Wellness

"I told myself to not look at the 'why?' and the 'what if?'."Name: Robin KennedyAge: 54Job: Administrative Coordinator, Metro GovernmentDiagnosis: Breast cancer stage 1, May 2012How She Found Out: Detected in routine mammogramTreatments: Two lumpectomies in may of 2012 and again in June 2012, a double mastectomy in July. TRAM flap bilateral reconstruct in August .Support Groups: Gilda's Club Louisville, Norton’s Pink Pilates exercise class, Kentucky African Americans Against 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 [...]

"Cancer makes you feel like your entire life has been out of control." Name: Michelle AndersonAge: 42Job: Registered Nurse at The Brook Hospital - DupontDiagnosis: Stage 2 breast cancer due to four lymph nodes removedHow She Found Out: First mammogram, February 22, 2017Treatments: Chemo since May 1, 2017How She Deals With Negative Thoughts: I have a coloring book with swear words in it that calms me down.How She Copes 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 [...]

"People gripe about their birthdays, but each one is a gift from God, and I am so happy to be here to celebrate another year." Name: Deena KleehamerAge: 68Job: Takes care of granddaughters and granddogsDiagnosis: Stage 1 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: Deena started a breast cancer support group in 1991 at Floyd Memorial Hospital and [...]

"A verse of scripture that helped me: 'Whatever state I am in I have learned to be content.'" Name: Sarah LefflerAge: 80Job: RetiredDiagnosis: Stage one cancer deep within the breast, June 2004Advice You Would Give To Newly Diagnosed Women: I advise they rely on their on their faith, and my surgeon told me that I got a long so well because of a good attitude.How She Dealt With Negative Thoughts: I simply prayed about it, and I had a good friend that had already gone through prostate cancer surgery and he was able to walk me down the road [...]

"Cancer isn’t a death sentence."Name: Vicki FleitzAge: 54Job: Certified Pharmacy Technician at La Grange KrogerDiagnosis: Stage 2 / Stage 3 invasive ductal carcinoma, March 2013How She Found Out: I did a self-exam, felt the lump where I was then sent for a mammogram that led to me getting a biopsy.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 [...]

"Before I would get stressed over the smallest things and now realize it is not worth it. Just take it for what it is and move on."Name: Kimberly ZinkAge: 44Job: UPS Administrative where I move aircraft parts logistically and coach 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 reconstructionHow Did you Cope With Stress/Fear: When I would stress over this situation or any other situation I just breathe and exercise if I can. [...]