Breast Cancer Supplement

Breast Cancer Supplement 2017

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By Aubrey Hillis Photos Melissa Donald Hair/Makeup Caleb Yeske, CKY Hair

Women all over Louisville and Southern Indiana are working to support those who are dealing with a diagnosis of breast cancer. Women who were recently diagnosed and those who are long-time survivors share some thoughts that will help loving those with breast cancer and those fighting it.

(On cover)

KIMBERLY ZINK

AGE 44 JOB UPS Administrative where I move aircraft parts logistically and coaches middle school girls basketball at Hazelwood (New Albany, Indiana) DIAGNOSIS Stage 3 breast cancer, and positive for BRCA 2 gene, January 2005 (32 years old) TREATMENTS Chemo and mastectomy, then bilateral mastectomy, complete hysterectomy and reconstruction HOW DO YOU COPE WITH STRESS When I would stress over this situation or any other situation I just breathe and exercise if I can. If something is bothering you, talk about it. Don’t hold things in, stress can wreak havoc on your body.

DEENA KLEEHAMER

AGE 68 JOB Takes care of granddaughters and granddogs DIAGNOSIS Stage 1 breast cancer and mastectomy at age 38, “Got a trick instead of a treat on halloween” October 31, 1987 ADVICE TO NEWLY DIAGNOSED WOMEN You have the love of your family and friends but you don’t have to face breast cancer alone. There are so many support groups out there. SUPPORT GROUP She started a breast cancer support group in 1991 at Floyd Memorial Hospital and led it for 14 years. “When you have women in a support group who can understand what you are sitting and going through, it truly makes a difference. I led the support group for 14 years before handing it over to a friend for another 10 years.”

ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE TO PEOPLE WITH LOVED ONES BATTLING BREAST CANCER Don’t be afraid to hold them, they won’t break. They are still the same person they were before they were diagnosed.

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I made beating cancer my job. I finished that job.

Now it’s time for me to live.

LILLIE PETTIT

AGE 61 JOB Automotive Manufacturing, Mitsuba of Bardstown DIAGNOSIS Triple Negative Invasive Ductal Carcinoma with Lymph Node involvement found at annual mammogram, August 6, 2015 TREATMENTS 23 weeks of Taxol Chemotherapy: once a week for 12 weeks and then every other week for 11 weeks. Followed by a lumpectomy with lymph node removal and 6 weeks of daily radiation. ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE TO PEOPLE WITH LOVED ONES BATTLING BREAST CANCER Someone dealing with this diagnosis has so many things going through their mind and so many emotions, they won’t remember every detail of what the doctors and nurses are saying. Write it down for them. WHAT ARE CHANGES YOU MADE SO YOU COULD HEAL I read many books.

It gave me the knowledge I needed to heal. The book I received from my doctor at Norton Hospital The Breast Cancer Handbook explained every detail of this journey.

From diagnosis, treatments, to healthy eating and healing.

Joan Lundens book Had I Known, I recommend to everyone. HOW DID YOU COPE WITH STRESS/FEAR Prayer and more prayer.

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SARAH LEFFLER

AGE 80 JOB Retired DIAGNOSIS Stage one cancer deep within the breast. June 2004 ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE TO NEWLY DIAGNOSED WOMEN I advise they rely on their on their faith. My surgeon told me that I did well because of a good attitude. HOW YOU DEALT WITH NEGATIVE THOUGHTS I simply prayed about it, and I had a good friend who had already gone through prostate cancer surgery, and he was able to walk me down the road of positivity to keep my faith stronger. I recommend not holding in your feelings; sharing my own was a relief and lessened the burden of the battle.

“A verse of scripture that helped me: Whatever state I am in I have learned to be content.”

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DEBRA ADAMS

“The lightswitch

to everything I fear switched off when enduring this.”

AGE 46 JOB Instructor for Red Cross DIAGNOSIS DCIS Carcinoma In-situ.

