After Reading Facebook Post, Bikers Rally Around Stranger With Breast Cancer

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UPDATE:  As of 9:35 p.m. Monday, Amy Patterson she is out of surgery and in recovery according to her husband, Doug.

Doug Patterson says the doctor said they "got it all" regarding the cancer.

Doug says the doctor told him that whatever went on with her arrival to the hospital, it made her one heck of a strong patient during that very long surgery.  Amy came in with a huge positive attitude and doc says it makes a difference in surgery.

She is being moved to her own room.

ROWLETT (CBS11) - What began as a simple request by a loving husband, ended in a huge show of love and support by a community for his wife.

On Saturday night, Doug Patterson said he was comforting his wife Amy.

In two days, she was going to have a double mastectomy, an eight hour long procedure, as part of her treatment for stage three breast cancer.

Patterson said his wife worried about their two year old son not remembering her if the surgery didn't go well.

So after they fell asleep, Doug said he fell apart. "I couldn't let her see me cry, so I waited until they went to bed, I went into our bathroom and balled like a baby and put out a post."

Patterson went on Facebook and requested bikers escort his wife as they drove to Baylor Medical Center in Garland.

He remembered his wife loved riding on motorcycles, and thought maybe ten or 15 would respond.

But by Monday morning, Patterson said to his surprise, more than 100 bikers pledged their support.

Bikers from the Rumble Against Cancer, The Southern Dawgs, and the North Texas Patriot Guard were among those who showed up.

Amy Patterson cried tears of joy. "It's just completely touched my heart and it's just been overwhelming. People are at their best when you're at your worst and it's been humbling."

She said she had never met any of those who responded before this day.

Before going to the hospital, they all congregated at a former supermarket parking lot.

Among them, Rowlett's mayor Todd Gottel, who told Amy, "It's an honor to meet you. So many people are praying for you."

They received an escort from both Rowlett and Garland Police Departments.

Vincent Barrera lost his wife Erma to breast cancer three years ago. "I wanted to reach out to her husband Doug because I knew exactly where he found himself and that morning we spent talking onFacebook until 5:00 a.m. and he and I felt that God had brought us together on Facebook to bring love and support to his beautiful wife."

Judy Hoover of Rumble Against Cancer saw the post, and insisted Amy ride with her. "I read it, and the tears started falling. To see the smile on Amy's face, that's all the thanks anyone needs."

After arriving at the hospital and taking group photos, Amy Patterson said she couldn't help but smile. "I'm am so much calmer than I thought I was going to be when this day come. Just because of everyone's support and it's really helping me, my husband, and my family. I'm ready to go now. I hear the Rocky music playing. I'm ready."

Patterson said he hasn't seen his wife smile like that in quite some time.

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