My name is Kristin, a mother of a beautiful daughter. I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 38. Throughout my treatments, I have stayed strong and positive with the help of my family and friends. While undergoing chemotherapy treatments at North Kansas City Hospital, I meet Monika, the clinical pharmacist on the oncology unit.    Not only did she help me thru the treatments but she also introduced me to the Jennifer Ireland Foundation. Being a single mom and undergoing treatments I needed some help. I wanted to thank the Ireland Foundation so much for their help. It has made a tremendous impact on my life and has allowed me to let my daughter Claire continue some of the “normal” activities in her life. I wanted to share with everyone my daughter’s thoughts thru my journey:

Hi, my name is Claire Rose. I’m 11 years old and my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer July of 2008. It all started last year when the doctors found a tumor when my mom was getting one of her yearly mammograms. My mother started screening for breast cancer in her early 20’s due to strong family history of breast cancer.

After getting a biopsy, the doctor called and told us that my mom had breast cancer. A few months went by as we let the thought of my mom having breast cancer soak in. After much thought and discussion with doctors my mom underwent surgery at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

The doctors told us that my mom’s cancer is Stage 1 which means it was detected very early thanks to her getting so many mammograms every year. Unfortunately, her cancer was invasive and found to be triple negative. Because of the strong family history of breast cancer, my mom underwent genetic testing which showed that she is BRCA 1 positive. All of these things helped the doctors decide to give my mom strong chemotherapy drugs to make sure the cancer stays away for good. The chemotherapy drugs would make her lose her hair so she went ahead and shaved her head. That way losing her hair wouldn’t be as emotional. I would have to say that she look very beautiful with the peach fuzz on top of her head. She started her chemotherapy at North Kansas City Hospital in October of 2008.

After all her chemotherapy has been finished, her body will get to rest a few months. Mom will then have another surgery called an oopherectomy and a hysterectomy at MD Anderson due to her being tested positive for BRCA1. After everything is done, mom will have to go to M.D. Anderson every 3 months for check ups.

Throughout this whole journey I have felt every emotion there is to feel: sad, happy, mad, you name it and I’ve felt it. Here is one piece of advice I give to women fighting breast cancer; Stay strong and help your loved one fight and win this battle of cancer!