I had gone to a general physician. They took blood and happened to do a breast exam, looking at the two lumps I had since I was 12. The results of a biopsy came back positive in February 2016 ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE TO PEOPLE WITH LOVED ONES BATTLING BREAST CANCER Talk to them and be honest. Don’t run away or be afraid to ask questions. It’s better to go through horrible things with friends, who can laugh with you, take you to dinner, help with chores, or sit and watch TV.

SISTER MARY ‘RITA’ JOSEPH JARRELL,

AGE 73 JOB Chaplain of Hosparus Inpatient Center of Louisville, Norton Pavilion on the weekends — Works with Breast cancer patients DIAGNOSED With stage 2 adenocarcinoma at the age of 37 ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE TO NEWLY DIAGNOSED WOMEN My mantra comes from the little engine that could: “I know I can.” Get yourself a mantra.

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MICHELE WELSCHER

AGE 52 JOB Auditor for Mountjoy Chilton and Medley DIAGNOSIS Breast Cancer Stage 0 HOW Detected in routine mammogram yearly, May 2017 TREATMENTS Bilateral mastectomy, due to also living with Cystic Fibrosis, I was already on a specialized diet. BEST THING SOMEONE DID FOR ME This is a tie between my neighbor who hired a housekeeper to help me, and my boss who was fantastic about schedule flexibility.

CHANGES YOU MADE Made a big change with holistic health and taking health classes regarding diet, proper food, positive thinking, exercise, and cognitive thinking. How you think about yourself has a direct influence on your immune system. Had a thyroid problem, and started taking vitamins. I am currently on a heavy regimen of vitamins, strict diet, and regulatory exercises.

HOW I DEALT WITH NEGATIVE THOUGHTS I concentrated on the positives of catching the disease early, along with having a great support system and keeping my outlook cancer free. I also have been able to laugh through it all and keep myself lighthearted.

I try to stay lighthearted with everything and have humor throughout everything ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE TO NEWLY DIAGNOSED WOMEN Surround themselves with support groups and know your body.

I always carry the empathy in my heart, and I don’t know how much longer I have, but I am being happy with each day.

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TAMELA R. COOKE

AGE 52 JOB Human ResourcesEmployee Relations Specialist, Correct Care Solutions DIAGNOSIS Invasive Ductile Carcinoma Stage 1, January 4, 2016 TREATMENT Lumpectomy and radiation treatment ADVICE Don’t let it define who you are! Of course you have to make lifestyle changes.

Live, laugh, and love yourself and the people around you! BEST THING SOMEONE DID FOR ME My daughter wrote me the most endearing note. She is my only child. We both got through this!

I will forever keep that note as a reminder, of how strong I can forever be. CHANGES MADE I started eating right. Which in return helped me lose weight, which was great! I began reading up on things that I needed to remove from my daily food intake that may increase the chances of me getting cancer again.

“I pulled up my ‘Pink’ Big girl panties and began to do what I needed to do to fight this.”

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VICKI FLEITZ

AGE 54 JOB Certified Pharmacy Technician, Kroger in La Grange DIAGNOSIS Stage 2 / Stage 3 Invasive Ductal carcinoma, March 2013 HOW I did a self exam, felt the lump. I was then sent for a mammogram that led to me getting a biopsy. ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE TO PEOPLE WITH LOVED ONES BATTLING BREAST CANCER Be there for them, even if it is just sending a text message, a card, or a phone call.

Sometimes being there is just as simple as listening. I had friends who cooked meals and brought them to me, some friends just came to visit and be there with me. As a patient it was nice to know I wasn’t forgotten when people visited or brought me meals and cards.

It’s a big moral booster to find a card someone had sent me. I had to learn to let people do things for me.

HOW DID THIS CHANGE YOU I used to be just fine sitting in the back and not being the center of attention, but after my experience in fighting cancer, I began to find my voice and my courage. I have been able to help five friends with their battle with cancer. It helps knowing someone who has gone through it and come out ok. Cancer isn’t a death sentence, and I realize I am much stronger than I realized by participating in Derby City Dragons. I am getting stronger mentally and physically and facing my fears.

