MIDVALE — Five years ago Patti Hagler was certain she had a cyst on her breast. She went to the doctor and asked for it to be drained.
But after a mammogram, sonogram and needle biopsy, the Salt Lake resident found out that the cyst was actually stage III breast cancer.
After going through six months of chemotherapy, having one of her breasts and 15 lymph nodes removed and then seven weeks of radiation, Hagler was cleared from the cancer.
But it had changed her life.
"When they told me 'stage III' and I was learning that the tumor was 10 tumors large, . . . I thought, 'You know what? This is a death sentence,' " she said. "And then I don't know what made me decide, but I decided that instead of a death sentence it would be a wake-up call to embrace life, to enjoy life."
Hagler shares her optimism for life today through her specialized business in Midvale.
In 2004 she opened the Heart to Heart cancer hope boutique at 41 E. 7720 South. She wanted to create a place where women could get a variety of post-cancer products under one roof.
The store sells everything from children's books on how to cope when a parent has cancer, to breast prostheses that come in all shapes and sizes, to special clothing — including swimsuits and lingerie — with breast pockets to hold mastectomy prostheses. It is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Heart to Heart also sells scarves and hats for customers who lose their hair.
In the front of the boutique, there is a small gift shop for loved ones to purchase presents.
"I think it's almost harder for caregivers to see their loved one going through cancer and the treatments because they feel helpless in what they can do, they can't take the illness away and they get frustrated," Hagler said. "So many of them will come here and pick up a book and then feel like they are doing something to help or assist."
The store also has an Angel's Armoire that offers products free of charge, including head wear and post mastectomy products, to women who don't have insurance or the financial ability to pay. The products are donated from the American Cancer Society and from the families of women who lost their lives to cancer.
And toward the back of the boutique sits a kitchen equipped with a table and chairs where Hagler offers some customers an understanding ear and a cup of herbal tea.
"When most women come here they think they are looking for bras or for prosthetics, but what they are really looking for is a place to relax," Hagler said.
Kristie Heybourne met Hagler about two years ago at a breast cancer walk. She said Hagler is an outgoing and caring person.
"She cares about her customers and she wants to give them the best she possibly can," Heybourne said.
Heybourne plans to begin work at Heart to Heart in about a month and, having also been through breast cancer, hopes to provide the same understanding and caring services Hagler provides.
"I've been there when she has customers there and they will stay for an hour and just talk," Heybourne said.
Hagler said the most rewarding part of Heart to Heart is helping her customers and making a difference one woman at a time.
Daryl Hagler, Patti's husband, said that women who have been through breast cancer or who currently have breast cancer have a camaraderie. He said when women come to the store, his wife can relate to them instantly.
Since the business opened, Hagler has been working two jobs just to keep it going, Daryl added.
"She just always wants to help or give," he said. "I mean, that's her drive. If we were independently wealthy, she would still want to do the business to help women out. . . . She's driven to make a difference and that's why she keeps it going."
Hagler also makes a difference by serving as a Reach to Recover Volunteer with the American Cancer Society, where she visits women who have recently been diagnosed with breast cancer and brings them a packet of information and a lot of understanding.
Daryl said there were always down days for his wife while she was fighting the cancer, but she kept going.
"She turned in to be a Reach for Recovery Volunteer before her chemo was actually done, so that tells you what kind of person she is," he said.
Throughout her battle with cancer, Hagler said humor helped her make it through.
"Nothing is funny about being diagnosed with cancer, but using humor as a catalyst to help you through the journey of cancer is so helpful," Hagler said. "Laughing is probably the best medicine."
Hagler found that music was also a way to cope. She remembers listening to her favorite childhood song, "Sweet and Innocent," to get through the challenge of feeling less beautiful because of the removal of her breast and lack of hair.
"Realizing that true beauty is a reflection of my soul didn't happen over night, right after having the mastectomy surgery," Hagler said. "The feeling of my feminine beauty and self worth came over time, and music helped me greatly with that."
Hagler also serves as Mrs. Utah International 2006. In July she will head to Chicago to compete in the international competition.
Through her title, she said she hopes to raise awareness in the local community for her platform: cancer awareness, early detection.
She said regular breast exams and mammograms are very important for women. She said breast exams will help women know what is normal for their breasts versus what is not normal. She said it is important to know that most lumps in the breast are benign, not cancerous.
"So when a woman feels a lump in her breast or armpit, more than likely it's another condition," she said. "They shouldn't wait to see their doctor for months in fear that it is cancer. Early detection will save their life. If it is cancer, and that's a big if, there will be more options available for treatments."
Hagler said her life is fuller because of breast cancer.
"That sounds weird, and I think we can choose our attitude to take toward it," Hagler said, "but if it's going to happen to me, I might as well come away positive and learn from it and be a better individual."
E-mail: nclemens@desnews.com