I'm not done living

Carol Benoit was driving in the car in November 2021 when she got a call from her primary care physician. It was a call she hoped not to have to answer.

“My heart sank” she recalls, “and I looked at my husband and said, ‘but I’m not done living.’”

When she heard she had breast cancer, her family came to mind immediately. She was afraid of missing pivotal moments in the lives of her grandchildren. The thoughts of not being around to see her granddaughters get married one day was devastating. However, because of her background as a registered physician’s medical assistant for over 40 years, her medical mindset took over the daunting thoughts. She knew if she was going to survive this, she needed a plan.

Carol handpicked a line up of physician specialists to walk with her through her cancer journey, from the breast surgeon to the oncologists and radiation oncologists. She chose a care team from Lake Charles Memorial Hospital’s cancer center who were physicians she knew and trusted.

Carol has worked at Lake Charles Memorial Health System for over 15 years. As an employee, she has displayed care and compassion for the patients she encounters. During her fight against breast cancer, she switched roles and experienced a taste of the same compassionate care she provides every day to patients.

“My faith was strong, and I knew God was going to get me through this,” says Carol. Her faith carried her through the tough times of treatment and recovery, allowing her to continue working as a medical assistant, today, as a breast cancer survivor.

The Foundation at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital featured Carol in the 2024 Fashion with Purpose Gala, benefiting the cancer fund. Carol celebrated surviving cancer along with seven other fashion show models, surrounded by friends, family, and community members supporting cancer care close to home. She wore a bright pink sparkling gown to showcase that breast cancer didn’t stop her from living.

Carol encourages women to follow breast cancer screening recommendations and prioritize a mammogram. When it comes to breast cancer, mammograms can save lives.