October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month so we’re shining the spotlight on local survivors all month long. Kathleen Lappin is a survivor from Machesney Park. Read her story below.

1. When were you diagnosed and at what age?

I was Diagnosed October 26, 2018, my husband’s birthday and I was 40.

2. What stage were you diagnosed with?

I was stage 1 grade 3 triple negative invasive ductal carcinoma, grade 3 meaning it was aggressive and faster growing. From October to December it doubled in size.

3. How was the cancer initially detected? (i.e. through a BSE, a CBE or an annual mammogram).

Well I had pain for 6 or so months, it wouldn’t go away. I had no lump and nothing showed in mammogram. I had an ultrasound that found it and then a biopsy the following week.

4. How did you feel when you first received the news?

I already had a bad feeling and just kinda knew already. I could tell something wasn’t quite right. I was initially scared, but saw how my kids reacted and told them, I got this.

5. Is there a family history of breast cancer?

No family history, I was the first in family. Genetic testing proved not to be hereditary.

6. Did you have a support network? If not, how did you overcome it or find it?

I had soooo many people reach out. I also had a friend who was diagnosed months before and ended up having her cancer come back in her scar tissue. She then ended up with same treatment I was undergoing. We helped each other through it. It was really good to talk to someone who exactly understood how you were feeling.

7. Tell us about your treatment process.

I had a double mastectomy. I then had a port placed for weekly blood draws and chemo every 3 weeks. The girls at Mercy Cancer Center were awesome!!

8. Did you face any obstacles during your treatment process? If so, how did you overcome these obstacles?

Well, I had horrible experience after surgery. I won’t go into details, I don’t want to scare anyone going through this. One obstacle was not healing as fast as I should’ve, which postponed treatment. After a few months I had to seek a new Surgeon as the first one, basically did a horrible job. I had to find a new Surgeon who had to redo my reconstruction. I also had a uncommon severe reaction to lidocaine and ended up staying a couple nights.

9. How long have you been in remission or cancer free?

I will hit 3 years December 18th!

10. What message would you like to provide women in the community?

If you are going through this horrible journey, don’t listen to other peoples stories. You will have your own. And to anyone who hasn’t gone through it, please don’t tell a cancer fighter, a story about how your family member died of breast cancer.

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