Karen's Story: How I Got Radical About Living
Karen Y. Hall is a Breastcancer.org community member in Dolton, Illinois, USA.
My name is Karen and I am a two-time breast cancer survivor, mother, caregiver, advocate, cancer care ministry leader, breast cancer community navigator, and volunteer. My breast cancer journey started in 2006 when diagnosed with stage 0 breast cancer. It was detected through an annual mammogram.
A cancer diagnosis was the furthest thing from my mind. I don’t have any family members diagnosed with cancer. I’ve since learned, there are more people like me than there are with a family history. When diagnosed, I was in a great relationship, had a good family life, hobbies, vacations, while moving up the corporate ladder, I didn’t have time for cancer. I decided that I was going to beat it. I trusted and cooperated with the doctors. I became my own advocate by educating myself on the disease. I asked questions, stayed positive and upbeat even during the challenging times.
I underwent a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery then put on a five-year treatment called tamoxifen for hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. I tried joining a support group but decided, “I’m not like these people, they look like they’re really sick.” Well, that statement came back to bite me.
At my five-year anniversary, I celebrated by participating in a cancer walk. Cancer was no longer at the forefront of my life, and I thought, “Life is great!”
Eight years after the initial cancer diagnosis, I felt a small bump on the same side as the mastectomy. I started asking the medical team why this bump appeared to be growing. I went to my PCP which referred me to the plastic surgeon which referred me to Elaine, my oncology nurse. Elaine called me immediately after leaving the plastic surgeon’s office and told me to come in the hospital the next day for an ultrasound. Even while going through all the required testing, I never thought in a million years it was cancer. When the surgeon informed me, I heard myself screaming on the inside, “What?! Not cancer again!”
This time the cancer diagnosis was an aggressive tumor, and the treatment plan was completely different. You would think since this was the second time around it would be a breeze. The second time -- my life was turned upside down. Along with battling this traumatizing treatment, I lost my soulmate, finances, friends, employment, and self-esteem. I desperately needed support to help me find a “new normal.”
I wanted to live, so I wiped my tears, faced the situation head-on, and got radical about living instead of consumed with dying. I did the work. I prepared my house and food before scheduled chemotherapy treatments so I could rest comfortably while dealing with the side effects. While at home, I needed to do something to entertain myself, so I made a wig. When going to the infusion center and radiation, I would dress up and put on my makeup, take spiritual and affirmative music and reading. I joined a support group and began talking with a therapist.
No matter what my physical body was looking like, I kept affirming, "I will live." I stayed positive, upbeat, and determined to beat this devastating disease again. I am a living, breathing example of when life throws you lemons, you shake it up and make lemonade.
Throughout my healing journey, my vision, purpose and mission helped to design an organization to support cancer patients and survivors. As Founder of Cancer Support Team, Inc., we provide free cancer support services and address health disparities in under-resourced communities through educational information, charitable purposes, guidance and support.
