Portrait of a Breast Cancer Survivor

It’s a diagnosis that no woman wants to hear: breast cancer. It’s been five years of remission for Kathy since her diagnosis now and she still feels nothing but gratefulness for her family, doctors and life. In 2007, she was diagnosed with HER2-Positive Breast Cancer, a very aggressive, hormone-driven form of cancer that creates too many breast cells at an amplified rate. Although the cancer was aggressive, Kathy remained positive.

Shortly after diagnosis, she began her treatment therapy which included a double mastectomy, numerous reconstruction operations and rounds of chemotherapy at St. Vincents Hospital, to which she credits the staff at the hospital as being “wonderful and supportive,” during her treatment sessions. At the time, Herceptin was a cutting-edge cancer-fighting drug but was not available at St. Vincents or in Jacksonville area. As with most cancer patients, it can be tough to produce the necessary funding for these types of treatments. The Donna Hicken Foundation caught wind of her situation and quickly set-up a fund for Kathy and in no time was able to provide the financial assistance to obtain Herceptin to add during her chemo treatments.

It was not long after Kathy’s diagnosis that she met with Dr. Lewis Obi for the possibility of breast reconstruction. “He was so kind and genuinely wanted to help me. He was very good with giving me with all the information I needed and I knew I was with the right person because of all the experience he has. I always felt very safe with him and all of his recommendations,” gushed Kathy about her reconstruction process. In addition to traditional techniques of reconstructive plastic surgery, Dr. Obi has enhanced Kathy’s result with the new stem cell technology (Adivive™) that processes the patient’s own fat into a stem cell concentrated graft.

Even affter the arduous process, Kathy remains positive and thankful for the love of her friends, family and doctors that provided endless support. “I just want women to know that it’s not over. There is always hope, especially through the love of God. And with people like Dr. Lewis Obi and his staff, it’s possible to feel love, support and feel like a woman again,” said Kathy of her experience.

Incidentally, Kathy’s grandson Hayden was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia approximately the same time Kathy was receiving treatment for breast cancer. Both are celebrating remission and are eagerly awaiting Jacksonville’s Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Light the Night Walk where her grandson will be one of three “Honored Patients” in the ceremony. The Obi Plastic Surgery Clinic is also excited to participate on behalf of Hayden’s life and wonderful family.