LKN PINK WARRIORS

LKN PINKwarriors spread the hope

find the cure

I have never met a woman across the spectrum of adulthood that is not apprehensive each and every time they lean into the mammography machine. It does not discriminate and fear is the great equalizer. As we celebrate LKN Pink Warriors in our 10th annual Breast Cancer Awareness/Pink Pages Issue, we hope to inspire, remember, heal, and celebrate life … with a lot of gratitude sprinkled on top!

Phaedra Pistone Phaedra Pistone of Mooresville is a two-time breast cancer survivor but, like all Pink Warriors, she does not let that define her. And, like many fellow warriors, when it got darkest, she straightened that crown and forged on … quite literally since Phaedra was recently crowned Mrs. U.S. Continental after a weekend-long competition in Stuart, Florida. Phaedra is the owner of Classic Bride & Formals bridal boutique in Cornelius and an active community volunteer, donating her time and talents to numerous local organizations. Her platform while serving as Mrs. U.S. Continental includes the American Cancer Society, Shirley’s Angels, and National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. During her reign, she will advocate for breast cancer awareness and continue her mission to empower, encourage, and educate people about the importance of early detection through mammography. “I will continue to help provide FREE or low-cost mammograms to all women,” Phaedra says, “and I will continue to educate all about the importance of early detection with mammograms because it saved my life twice. Ladies, get your mammogram … it could save your life, too!” In her leisure time, Phaedra enjoys skydiving, running, crafting, and road trips with her husband and four-legged family members.

Amy Rubacky

“There are some moments in our lives that are so pivotal that we never stop drawing on them for wisdom, courage, and direction.”

For registered nurse and mom of three Amy Rubacky, there was no history of cancer in her family tree and she was diligent about annual mammograms; but, in late October of 2013 all that changed. “There are moments in everyone’s life,” Amy says, “when the world just stops spinning...even for a few seconds. When my doctor requested that I meet him at the office at 6:30 pm, I knew what was coming. His exact words, ‘I regret to inform you, you have invasive ductal carcinoma,’ just hung in the air. My only thought was of my children who were 11, 9, and 6 at the time. My only prayer was to be able to raise them. I went into nurse mode … time to make a plan.” There was much ahead for Amy: lots of testing, surgery, radiation, and postoperative treatments that would all take its toll on her body— even the eventual removal of her ovaries which propelled her into menopause. But through it all, she went step-by-step following the plan as directed by many specialists. “This month I am eight years cancer free, and I am very clear on what I want to do with the rest of my life and what gifts I have to contribute to make the world a better place. I am grateful to be raising my children and to know deep friendships and the value of connection with those I love. I know how very lucky I am to be here, and not a day goes by that I forget to take note of the small things that make life so beautiful … a good cup of coffee, a meaningful chat with a friend, candles that crackle and smell of lavender, hearing my kids laugh, a gorgeous sunset, live music … life is good!”

(From Matthew Kelly’s book, “Life is Messy”) Vickie Hamilton

In September 2019, Vickie Hamilton had her yearly mammogram at Iredell Health System’s Women’s Health Center. Knowing that the breast x-ray detects cancers too small for an individual to simply feel, she has always been diligent to follow recommendations to have an annual mammogram starting at age 40. Vickie had always heard that breast cancer was hereditary and stemmed from the mother’s side, and since that didn’t apply to her, she never considered herself at risk. Then she was notified of her test results; the radiologist who reviewed her results had seen something suspicious, and additional images were needed. It was soon after that she learned she had cancer, and a million thoughts and emotions flooded her mind. Vickie recalls: “I thought, ‘Maybe it’s nothing.’ But then you begin to think, ‘Gosh, they’re kind of serious about this.’ Your mind naturally asks, ‘How bad is it?’ and ‘How sick am I going to be?’” After the additional imaging showed her lymph nodes were clear of any cancer spreading, Vickie underwent a lumpectomy just a month after her initial mammogram. “I have done very well since my treatments ended, and I see my oncologist regularly. I am very diligent about keeping all my appointments, taking the prescribed medications, and following the advice of my doctor. My advice to others is to get your mammograms done! Early detection is key to your outcome.” w