Survivor Spotlight: Kathleen's Story

Meet Kathleen. Kathleen, resident of Waukesha County, was not getting annual mammograms until she got a new job at Target that provided her with health insurance. Shortly after, she found a lump above her breast bone and went in for a mammogram. The hospital sent her a letter saying they found something on her mammogram and she had to come back in for a second examination. The doctor informed her she had cancer in 2011 at the age of 52. With no family history of the disease, Kathleen was shocked. “It’s like my whole life fell right in front of me.”

She struggled to share the news with her family, knowing she would be unable to pay for the unavoidable expenses of breast cancer treatment. After a biopsy, Kathleen went in for six sessions of chemotherapy. In order to support herself, Kathleen had to go back to work on Monday, following Friday chemotherapy sessions. To cope, she took advantage of many programs in the Milwaukee community: a Nurse Navigator, Community Cares, and Susan G. Komen. Komen provided Kathleen with funding for transportation, co-pays, and deductibles. 

In October 2012, Kathleen had lumpectomy surgery, followed by radiation. Her doctors found lung cancer. She spent more time in the hospital, underwent more surgery, and had to take off work for more than a month. Her body was at the point of giving up during much of this time, and she almost lost her life – but didn’t stop fighting.

She completed her radiation sessions for breast cancer in March 2012, and she believes she is cancer free today. Through all of this, her biggest challenge was thinking positive, and “knowing there’s a reason I’m still here.” She hopes that people will see the importance of breast self-exams and mammograms. Also, she recognizes the importance of a supportive network during cancer treatment and is thankful for her mother, daughter, siblings, and co-workers who have supported her during the past few years.

Survivor Spotlight: Janet's Story

Meet Janet. In 1994, at the age of 37, while working full-time as a dental receptionist and living in Milwaukee County, Janet was diagnosed with breast cancer. With a positive attitude and a goal to live, she underwent a lumpectomy and radiation, and was soon cancer-free. From that point on, Janet was sure to receive an annual mammogram.

 In 2009, she felt there was something wrong with her body and went for a mammogram and ultrasound. The doctor said she was cancer-free and he would see her in a year. Months went by and she continued to feel uneasy about her health, so she changed facilities. There, at her next annual mammogram appointment, she learned she was misdiagnosed in 2009 and was diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time in 2010. Janet struggled more hearing this for the second time, but soon realized she didn’t want to feel sorry for herself. She decided to undergo a mastectomy. During chemotherapy, Janet’s nurses informed her of Susan G. Komen. Komen provided her with funding to pay for her deductibles.

In 2011 Janet had painful plastic surgery, but is now cancer-free and has regular consultations. “Realistically you never forget about it, but you can’t dwell on the negative.” Janet said the hardest part of breast cancer was the pain of chemotherapy and losing her hair. She especially struggled in 2010 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time. Janet encourages those struggling with the disease to “be positive, be strong and don’t let cancer beat you.”

Survivor Spotlight: Mari's Story

Meet Mari. Mari had not done a thorough breast self-exam for some time due to her busy scheduling, working for her family’s business and taking care of her two-year-old grandson. In 2010 on a Labor Day weekend mini-vacation, she felt a hard lump in her right breast. She contacted her doctor to schedule a mammogram and ultrasound, but the lump did not show up in either of the exams. Her doctor told her to come back in six months, but she decided to get a second opinion and was told to schedule an MRI. 

The MRI found a six centimeter mass on her right breast. The biopsies confirmed cancer. The doctor concluded that if she had waited six months like she was told to do instead of a seeking a second opinion, she would have passed away within three months. 

Mari’s form of cancer is known as aggressive lobular which can be described as sheets that are too thin to show up on mammograms or ultrasounds, versus other types of cancer that form as “balls.” The doctor found Mari was a candidate for reconstruction and decided she would need chemotherapy. When it was time for her surgery, Mari’s tumor had grown to nine cm and had spread to her lymph nodes. 

After six grueling hours, her right breast and 25 lymph nodes were extracted. Chemotherapy was her next battle; the fifth treatment took a huge toll on her body, triggering her immune system to weaken, dehydrating her and causing her to go to the hospital daily for fluids. Mari had faced numerous other struggles from cellulitis, pneumonia, and lymphedema. Her most recent struggle is due to her reconstructive surgery, known as the flap method, in which her seam burst underneath her arm causing fluid to continuously discharge. She is currently receiving hyperbaric chamber treatments which will help to build blood vessels and transform the radiated tissue to normal tissue.

“It’s terrible; it’s awful; it’s something I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy, but there is good that came out of it,” said Mari. Her family has been her biggest support system both physically and emotionally. Susan G. Komen has also been an integral part of Mari’s journey.

