Written by, Joy Thorson

​I was happy to write a bit about my breast cancer journey, but I wasn’t sure what to include since it’s been a very long journey. So, I decided to focus on the most recent chapter, but I thought I should give you a bit of background first.

In October 1999 I was diagnosed with HER2-negative breast cancer. Within 3 days I had a single modified radical mastectomy and because of lymph node involvement I also had chemotherapy, radiation, followed by medication and no plan for reconstruction. In 2004, I was feeling good and decided to consider reconstruction. I hadn’t retained any extra skin at the time of my mastectomy, so I needed an “expander” implanted to encourage that skin to expand enough for the implant. This was a very difficult and painful process because that radiated skin did not want to expand. Then I received a silicone implant.

In March 2017 after multiple tests, I was given the news that I had metastatic breast cancer in a rib and a vertebra…certainly NOT what I expected to hear. I was devastated. After all these years that darn cancer decided to show up again!!!

As you know, Metastatic Breast Cancer is not curable and is considered Stage 4. In June of 2017, I began taking Kisqali, a CDK-inhibitor drug, that I take every day for 3 weeks, then get a week off and I would need to take this for the rest of my life. It seems to be doing its job keeping my cancer at bay as the last 5 PET scans (I have them twice a year) have basically been clear! Hallelujah!

Other than being a VERY expensive drug I am tolerating it very well. I was thrilled to be the recipient of BPT grant funds one year which helped to cover a couple of months of my Kisqali prescription. It is very hard for me to ask for help, but I was treated with great respect, kindness, and care from the BPT. Their scholarship program for financial assistance is a wonderful part of the BPT!

The past couple of years I have been experiencing extreme fatigue for unknown reasons. I’ve had blood tests and I learned that I am not anemic, my thyroid is under control, I do not have Lyme disease or lupus. The doctor told me I have “chronic fatigue”. It’s difficult to accept as I love being active and doing more than 1 or 2 things a day! One day I happened to watch a documentary about hip replacements and issues with the metal used causing cognitive challenges. I haven’t had a hip replacement, but it did cause me to start looking at complications caused by breast implants. I read more about Breast Implant Illness (BII) and learned that the top symptom is “chronic fatigue.” I began to research reliable websites and read about other symptoms, many of which I’m experiencing…hair loss, changes in skin, dry eyes, bone & joint pain, on and on. It was time to take the next step and speak with a breast surgeon about having the implant removed.

November of last year I met with Dr McMahon who then referred me to a plastic surgeon for further consultation. I saw Dr Barnard and he agreed that the implant was causing a lot of issues. While neither surgeon would say my symptoms would go away if I had the implant removed, I was confident that my quality of life would improve with it out of my body. I was also tired of trying to make my breasts be similar in size/shape and always worrying about breast cancer recurring, so I decided to have a mastectomy of the remaining breast.

On April 28, 2022, Dr Barnard and his team removed the breast implant, its capsule, and as much scar tissue as possible; then Dr McMahon and his team performed the mastectomy. I was excited and anxious at the same time! Now that I am about 3 months out from that surgery, I know it was absolutely the right decision for me. My quality of life has improved incredibly. My energy is returning, my pain and range of motion is improving with Physical Therapy (I believe everyone having surgery would benefit from PT), my hair stopped falling out, I feel like myself again! I am back to yoga and Zumba and my attitude regarding a healthy lifestyle has returned!

The most important “take-away” I want you to consider is that we must be our own advocate for ourselves and our bodies. You are the only one who really knows your body and when something doesn’t feel right, doesn’t make sense, or you don’t understand, ask questions! And do your research. Of course, it’s important to use reliable sources but gather as much information you can and ask questions. If I hadn’t pursued more information about breast implants and their complications, I would still be dealing with chronic fatigue and all the other health issues. Being advocates for our own health journey is a vital part of living each day to its fullest!

​I love life, I love my family, I love hearing each of your stories. I wish you all the very best in your journey and I hope you won’t be afraid to ask questions.

Written by Kim Kockler
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​In April of 2020, my husband and I welcomed baby #2 into our family. Rylan joined big brother Gavin at home. Fortunately or unfortunately, however you look at it, Rylan is the reason I was diagnosed with breast cancer.  Just four short months after birth, I was having severe pain and felt a lump in my right breast. I thought for sure it was a clogged milk duct, so I tried all the methods to find relief. Nothing seemed to work so I went to my doctor for some help. Little did I know, that “clogged milk duct” would turn out to be breast cancer.

I was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma(IDC). I was also triple negative.  The week of diagnosis was a whirlwind. I’m a teacher. It was the start of a new school year. We were in the mist of the Covid-19 pandemic. Teachers were told to be very flexible because rules/ regulations were changing daily. I went to my initial visit with my oncologist. Due to my compromised immune system while on chemo and the unknown of the coronavirus, my team of doctors made the suggestions of taking a medical leave of absence for the school year.

Only a few days into the school year, I was going to be leaving my students to begin fighting my battle with cancer. My medical team decided that I would do chemotherapy first and then have surgery to remove any remains of the tumor. Fortunately for me, my cancer had not spread and was contained to my right breast.  I did 20 rounds of chemo from  September 2020 to  February 2021.

In February, I made the decision to have a double mastectomy, with reconstruction. Mastectomy recovery was rough. It was painful. I also had two boys at home that I wasn’t able to interact with because of weight restrictions and just the fear of them hitting my chest.  In July of 2021, I was able to have my expanders taken out and my breast implants put in. That surgery was a breeze compared to the mastectomy surgery. The recovery was much easier. 

Five weeks after surgery, I started back to work for the 2021-2022 school year. I was determined to go back to work at the start of the year. Physically, I was ready. I wasn’t at my full strength, but anything I needed to do as a teacher, I could handle. However, looking back I was mentally not ready to be back to work.

The first semester was tough. I cried a lot. My body had changed a lot in the past year and I hadn’t fully realized that. I was under a lot of stress for a lot of different reasons. I was able to get some medical help, and second semester went much smoother. 

​As I write this reflection, I am a year and a half cancer free. It is a fantastic feeling! Instead of spending the summer recovering from surgeries, this year, I am spending quality time with my 5- and 2-year old. We are keeping busy with the typical summer activities, but I am also taking all the snuggles, hugs and kisses I can get, since I couldn’t experience them last year.