By Zoe Rose
Some are in remission, others are still battling, but for eight Great Falls women, breast cancer has not kept them from the joys of family, friendship and hope. As warriors in the “Fight Against Fear,” this year’s motto for the nonprofit organization Breast Cancer Awareness (BCA), they have found empowerment in using their experiences to give courage to women who have been newly diagnosed.
“When you get breast cancer, you join a special club of women called ‘survivors,’” says BCA’s founder, Hope Good. “Out of our group of eight, half of us have dealt with cancer more than once. We just keep going, regardless of what our outcomes are. We are women who are not afraid to talk about what we’ve gone through; we are bold and we want other women to know they can be bold too.”
In 2013, Melissa Greenwood wasn’t feeling very bold when she was first diagnosed with Stage 2 invasive ductal carcinoma at the age of forty-seven. “Well, when you hear that it is any kind of cancer, you think it’s a death sentence so it hit me hard, and I had moments of feeling sorry for myself, but I’m tough,” she said with a laugh. “I made it through, went back to work with my bald head, determined not to let it take over my life.” Just three months ago, tests showed a pea-sized spot, so Melissa is currently taking oral chemotherapy. “You can’t let these things knock you down, so you fight.”
Fighting is exactly what Kate Bahr has been doing since her initial diagnosis ten years ago at the age of sixty. She previously had several tumors that were benign, but a regular checkup showed pre-cancer in her uterus. “With my health history, it was decided that I should have a mastectomy as well as a hysterectomy. But my uterus had adhered to my bladder and so it got
cut, making my recovery longer than I thought it would be,” she said. “I had given myself three days to feel sorry for myself, but the bladder problem threw me for a loop – so I took five.”
Kate often receives calls from newly diagnosed women. After thirty-one years as a mail carrier, she knows the positive effects of getting uplifting mail. “I am an avid letter writer so I send cards with positive thoughts.” Kate also knows a thing or two about dealing with the effects of chemo. “I make up little baskets of things they can eat, and I include plastic utensils because metal ones can affect the taste of the food.”
Gretchen Swift’s breast cancer, first diagnosed in 2014, spread to her uterus in 2020, and to her lungs two years later. Still undergoing treatment, she considers herself lucky to be enjoying her life. “I have had such support from my family and friends that I don’t even think about it anymore.” For Gretchen, staying positive has been important. “New treatments are happening every day and doctors have a lot more ‘tricks’ in their bags than they used to.” When Inge Buchholz was first diagnosed with breast cancer, she had screamed “NO!” Already a two-time survivor of thyroid cancer, Inge couldn’t believe that once more, she was faced with another fierce battle. “It was my turn to learn that I’m not invincible,” says Inge, who also learned the importance of taking one day at a time. “Life deals you different things and you just have to take care of them, so just hang in there! You will get through this,” says Inge, who feels blessed to have survived.
The median age at the time of a breast cancer diagnosis is sixty-two, with only one out of eight invasive breast cancers diagnosed in women younger than forty-five. Mara Street was just forty.
At her age, she says she never imagined that she would be taking the journey that was ahead of her. She had only had a mammogram because her insurance company had been so persistent in leaving messages asking her to schedule one. “It’s been thirteen years, and I am doing very well and am beyond thankful for that early diagnosis,” says Mara. She has advice for newly diagnosed women.
“I know this is difficult but it is vital! Ask for help. Don’t feel like you are a burden to your friends and family. There are so many caring people who want to help in any way possible. Take them up on their offers to come to appointments, cook and clean, run errands, walk the dogs, watch a movie with you, paint your nails. They love you. You are not alone!”
A woman’s risk of breast cancer nearly doubles if she has a first-degree relative—mother, sister, daughter— who has been diagnosed with it, and about 5-10% of breast cancers can
be linked to known gene mutations inherited from one’s mother or father.
Those statistics are what Julie Flesch was counting on to keep her safe from breast cancer. “I was shocked when I got the diagnosis because we had no family history of it,” says Julie, who was forty-five at the time. “Now I think it’s really important for people to be aware that it can happen.” Julie, who is well and healthy ten years out from that breast cancer diagnosis, was confronted with another health condition fifteen months after finishing chemotherapy. “I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis so that’s my biggest health obstacle now.”
One of the goals for BCA is to make sure women know the facts about their diagnoses through distribution of free, educational booklets delivered throughout Montana. “Knowledge is power,” says Hope, the book’s author. “Our booklet is factual as well as being hopeful with photos of smiling survivors and inspirational quotes.”
That kind of encouragement wasn’t available for Marianne Frank, diagnosed in July, of 2004. “When I first went to my oncologist, he said statistically there is about a 20% survival rate as I was a stage 3A with a large tumor. I didn’t know what to do, where to go. I didn’t understand what it all meant.” At that time, it seemed like the general public didn’t understand it either.
“I was often asked, ‘Well, didn’t you get your yearly mammograms?’
It made me feel guilty, like I had done something wrong and it was all my fault,” says Marianne, who had indeed had yearly exams, having had one in December of 2003, just six months before her diagnosis. “After I had a radical mastectomy, chemo and radiation and my hair had started to grow back, a woman from my church came up to me and wanted to know, ‘What’s the deal with your hair?’”
Now, twenty cancer-free years later, Marianne finds humor in relating those stories. “It’s so different now. In high school, my boys wore pink football cleats and shirts that said ‘I wear pink for my mom.’” After the diagnosis, Marianne found the importance of being in the moment. “I definitely appreciate life more and have learned to treasure every day. I let the small stuff go and know what really matters—family, friends and everyday miracles – not material possessions. The whole experience made me realize ‘what cancer did for me.’ Too bad it takes something like this to make one realize how many blessings you really have. Live everyday like it is your last and don’t wait to live your life! Your life is NOW.”
If you or someone you know would like to reac out to BCA, contact Hope Good at 406-868-9649 or check out their Facebook page: Breast Cancer Awareness.