The time commitment and harsh side effects from chemotherapy and radiation caused Mari to stop working. Mari was introduced to the Southeast Wisconsin Affiliate through a Wheaton Franciscan social worker, who connected her with Kohl’s Southeast Wisconsin Breast Health Assistance Fund. The organization provided her with a glove and sleeve to help her with her lymphedema. Komen also provided funding to pay for prescriptions and her abdominal pad for her underarm where the seam burst. She has also received encouragement through Facebook, Yahoo Groups, and many friends. She now spends her time outside of treatment knitting hats for kids with cancer. Through Mari’s story she hopes others can learn the importance of regular breast self-exams beginning at an early age.

Survivor Spotlight: Linda's Story

In 2009, Linda found a lump through a self-breast exam. She was immediately in denial, believing that the lump would soon go away. She instead focused on her daughter’s pregnancy and stowed the thoughts of the lump in the back of her mind. After months of hoping the lump would go away, she decided to see her doctor. She was diagnosed with cancer after having her first mammogram at 60-years-old. Linda was stage 3- with 38 lymph nodes, 8 being cancerous. As the side effects took over her body, Linda worked hard to fight them off, which caused her to be hospitalized for nine days. 

Because of her loss of strength, Linda was unable to work, which led her to struggle financially. Through the support of her friends, many fundraisers, and Susan G. Komen, Linda was provided with the services to help her stay in her home. She stated, “I was never a sickly person so this was all new to me” regarding the continuous support she was receiving, from people she referred to as her angels. Linda received grants through local soccer teams, Antonio Freeman of the Green Bay Packers, and Channel 6’s Pay it Forward program.

Today, Linda still suffers from the side effects including neuropathy in her hands and feet, chemo brain, and lymphedema in her right arm. Despite all of the struggles and negativity that comes with the terrible disease, Linda says “my life today is better for going through this cancer. I was given so much joy through all of this and I have learned how to give back to others.” Her strength, courage, and caring abilities are incredible examples of the qualities the women of Susan G. Komen possess.

Joe and Jennifer Bartolotta named 2012 Honorary Race Chairs

In 1993, Joe Bartolotta and his brother Paul opened the first of the Bartolotta restaurants in the Milwaukee area. Now, the Bartolottas have five award-winning, fine-dining restaurants, five casual restaurants and are the exclusive catering company for Pier Wisconsin, The Grain Exchange and Boerner Botanical Gardens. Not only are these restaurants known for exceptional cuisine and classic atmospheres, but also for the people behind-the scenes, specifically Joe and Jennifer Bartolotta.

"I do not know a person that has not been affected by breast cancer.” ~ Jennifer Bartolotta, 2012 Southeast Wisconsin Honorary Race Chair.

Joe and Jennifer not only promote the “Bartolotta Experience” in each of their restaurants, but also through their charitable arm, Care-A-Lottas. These two philanthropists strongly believe in serving others and actively support many local organizations, including Susan G. Komen Southeast Wisconsin, an organization that supports a cause near and dear to them - a family history of breast cancer.

As an effort to raise funds for the fight against breast cancer, The Bartalotta's created a Care-A-Lottas team for Race for the Cure. Joe and Jennifer’s team was the fourth largest team in 2011 with 204 members, and the third largest fundraising team raising more than $24,000 for the cause. Jennifer and Joe defer the credit for their teams’ efforts to their employees, family, and friends. Their restaurants each get very involved with competitions in fundraising and recruitment and it really is a huge team effort.

The Bartolotta’s are a prime example of how together; we can create a world without breast cancer.

Cortnee Vas fights to Make a Cure Happen

Each year, Komen’s national series partner, New Balance honors one survivor who shows extraordinary strength and determination to make a difference in the fight against breast cancer. This year’s Southeast Wisconsin Honorary Team New Balance member is Cortnee Vas.

At only 27-years-old, with no family history of breast cancer, Cortnee found a lump in her breast. With a medical background as a Walgreen’s pharmacist, she knew the importance of an early diagnosis for a better prognosis. Because of her young age, many doctors would not take a deeper look at the lump, but with persistence she eventually found a general surgeon who confirmed her fears.

Cortnee had cancer. Being young made it difficult for doctors to differentiate between healthy and cancerous tissue. Because of this, they were unable to get clean margins with a lumpectomy, which led Cortnee to opt for a double mastectomy with reconstruction.

During her diagnose, treatment and recovery, Cortnee found hope in the Susan G. Komen organization with the belief that strength and courage comes from the love and support of family and friends. To help raise funds to end this disease and to thank her supporters, Cortnee formed a Walgreens team with co-workers for the Race for the Cure.

Cortnee and the Walgreens team continue to support prevention and early detection efforts as a national series sponsor of the Race for the Cure® and through their Way to Well Commitment.™

"I will do everything in my power to end breast cancer forever." ~ Cortnee Vas, 2012 Southeast Wisconsin HTNB