In Fight For Life, Manhattan Mom In Cancer Battle Finds Comfort In Community

MANHATTAN, IL — A Manhattan woman in a battle with a rare breast cancer has found comfort in community—family and friends who have stepped up as she fights for more time.

Terry Salabura, 49, was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer just over a year ago, in April 2024. Her days have been a flurry of tests, treatments, procedures and painful side effects. The rare cancer accounts for only about 2 to 4 percent of new breast cancer diagnoses annually, MD Anderson Cancer Center reports. Its prognosis is typically three to five years.

"It’s one of the cancers you do not want to be diagnosed with," she said.

Still, she says she has grounded herself in gratitude.

"It’s crazy, but it makes you grateful, and it gives you a different perspective on life, because you can look at everything and enjoy it," she said. "Not take anything for granted. It makes you grateful for what you have had."

Salabura, who moved to Manhattan from Elwood just over a decade ago, has been open about her fight in a GoFundMe started in hopes of providing her family with much-needed financial support amid her ongoing treatments. Salabura lost her job post-diagnosis; her husband is a union laborer.

She hopes treatment will buy her extra time. Access to newer clinical trials has extended the survival time, she said, and most notably, one woman has lived for nine years since diagnosis.

"I’m just looking to get a good nine years," she said. "That would mean raising my youngest daughter until she’s 18."

Married for nearing 27 years, Salabura and husband Wesley have three sons and a daughter, ages 26, 23, 14, and 10, respectively. A grandson joined the family a year and a half ago.

"They have been warriors throughout this journey and have sacrificed a lot for us to get to where we're at on one income today, which I'm sure everyone knows is almost impossible in today's world living normal healthy lives," Salabura wrote in the GoFundMe.

To date, she has finished four rounds of chemotherapy drug doxorubicin (known as "Red Devil"), 11 rounds of Taxol, and undergone a mastectomy with lymph node removal and re-routed reconstruction. The fight has taken its toll on her body and mind. Red Devil, especifically, was difficult to endure.

"That name doesn’t even do it justice," she said. "It’s the worst chemo you can be on—it needs to be, because I have an aggressive cancer. I didn’t say it back then, but I really thought the chemo was going to kill me."

The emotional impact is heavy.

"There’s all these different stages, what you go through mentally and physically," she said.

"But if anyone ever wanted to know what the purpose of their life is, it’s to enjoy the life that they’re given. That’s what our purpose is. Going through this, it throws you into automatically knowing what your purpose is, because you might not wake up tomorrow."

As she's endured the beginnings of a treatment plan that is set to span five years, she's also watched as some family and friends struggle to understand the severity of her cancer. It can be difficult for them to witness, she said.

"Friends disappear," she said.

"You deal with a lot of ignorance, but from family and friends, too. ... It kills you—you don’t want other people to suffer, you don’t want to be a burden to other people."

It's critical, she said, to try to keep a positive outlook.

"The people who don’t have positive mindset and attitude, they don’t make it," she said. "They go really fast."

She's found an online support group for people with her diagnosis, and it's proven essential in helping her navigate it. As she's learned out to take things in stride, she's also now become a mentor to those in the early stages of their battle.

"We’ve been grateful to have that group—that group has really saved me," she said. "Everyone around you, there’s not one person who 'gets' it. That group has been really amazing, has helped me get to where I’m at."

Also essential to her wellbeing has been a friendship that rooted itself in one of her son's own relationships. Her son Blake sat on the bus next to his neighbor Thatcher, and the two became fast friends. Thatcher's mother, Dana Skwirut, has become like a second mom to Blake—and vice versa.

Skwirut and Salabura's friendship has strengthened in the days since her diagnosis. It's been a much-needed and welcomed bright spot for Salabura.

"People like her, when you’re brought into friendship through your kids—more of an acquaintance, and then you realize who’s important in your life," she said. "People you’ve known all your life disappear, and then people like Dana step up and say, ‘I’m here.’

"There’s a lot of loss, and then there’s a lot of gain."

It was no surprise to Salabura, then, when Skwirut offered a special fundraiser in her name. Set to take place at the Mamas and Mimosas event Saturday, May 10 at Peaceful Grounds Coffee Company, also in Manhattan. An afternoon of pampering, shopping, and fun designed for moms, moms-to-be, or those celebrating moms, the event is set for noon to 4 p.m. at Peaceful Grounds, 25626 S. Gougar Road.

Skwirut, who owns photography studio D.Marie Photography, will offer photo shoots in front of a floral backdrop, for a $10 donation to go directly to Salabura.

"I’m so grateful that I have someone like her in my life that comes up with these ideas," Salabura said, "and is willing to do this, just to help us out."

Skwirut welcomes the chance to do something for her dear friend.

"I’ve always had in the back of my head, 'what more can I do to help?'" she said. "Sometimes, people can’t handle things. Sometimes you feel helpless—I can donate here, bring a meal there. To me, it’s not a huge thing, but it’s something.

"I’m happy to have thought of something that’s a little something, that will hopefully help."

Also featured at the event will be customized chair massages and facials, PINCH Mobile Aesthetics with Botox treatments, flower bouquets from Red Farm, braiding and hair consultations from Jeffrey LaMorte Salon, handmade crafts and creative gifts from Crafty Nook, crystals and a sound bath from Hi-Ho Gems, and a pop-up boutique from Closet of a King. Attendance is free, and each vendor will have set pricing for respective goods and services. Mimosas and treats available from Peaceful Grounds.

Skwirut said she's eager to share her talent to support a friend. Salabura said Skwirut's friendship is indescribably important to her—brought into tighter focus for her since her diagnosis.

"It’s an eye-opener of who’s important in your life, and who’s not," she said.

She's hopeful Skwirut's fundraising effort will be successful, while also highlighting her talent.

"Dana puts her heart into everything she attempts to do—her heart and soul goes into it," she said.

"People like Dana are stepping up and amazing you," she said. "I think that’s really amazing of her, and really generous of her. I’m not surprised coming from her, because she’s just that kind of wonderful person."

Mamas and Mimosas is set for Saturday, May 10, from noon to 4 p.m., at Peaceful Grounds Coffee Company, 25626 S. Gougar Road, in Manhattan.