THE KSN DREAM HOUSE FOR THE CURE

Print this story

Symphony singer shares her survivor story

by Leon Smitherman
KSN News

WICHITA, Kansas -- This project is taking on a life of its own. We had planned to share with you today a breast cancer survivor story. We had no idea the project would bring the story to us.

The visiting vocalist at tonight's Blue Jeans Concert heard about the project and wanted to help. Symphony fans get ready for a survivor who will take center stage any time she has a chance to save a life.

With a voice that has earned two Grammy's, Sylvia McNair's singing career has spanned 25 years and 70 recordings. She's a pro. What she's new at is surviving breast cancer.

"I was actually diagnosed at stage-three, having just had a clear mammogram less than six months earlier," said McNair.

An aggressive stage-three breast cancer was taking hold. If not for her diligent self breast exams, she may have died.

"I was told I had about six months to live if I didn't have a radical mastectomy that week, basically. So that's what I did."

So, in 2006 at the age of 49, the nomadic life of a successful singer was nearly silenced. And while no one knows why, Sylvia has suspicions.

"I'm one of those ladies that, possibly the breast cancer is connected to years of fertility treatments. I don't know. I'm not sure I want to know because it's water over the dam. I can't get that water back."

There would be no children for Sylvia. Instead, there was a mastectomy, chemo, complications and more surgeries to follow.

"I had to have a complete hysterectomy and then 17 days after my hysterectomy I had an emergency colostomy. There were tumors everywhere and they had to be dealt with in a very short amount of time. I did have to cancel six or seven months of work and just make staying alive my full-time job."

It worked. The long, brown-haired singer survived and is now taking the stage as a shorthaired, platinum blonde. She's living large, borrowing a phrase from Lance Armstrong about life after cancer.

"I'm here to tell you that that is true -- good days and great days -- I don't have anything else anymore."

Now, counting cancer as a blessing, she sings -- not in spite of cancer -- but because of it.

"It made me a better person, which makes me a better artist, a better singer, a better performer every chance I have to walk out on stage. I am so happy to have opportunities to sing and I treasure every single one. I have the best job in the world."

As for whether the chemo changed Sylvia's voice, she says the whole experience changed everything about her life, so in some fashion it did.

While her performance tonight for the Wichita Symphony's Blue Jeans Concert is sold out, tickets are still available for Sylvia and the symphony's performances Saturday at 8:00pm and Sunday at 3pm.

Related links:
Wichita Symphony Orchestra

Benefiting

Special Thanks

Supporting Sponsors