Breast Cancer – Page 10

Breast Cancer Krystal Ruby – Bilateral Mastectomy with DEIP Flap Reconstruction

November 7, 2017 KimHarms

Krystal and her husband Mike. Krystal and I live in the same community and have mutual friends, but have only met in person once in passing at a school event. (Maybe someday we can find the time to grab a coffee and talk about our shared experience.) She has graciously taken the time to tell her story, and you will not regret taking a few minutes to read it. Name: Krystal Ruby Family: Husband Mike, Three Children – Tanner -9, Sadie-7, Dayton-5 Occupation: Industrial Hygienist for the State of Iowa Hobbies/Interests: My number one hobby is…

Breast Cancer Breast Reconstruction Thoughts – Amber Schoenauer – Single Mastectomy

October 31, 2017 KimHarms 1Comment

Welcome to Breast Reconstruction Thoughts where I feature women who have undergone a single or bilateral mastectomy. Most have also had breast reconstruction, but some have not. Some entered this world through cancer, others due to testing positive for the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation which highly increases their chances of a future cancer diagnosis. I hope their words bring insight and encouragement. Amber and I had a sleepover when I was in Chicago for a writer’s conference this summer. 🙂 Amber and I grew up together. She’s my cousin and lived just two blocks away…

Breast Cancer Metastatic Breast Cancer Research

October 26, 2017 KimHarms

Pink is everywhere this month. From the flags the refs throw at my 4th grader’s football games to the shoes NBA players wear to super cool basketball’s like the one Owen’s friends gave him after my diagnosis. I am thankful for Nancy Brinker, who started the Susan G. Komen Foundation after her only sister died of breast cancer. It’s because of her that we see pink all over the place in October. Also because of her, a lot of money has made its way to breast cancer research. I have peace in knowing that 99% of women who find their…

Breast Cancer Breast Reconstruction Thoughts – Valerie McClure – “Going Flat” after Mastectomy

October 24, 2017 KimHarms

Welcome to Breast Reconstruction Thoughts where I feature women who have undergone a single or bilateral mastectomy. Most have also had breast reconstruction, but some have not. Some entered this world through cancer, others due to testing positive for the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation which highly increases their chances of a future cancer diagnosis. I hope their words bring insight and encouragement. I don’t know Valerie personally, but was introduced to her online through my dear friend, Rachel. When you have your breasts removed, it’s like joining a club you didn’t ask to be in. But you get connected…

Breast Cancer How A Bunch of Teenage Boys Unexpectedly Cured My Sadness

October 19, 2017 KimHarms 4Comment

I seldom fear cancer will come back. I’ve read the stats, and I know that because I found my tumor early, my chances of another bout with it are very slim. And aside from the fact that I tend to write about cancerish things a lot, it’s a rare day that cancer thoughts overwhelm me. But every once in a while I’m caught completely off guard by deep despairing sadness or unrelenting unsubstantiated fear. Monday was one of those days. I found myself baking (what? I don’t bake) and dripping tears in the cookie dough while Tim McGraw sang…