Kate’s Story

Hi there! If you’re reading this bio, you’ve likely been diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer. I’m so sorry you’re joining this club you never signed up for. It’s not a club I’d wish on anyone. However, it is a club full of amazing and resilient women. If you’ll read it, I’d like to share my story with you to give you hope. Actually, a fellow survivor once told me it’s not a “story” or a “fight” or a “journey.” It’s a “hostage situation.” That still makes me laugh. So let me share my hostage situation experience with you. Just like in every experience, if you look hard enough, there’s good in it.

Let’s start with the crap before we get to the good, because well, cancer is crap: I was diagnosed January 1st, 2020 with stage 2 triple negative, BRCA1+ breast cancer, wait for it, at 39 weeks pregnant and at the beginning of the covid pandemic. I was induced January 6th, port placed 5 days later, chemo started 1 week later. The following year was full of a lot of fear, fatigue, and exhaustion. I had 6 months of aggressive chemotherapy which robbed me of too many hours with my daughter and often the ability to independently care for her. I had two hospitalizations which felt like rock bottom. I was scared to die of covid when it was so unknown and my immune system was essentially gone. Actually, I was scared to die in general. Then, I had a double mastectomy with reconstruction and a salpingectomy (due to my BRCA1+ gene). Cancer was my whole life for a whole year. 

Hang in there… because…. believe it or not, my life was worked towards good. I was blessed with an amazing medical team. My husband was my rock. My family became closer as they rallied around me. My friends, co-workers, and church helped me with meals and childcare as needed. I was inspired by the kindness of others and have pledged to give back. My faith was tested and came out stronger. My husband gained faith through the process. My daughter brought me joy, motivation, distraction, and purpose. Other survivors mentored me. I learned to value mental health professionals. My new boobs are great because they’re not trying to kill me (and I think they look fine too). The list goes on.

Now, I am cancer free. Yes, I’m closely monitored which can get annoying, but cancer is very much in the rear view and my daughter, family, friends, and purpose are in view. My advice is to look for the good, ask for specific help from loved ones and organizations like the TaTa sisterhood, rest, and keep going until it’s in your rear view too. If you’re a young mom, I’m happy to connect with you.

-Kate Schneider