RESIDENT SPOTLIGHT By Marianne Zak October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Here are four Lake Ashton women’s stories of courage and fortitude as they faced this tremendous challenge, along with their stories of triumph over breast cancer. Seven years ago, Lydia Fichtman was asked to co-chair the Lake Ashton Pink Ribbon Breast Cancer Golf Tournament. Two weeks later, she was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer following her annual mammogram. The coincidence was not lost on her. She believes strongly that “Every woman should have a mammogram yearly, no questions.” Lydia has been cancer-free since the fall of 2020. At Watson Clinic, she endured chemotherapy, immunotherapy, seven weeks of radiation and three surgeries, all during the COVID quarantine. Due to COVID, her devoted husband, Paul, sat in their car waiting while his bride received her treatments. Lydia has been married to her high school sweetheart, Paul, for 50 years. They recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary by cruising to Alaska with their four children and their families. A highlight of their cruise was when the captain officiated as they renewed their wedding vows in front of their 11 grandchildren. Lydia laughingly told her family, “We are spending your inheritance with you.” Lydia and Paul moved to Lake Ashton in 2018 and reside on Riviera Court. Besides golf and co-chairing the annual breast cancer golf tournament, they cruise somewhere each year. Other destinations have included Africa, French Polynesia, Tahiti, Antarctica, Greenland, Iceland, Norway and the Danube River. They look forward to visiting Japan, Australia and New Zealand in the future. Breast cancer has adjusted their outlook. She said, “There are no shops in Heaven.” 12 Dawn Neigh of Hogan Lane has been married to Ken for 51 years, and together they have raised two daughters. The Neighs moved to Lake Ashton in February 2015 from Michigan. In 2023, she had her annual mammogram and was diagnosed with HER2-positive stage 1 breast cancer. She went to Watson Clinic, where she endured 34 radiation treatments and chemotherapy every three weeks for one year. Ken was with her at every chemotherapy treatment and said, “That’s what I signed up for.” She had surgery to check her lymph nodes and, finding no cancer, she rang the bell in December 2024. Dawn was grateful for the many people in Lake Ashton who, upon hearing of her diagnosis, reached out to her and were “so good to me.” Dawn and Ken celebrated her victory by hosting a party in January 2025 for more than 80 Lake Ashton residents who had “touched me in some way.” She said, “Just little things; they didn’t realize what they did. It was a hug, walking with me, sending a card or a phone call.” The Eagle’s Nest was decorated in pink, with pink boxing gloves as centerpieces. Dawn, an avid golfer, has sponsored a hole for the annual breast cancer tournament every year since she beat cancer. Carole Ferrieri of Birkdale Drive has lived in Lake Ashton for 22 years. She and her husband, Bill, grew up across the street from one another in Greenwich Village, New York. In May, they will celebrate 64 years of marriage. They have three daughters and five grandchildren. In 1992, they moved to Boynton Beach, Florida, before discovering Lake Ashton.Five years ago, Carole’s December mammogram revealed three spots on her breast. She chose to receive her care at AdventHealth in Haines City and was assured that the cancer had been caught in time. She had a mastectomy but did not need chemotherapy, radiation or lymph nodes removed. Carole did not need therapy and was able to quickly resume her active lifestyle. Her insurance allows her three bras a year and a prosthesis every two years, including one for a bathing suit.
13 Publizr Home