A gut feeling leads to detection, successful treatment
Kimberly Johnson did just what medical experts advise at the first sign of a breast lump — schedule a mammogram.
The first test was done in early 2016 and came back negative, the 46-year-old West Point resident remembers. But as the months went by, the lump didn’t go away, it became even harder. By that summer she scheduled another appointment with a different healthcare provider and the diagnosis confirmed breast cancer.
“I struggled about going back for another test because I was told all was clear, but I trusted my gut feeling and I’m glad I did,” Johnson said.
After the second mammogram and an ultrasound test, Johnson underwent 20 weeks of chemotherapy and surgery. She also followed up with 35 radiation treatments, which led to another discovery that’s available for cancer patients.
“My physician applied for me to stay at Hope Lodge in Birmingham for the radiation treatment. It’s like a large hotel with a dining hall and stoves if you want to cook. It was a blessing,” Johnson said. “That saved me driving about 150 miles a day and you could rest and focus on the things you needed to do while having treatments.”
Relay For Life of Cullman County will be Friday, May 4, beginning at 6 p.m. and ending at midnight, at the Cullman County Fairgrounds, 1501 Sportsman Lake Road NW, Cullman (relayforlife.org/cullmanal).
Johnson lived six weeks at Hope Lodge. Her return home opened another door, too, that was important in withstanding treatment and feeling good about herself.
“Wallace State has the Look Good, Feel Better program and it’s just wonderful,” Johnson said. “They have skin lotions and cosmetics for cancer patients, and the expertise to work with you on how to use them. You don’t realize until you’ve had cancer treatments how much it changes your skins and your eyebrows fall out. They work with you so that you can feel and look like yourself again. It’s a great service, program that’s been important in getting back to where you want to be.”
While Look Good, Feel Better was an important step along the way, Johnson said a sense of humor is a necessity in fighting cancer.
“You just have to find that sense of humor along the way,” she said. “Your family and friends are part of the network you need. My husband, Jeremy, and our children have been here and we kept our lives going forward.”
Johnson will soon have a followup appointment after a clear mammogram. The next step is an MRI to check further for any signs.
In the meantime, Johnson and her Relay for Life team, The Rack Pack, are gearing up for the events that bring survivors and supporters together.
“Being involved has been rewarding and you meet new friends and share the experiences that build more strength for everyone,” Johnson said.
Johnson said the fundraising and awareness campaigns through Relay for Life are bringing new treatment and success for cancer patients.
“Research now shows what the cancer cells feed off of. I never knew that sugar in your body is one of the things that the cancer cells go to,” Johnson said. “The options for treatment and post-care are tremendous now because of research.”