Airways Interview: Meet Cindy Cox, 'Ball of Fire' Part 2

DALLAS — October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, designed to bring attention and raise funds for research into the disease’s cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and cure.

With the month in mind, Airways publisher Steve Cosgrove met with Cindy Cox, a Boeing 777 First Officer for American Airlines (AA), who shared her long and successful journey battling the disease.

You can read Part 1 of the interview here, and here's Part 2:

I’ve had cancer, and I know what it's like when the doctor looks at it. He says you have cancer, and it's a punch in the gut. But you said that, in your case, it wasn't. You probably took the doctor aback with your attitude. 

Actually, it did, because I went to my gynecologist when I found the lump. He didn't like it, as he thought it was very suspicious. So he sent me to a surgeon who told me he didn't think it was cancer. The nurses told me later that, when the doctor found out it was cancer during the incisional biopsy, he cried for 45 minutes for me. 

When he gave me the news, I looked at him and said, “Okay, doc, how do we fix it? How do we solve this?” Because this is his realm. My realm is flying and other things, but not cancer and medicine. I needed his expertise. So, I didn't have the “Oh no, I'm gonna die” or even an emotional reaction. It's not that I'm not emotional. I just had an ‘Okay, let's fix it’ response. 

And you had breast cancer twice, so how did the second time happen? What was going on there?

The second time was detected during an ultrasound, showing the mass in the same breast. So, I ended up with a double mastectomy and immediate reconstruction surgery, which, in 2007, gave me the blessing of being cancer-free. I see an oncologist every year to check my blood and verify that I'm still cancer-free. 

Now, how long was it from the first to the second time you got it? 

I was diagnosed the first time late in 2003, and the second time in 2007, so it was nearly four years. 

Did you have chemo or radiation? How did you react to the treatment? 

I did not have chemo because I had a double mastectomy. I just did the incisional biopsy the first time. Since I didn't have the radiation, the doctor was able to do the double mastectomy. If you have radiation, you cannot do a mastectomy because it affects the tissue.

What was it like coming back after 16 years? You were telling me some stories about the simulator and working through classes, and it just kind of blew everybody away. Tell us a little bit about that. 

The flying part was just like riding a bike. Imagine having been in a coma and that everything has progressed for 16 years, and then you open your eyes and everything is different. I came back to work at American Airlines on the Boeing 737 because I had 6,400 hours in the classic 737 series. American has the -800 series, so the only thing that was the same when I came back was the seat and the window in the airplane. 

I had never worked with an iPad. As you could tell, I’m not a computer person. I had never flown RNAV arrivals or departures. I had never flown a glass (Instruments) airplane. I had never flown west of the Mississippi. I had never worked for American Airlines, so everything was new for me, except for the physical act of flying. 

Coming back was a wonderful experience. I had wonderful people supporting me. What’s interesting is that the program wasn't set up for someone who has been out of flying long-term. 

So, I did everything in my power to make sure that I was successful in my return. After I reapplied for my medical, I went out to a little airport and hired an instructor to fly a small airplane. I told him that I just wanted to do precision maneuvers. He was a great instructor, and he had me taxiing, taking off, and I did everything but land the airplane on my 1st flight. The next time, I shot a couple of approaches, and he told me that I'm a natural pilot, which was very nice of him. When we did touch-and-gos, takeoffs & landings, I asked him to teach me how to land that airplane, as I hadn't flown a small plane in 40 years. His job was to guide me, and he did it wonderfully. 

I flew the little airplane for four hours, and then the head of the return-to-work committee called me and said, “Cindy, there is a Boeing 737-800 simulator in Gurnee [Illinois]. It costs US$129 an hour, but I highly suggest that you go there, and you fly that simulator because you haven't flown anything that large in 16 years.” I went up there, and I flew it for seven hours. The simulator is outstanding, with all the switches and everything working just like the real airplane. There's no motion, but there is visual, and it was just like riding a bike. I was very amazed. Then, I went into training at American and was paired with a Captain. The head of the Boeing 737 program called me on the phone and said, “Welcome back, Cindy. What took you so long?” 

He is just a gentleman. When I met him for the first time, he told me everybody was worried about me because I'd been out for so long, but he said, “I'm not worried about you.” I said, “Really?” and he replied, “No. I told my boss and everybody that I'm not worried about you because after talking to you on the phone for 20 minutes, you’re just a ball of fire. She is going to be just fine.” 

He had tremendous confidence in me. Unbeknownst to me, he spoke to all my instructors as I went through the program to make sure I was doing well. The Captain and I worked together like one person. I pulled him aside the first day and told him that I had been out for 16 years, and I promised not to hold him back. 

I had to figure out a lot of things on my own regarding the iPad and things like that. I had some help but, being gone for 16 years, there is so much to learn. I finished on time in the simulator with my Captain after not flying for 16 years and being 59 years old. That was a true miracle. It was such a blessing. Since then, I have mentored two people returning to the airline. One gentleman was out for 16 and a half years. Another lady was out for 11 years and none of us needed extra time in the sim. The training committee asked me to join them. It was a tremendous honor, and I was very appreciative, but I declined. I told them that I would continue to volunteer out of the goodness of my heart to help people. Then, I gave them the formula that I figured out on my own because it's about helping others. So they're now using my formula to help other people to be successful in their process of returning to flying.

What would you have to say to a woman who just got diagnosed with breast cancer?

You can read Part 3 of Capt. Cindy Cox's story here.

Join with the AARC to find better ways to prevent and treat breast cancer

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It’s a time for reflection on trends in breast cancer research, prevention, and treatment. Visit the American Association for Cancer Research (AARC) for more information.

_{The contents of this interview are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, image interpretation, or treatment. Airways recommends seeking the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding any medical condition.}