Courtney Kuchar
Survivor
Triple positive young mom of 3
I was 30 years old when I was diagnosed with triple positive breast cancer. I was married with 3 kids with no family history and not old enough for mammograms. This was definitely not anything I was expecting or could have predicted. Our son was in kindergarten, and our daughters were in daycare, ages 3.5 & 2.
Within the first 3 weeks since diagnosis I had my port placed and was ready to start chemo. 12 months of chemo with surgery mid way through and expanders placed. Reconstruction came 11 months after diagnosis. It seemed like I was cancer free and out of woods after 12 months. It was within those next 12 months that I realized my life was forever changed. As a planner, I was always looking in the future to the next thing, planning what my life would look like, yet always being wrong.
During my treatment, I had to find a new breast surgeon and then a new oncologist which turned into a new treatment facility. Everything that was planned out continuously changed. I had to finally accept that no matter how much I planned it out, my future was in God’s hands. While watching my hair grow back and learn how to live life as a cancer survivor the unthinkable happened.
Just 3.5 years after my first diagnosis, I was diagnosed with recurrent breast cancer. How could I be doing all of the right things, following the most aggressive treatment plans and still have recurrence?!? Again, it didn’t really matter, except it was time to fight one more time. This time I started with surgery to remove the cancerous lymph node along with 10 other noncancerous ones surrounding. Once I healed, I started my 17 radiation treatments. I knew there was a risk of getting radiation with implants but since they were already there, the risk was happening. Naturally, I encountered an infection in my left implant while on vacation and had to come home to take care of it. After surgery to remove both implants and the decision to remain breastless, I carried on with 12 months of chemo. By this time, my youngest was in 1st grade but now it was my children who were encountering more of the anxiety and mental anguish that I originally had when this all began.
Today, I am proud to say I am a cancer free two time breast cancer survivor with thriving kids in 7th, 5th and 3rd grades. My husband has been my true rock and support throughout this journey. There is no couple who should ever have to endure a cancer journey within their first few years of marriage, let alone ever, but I can proudly say we have done it twice…and only continue getting stronger. My strength came from God and my faith is what got me through the dark moments but He is truly the reason I can share my story and be here to support others going through this awful disease.