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Support Organizations for Breast Cancer Here are some of the organizations around the area that offer support for those who have been diagnosed with breast cancer.

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY cancer.org Facebook.com/American Cancer Society Louisville Twitter: @ACSLouisvilleKY

MICHELLE ANDERSON

AGE 42 JOB Registered Nurse, The Brook Hospital Dupont – Still working through Treatment DIAGNOSIS Stage 2 Breast Cancer and 4 Lymph nodes removed HOW First mammogram, February 22, 2017 TREATMENTS Chemo since May 1, 2017 BEST THING SOMEONE DID FOR YOU Whether it’s going out to eat or taking a walk in the park, it’s when someone comes and helps you take your mind off the battle you’re going through. DEAL WITH NEGATIVE THOUGHTS I have a coloring book with swear words in it that calms me down. COPE WITH STRESS/FEAR Stress and fear come together. Fear of what I would look like after the surgery.

Fear of my identity based on the standards placed on women in today’s society. I am choosing to have a hysterectomy to eliminate risks of more cancer.

Purpose We research cancer and its causes to find more answers and better treatments; fight for lifesaving policy changes; provide everything from emotional support to the latest cancer information for those who have been touched by cancer.

What to Expect Timely information about diagnosis, treatment and side effects through our website cancer.org or our 1.800 number (1.800.227.2345), which is answered 24/7/365; the Personal Health Manager toolkit, local support and education programs.

Special Programs We partner with area hotels to secure free and/or reduced nights’ stay of lodging for those patients traveling into the area for treatment.

The Look Good Feel Better program is a workshop for women going through cancer treatment to learn how to handle the physical side effects of treatment.

Road to Recovery is a transportation service for patients. Volunteers provide their time and vehicles to deliver patients to treatment throughout Louisville. Reach to Recovery is a mentormentee program pairing patients undergoing cancer treatment with a survivor.

How You Can Help

Cancer makes you feel like your entire life has been out of control.

Become a volunteer, make a tax-deductible donation, or participate in a fundraising event to help us save lives.

BAPTIST HEALTH CANCER CARE AT FLOYD 2210 Green Valley Road New Albany, Indiana Facebook.com/

BaptistFloyd Twitter: @BaptistFloyd

What to Expect We provide state-of-the-art services and equipment; a multidisciplinary team approach to coordinate the best available treatment options; information about ongoing cancer clinical trials and new treatment options.

Special Programs Free, weekly Pink Ribbon Pilates classes to breast surgery patients. Cancer patients and their caregivers have the opportunity for free massage therapy services at the Center.

Baptist Health Cancer Care at Floyd also has a High Risk Breast clinic that councils and provides testing for patients and families to discover their genetic risk for developing certain types of cancers including breast and tips for prevention.

Support groups specifically for those battling breast cancer, at risk for developing breast cancer and newly diagnosed.

How You Can Help

Donations can be made to the Floyd Memorial Foundation and directed to the Cancer Center at FloydFoundation.org or 812.949.5803.

GILDA’S CLUB LOUISVILLE 633 Baxter Avenue 502.583.0075 Facebook.com/ GildasClubLouisville Twitter: @GildasClubLou IG: gildasclublouisville Purpose To provide free social and emotional support to men, women, and children in our community living with cancer — any type of cancer.

What to Expect Support, both from fellow people living with cancer and from trained staff

(licensed mental health professionals). With a new cancer diagnosis comes an overwhelming amount of information and the necessity of making important treatment decisions.

Open to Options is an evidence-based support that helps you think through the important initial conversations you will have with your oncologist and treatment team.

First Steps Attend a Welcome 101 meeting held five times a month at various days and times.

Then come back for a oneto-one meeting with one of our licensed mental health professionals to create a program of support that best fits your needs.

