In May 2022 my sister Kristen was diagnosed with breast cancer.  Her doctor told her it was significant, grade 3, stage 2B, Triple Negative breast cancer.  None of us (her family, friends, loved ones) had any idea what all of that meant but we knew she was in for a long journey.  We encouraged her to get second opinions, talk to other patients, gather lots of information before making any decisions. Then she had her first meeting with her Oncologist at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. After a long meeting and many notes, she and her husband called to say they didn’t need to see anyone else or seek any other opinion.  The Oncologist spoke in terms they understood, laid out a complete plan of attack and they were on board.  Her journey was complicated. She had many trials along the way. Infection was her biggest nemesis.  Kristen was an inpatient at Roswell for 60+ days. She had 4 surgeries, 8 weeks of IV antibiotics, her spinal cord was swollen from a septic infection, her arm was paralyzed, loss of feeling in her legs, seizures, delirium, thyroid, and sodium issues.  The amazing thing is Kristen came home still using a rolling walker just a little before Christmas.  She was weak and her coordination was poor.  Through her treatment, her hospitalization, and her therapy to recover, Kristen has kept an uplifting and positive spirit.  Her I’ve got this mentality has kept her moving forward every step of the way.  Even on the darkest days, she never cried or asked why me? It was always stay strong and stay positive.  

In April 2023, Kristen will complete her radiation treatment.  We hope this will be the end of cancer treatment for her.  We know she will need to have follow up exams at regular intervals but would love to not have cancer be part of her daily life.  

Cancer doesn’t care. It doesn’t care about age. It doesn’t care about your family or friends. It doesn’t care about what it takes from us — or who it leaves behind.