action throughout the process was extremely comforting, as was the appointment with Dr. Brock,” said Bonnie.  “He taught me so much about breast cancer in such a short amount of time.”  

In her appointment, Brock explained the results of the tumor receptor tests would take a little longer. These tests look for receptors on the cancer cells that interact with substances like hormones and help guide treatment decisions. In the meantime, she would have an MRI at The Breast Center and a PET scan. He also suggested genetic testing. 

The tests showed Bonnie had triple-negative breast cancer, a non-hormone-based aggressive form of breast cancer that typically responds well to chemotherapy. It also revealed that the cancer was nowhere else in Bonnie’s body, news that allowed her to breathe a little sigh of relief. After receiving her results, she met with oncologist Dr. Melissa Dillmon, radiation oncologist, Dr. J.C. Abdou and Brock again — the physician team of experts who would be with her during each type of treatment.  

Knowing The Breast Center and team of experts were working together to discuss her best plan of action gave Bonnie a lot of hope. Her treatment plan began with multiple chemotherapy drugs along with immunotherapy from August to December. Then, she underwent surgery followed by radiation therapy in early 2025. 

An education in hope  

As Bonnie listened to her doctors, she realized her treatment would align with her final year of teaching third grade, and she didn’t want to miss any of it.  

“I knew I would need to follow every rule and do exactly what they told me to do if I wanted to feel good,” she said. 

Her school also rallied around her, giving her days off following her treatments while also praying for her and bringing her family food and gift cards.  

“I felt a little nauseous a few times,” said Bonnie, “but not too bad and not what I expected. I never threw up, but I did every single thing those doctors told me to do. I had to put my full trust in their knowledge, and I’m so grateful for the ways my community surrounded me.”  

After surgery, it was clear that her body had responded well to the treatment. Following her lumpectomy, Brock confirmed that he found no residual disease which made her family wonder why she still needed radiation. Abdou was prepared with an explanation as the inquiry was a common one, 

“There are things the naked eye and the current technologies cannot detect,” said Abdou explaining how potential microscopic cancer cells may remain following surgery that can be eradicated by radiation therapy.    

Thinking back on her experience, Bonnie expressed sincere gratitude for how her care team worked together, from cancer navigators who comforted her family to the radiation therapists who put on just the right music during treatment.  

“Everyone was so relaxed and ready to help me feel at ease,” said Bonnie. “My experience was phenomenal.”  

Sharing her struggle and her joy 

While learning about her specific diagnosis, Bonnie also discovered several women she knew who had experienced the same triple-negative diagnosis. Some had completed treatment, while others had more recent diagnoses. 

“I had been given so many things — beautiful head coverings, blankets and more — and as I finished my treatment, I was able to share wisdom and resources with other women going through the same thing. It was like a club I never expected to be a part of, but I could see God was with me the whole way.”  

Abdou and the teammates at the Harbin Clinic Cancer Center also described the joy she brought to their work.  Abdou said, “Bonnie’s positivity was infectious. Her faith and radiance propelled her through her cancer journey.” 

Bonnie rang the treatment completion bell just recently in August after completing her final round of immunotherapy treatment.  

As her cancer journey concluded, she said, “I can’t thank all the people who walked alongside me enough: my school, my church, The Breast Center and the Harbin Clinic Cancer Center. This is an incredible community to be a part of.” 

When facing cancer, patients like Bonnie benefit from the region’s best team of experts close to home. Every day, Atrium Health Floyd and Harbin Clinic are combining their strengths to bring more technologies, resources and breakthrough treatments to the people of northwest Georgia and beyond. 

This month, join Harbin Clinic and Atrium Health Floyd for the 3rd Annual 5K Breast Cancer Awareness Run & Health Walk. Or to schedule a mammogram, call 706-509-5000 or visit our breast health website today.