Special Programs

Provides support for the whole family, not just the person living with cancer.

We are the only long-term support for children.

How You Can Help

Donating money, volunteering, referring people to our program, sharing about us with friends and family members.

HOPE SCARVES Facebook.com/ hopescarves Twitter: @hopescarves IG: Hopescarves

Mission Hope Scarves started in 2012 with the mission of sharing scarves, stories and hope with people facing cancer.

We have sent over 7,000 scarves to different states and over 16 countries.

What to Expect Anyone going through treatment can request a scarf at no cost. Each scarf comes wrapped with instructions on how to wrap the scarf, but also a story of the individual the scarf came from.

First Steps A patient can go to hopescarves.org or >>> page 12

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<<< page 10 they can go to their place of treatment in Louisville and find out about our Hope Scarves program. Patients can get them for free at their doctors office.

Finding Support We have a gift scarf program, where someone can send a hope scarf to someone they know facing cancer.

How You Can Help People can donate scarves, and they can hold a scarf drive.

We will take them from nonsurvivors.

We also have a need for volunteers and financial gifts.

TWISTED PINK Twistedpink.org Facebook.com/twistedpink.org Twitter: @curetwistedpink IG: twistedpinkorg

Purpose To accelerate outcomes of research to reach the patient quicker.

Most people have never heard of Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC). MBC is breast cancer that has spread beyond the breast to other organs. Breast cancer most commonly spreads to the brain, bone, liver or lungs. MBC is stage IV breast cancer and there is no cure.

Distinguishing Factor Twisted Pink offers hope to all breast cancer patients with our commitment to fund research and to our continued fight to accelerate the pace of research and collaboration within cancer institutions. Research is 100% of what we do!

How You Can Help Twisted Pink is a volunteer-driven organization. We encourage breast cancer survivors to join our movement by becoming an ambassador for the organization.

ROBIN KENNEDY

AGE: 54 JOB: Administrative Coordinator, Metro Government DIAGNOSIS: Breast Cancer Stage 1, May 2012 HOW: Detected in routine mammogram yearly TREATMENTS: Two Lumpectomies in May of 2012 and again in June 2012; July a double mastectomy. Insurance covered it, only on right side.

August TRAM Flap Bilateral Reconstruct. BEST THING SOMEONE DID FOR ME: They gave me my space when I needed to accept what I was going through and didn’t overwhelm me with their experiences or traumatic events.

SUPPORT GROUPS: Gilda, Norton’s Pink Pilates exercise class, Kentucky African American Association of Cancer through James Brown. Friends for Hope.

BEST THING SHE DID FOR HERSELF: Made myself volunteer with support groups, and I surrounded myself with those who had walked in my shoes where we raised each other up.

UOFL BROWN CANCER CENTER FACEBOOK.COM/UOFLBROWNCANCERCENTER/ TWITTER: @UOFLBCC IG: @UOFLBCC

Purpose To provide the latest type of cancer treatments, state-of-theart multidisciplinary care and, as an academic medical center at the forefront of medical research, access to innovative clinical trials.

What to Expect A newly-diagnosed breast cancer patient can expect personalized care from our multidisciplinary breast care team.

Our team of academic subspecialists meet weekly to discuss each case before treatment begins.

First Steps Call 502.562.4673 to set up an appointment. Next-day appointments may be available to newly-diagnosed patients.

Special Programs HER Breast Cancer Program that provides support to young women with breast cancer.

Also multiple support groups, art therapy, massage therapy, a program for children, massage, Reiki therapy.

How You Can Help Volunteer! To learn more about volunteer opportunities visit uoflhospital.org/volunteerinformation.

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PINK

WOMAN

It’s a Celebration of Life!

These breast cancer survivors prove strength, fortitude, and courage can keep you moving forward no matter how challenging the situation. For our fifth annual Pink Woman photo 14

shoot, we’re celebrating them and their ability to keep moving forward.

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Photo Melissa Donald Location Oxmoor Center

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