​by CHRISTINE GRIMMET

It was March 29, 2021, I learned I had a pretty aggressive form of breast cancer. As a mother to four beautiful children, my oldest being a senior at the time, our lives were busy preparing for graduation and all that comes with this stage of life. My life was too busy to have anything wrong. I did not have time to be sick, let alone cancer.

My youngest daughter, age three at the time, was one of those children that enjoyed breast feeding. I was proud that I nursed her to this age but was ready to end this journey. I would guess it was one month later that I had noticed a lump in my left breast. I remember telling my husband and his immediate response was I had better get that checked. I thought it was just a blocked milk duct and it would go away.

Weeks passed and I felt this lump was turning into a mass and was becoming painful. I continued to ignore this situation until one Sunday night I awoke from my sleep with intense pain. I decided right then that God was telling me enough is enough. While in the exam room, I received a phone call from the radiologist stating they wanted to proceed with biopsies. I worked in the clinic and returned to work remembering that long walk back to my office. That was a long day. Emotions were high but things needed to remain normal. I did not want my children to know that anything was going on. I did not want them to worry.

March 29, 2021, day I was to get a phone call regarding my biopsies. Not to be alone, I pulled a close friend from a patient’s room. We went with the provider into her closed office, placed my phone on speaker, and heard those words, “I am sorry, but you have cancer.” Honestly, I am not sure how much more I absorbed after hearing this. Tears were shed at work with my closest colleagues. I called my husband who
came to pick me up. Once I got into that car, I knew I had to be strong for my baby girl who was so excited to see me with her beautiful smile.

What came next, I would say, was probably the hardest step. I called my mother and siblings whom I had not seen for the longest time due to COVID to tell them. Then we had to sit our four wonderful children down to tell them that their mother had cancer. I couldn’t bear to tell
them the news, but my husband stood so strong as he told them we are all in this together.

I went for a PET scan and MRI of the breast shortly after this and an initial visit with the oncologist the same day as the PET scan. I had learned that I was triple positive, and the largest tumor was 11 centimeters. There was lymph node involvement, subpectoral and subclavicular as well as the axilla area. My oncologist was very good. He looked at me and asked, "Have you cried?” I responded, well
yeah. He looked at me and said you haven't cried enough. I was told to go home and cry until I couldn't cry anymore. And then we would fight.

I talked to God so much. More so than any other time in my life. I never asked him why. I just always felt I was glad it was me rather than anyone else. I was terrified to learn that I would need to start chemotherapy soon. I had port placement and chemo started the very next day. I knew this was it. I had to fight like heck!

With chemo comes hair loss. I was taking a bath and my youngest was sitting near the bathtub. She was playing with her dolls. She reached over to brush my hair and a large amount of hair came out of my head. At three years old she was so sorry. This broke my heart.

As chemotherapy progressed it took everything out of me. Not just physically but mentally as well. If it wasn't for my Faith, I am not sure I could have made it through. My work family was very supportive, great about putting together meal trains, and raising money to help with the financial strain of decreased work hours. My daughter's high school softball team supported me by making t-shirts that read "Team Christy" and wearing them. As well as my work family. I was gifted a journal and daily devotion book. It was very healing to write daily and read a passage daily. There was so much love and kindness all around. My family and I were so grateful.

I completed six rounds of chemotherapy (TCHP) and next was bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction. From the pathology report I learned that I had a mild response to chemo. My oncology team had to discuss the next plan of action. It was decided to start another therapy called Kadcyla which started four weeks after surgery. I completed a total of 33 rounds of radiation.

I feel I was picked to go through this journey so that I can help others. I have done numerous patient teaching in my role of being a medical assistant with patients. I have been asked to come into other provider's exam rooms to speak with newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. This has been positive healing for me.

I have been blessed by so many - family, friends, and co-workers. The Beyond Pink TEAM provided financial support as well as scarves, hats, pillows. I was also blessed by Can Do Cancer who sent a gift box with several gift cards for meals and gas. I was also assigned a cancer buddy who has kept in contact with me for support. The Pink Tractor Foundation was very generous with financial support as well as Check the Girls.

I had stage 3B triple invasive ductal breast cancer. I am now a survivor. I was chosen to throw out the first pitch at the local Waterloo Bucks baseball game for the Pink Out Night which raised money for the Beyond Pink TEAM. It was a great honor and a wonderful
memory.

Hope is stronger than fear. I am a stronger, better person. I have learned all things are possible through trust in the Lord. Take one day at a time
and always remain positive.

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.