Pink Bozeman | Bozeman Health

SURVIVOR STORIES

PROVIDERS

Dr. Kara Schenk

Breast cancer has the impressive ability to touch almost everyone's life.
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Dr. Meghan McKeon

When I became a patient with Stage 3 breast cancer, my life changed in an instant.
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Dr. Shauna
Werth-Kronfuss

As a breast surgeon devoted to the care of breast cancer patients, my journey is driven by a deeply personal connection.
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Cindy Carter,
PA-C, CBPN-IC
My desire is to meet patients where they are and provide compassionate guidance, support and hope as we embark on this journey together.
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Provider's Take - Katelyn
Dealing with cancer is scary because of all the unknown.
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SURVIVOR STORIES

Survivor Stories - Melissa
My wife and I were stunned and it threw our lives off course a bit - but we had so much love and support around us.
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Survivor Stories - Megan
I was a healthy 33 year old, what do I have to lose? Then everything changed.
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Survivor Stories - Amy
I was diagnosed with breast cancer in January of 2019 at the age of 43. I am grateful to be alive.
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Survivor Stories - Bill
I was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1974 at age 27, then again 44 years later in 2016. As a young man, it was very hard to have a "woman's disease."
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Survivor Stories - Brenda
My original diagnosis of estrogen receptor positive breast cancer was in 1994 when I was 45. After a mastectomy and chemotherapy . . .
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Survivor Stories - Jenny
I was diagnosed with breast cancer, stage 2 aggressive invasive ductal carcinoma in 2016 at age 44. It was the worst day of my life, and my first thought was how was I going to tell my children?
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Survivor Stories - Nannette
I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in 2018 at age 47. Even with this diagnosis, I believe that this is the path God has given me, and I plan to embrace it and see where it leads.
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Dr. Kara Schenk

Breast cancer has the impressive ability to touch almost everyone’s life. As a mother of two, wife, daughter, sister and friend, I understand the impact of a new breast cancer diagnosis.

As a breast cancer oncologist, I partner with my patients to thoughtfully craft an individualized treatment plan, based on their preferences and distinctive mutations of their cancer. I am continually inspired by my patients and I am honored to serve the people of Montana.

Dr. Meghan McKeon

As a radiologist specializing in breast imaging, I am used to diagnosing breast cancer. When I became a patient with Stage 3 breast cancer, my life changed in an instant.

Cancer takes away so many things, but going through a cancer diagnosis and treatment gave me a perspective that I would not have otherwise. I use that perspective every day with patients in our breast clinic and in life.

Dr. Shauna Werth-Kronfuss

As a breast surgeon devoted to the care of breast cancer patients, my journey is driven by a deeply personal connection. Having witnessed my own father’s battle with cancer, I am intimately familiar with the myriad of emotions and challenges that patients and their families face. This firsthand experience propels me to not only offer cutting-edge medical expertise, but also to create a compassionate and supportive environment where every patient feels heard, understood, and empowered.

I am committed to extending compassion and excellence to each and every individual under my care, ensuring they receive the kind of treatment that I would want for my own loved ones.

Cindy Carter, PA-C, CBPN-IC

As a provider being on the frontlines of breast cancer evaluation and diagnosis, I am in a unique position to meet with patients quickly to review results, answer questions and coordinate their care. My desire is to meet patients where they are and provide compassionate guidance, support and hope as we embark on this journey together.

I am part of a comprehensive multi-disciplinary team that will take care of all aspects of treatment from diagnosis through survivorship. My goal is for patients to have personalized care for the best possible outcome. I am here to help.

Provider's Take - Katelyn

Dealing with cancer is scary because of all the unknown. One of the things I love most about the Cancer Center is the individualized care and attention we provide to every single patient. No one has to walk the cancer journey alone.

Part of my role as a counselor is to get to know our patients and their families and ensure they have the support they need. I am passionate about helping people identify courage and strength they didn’t realize they had. It is truly an honor to do this work.

Survivor Stories - Melissa

After noticing a small lump, I was diagnosed with breast cancer in June of 2021 – at the time, I was 48 and had small kids at home, they were 3 and 5. My wife and I were stunned and it threw our lives off course a bit – but we had so much love and support around us. We were amazed at the kindness of people we knew, and barely knew. I’ve been in healthcare for 25 years and have now been a patient more than I care to be. I spent much of my time during treatment being grateful for the amazing care I received and also that my cancer wasn’t worse. I knew I was going to trudge through surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, but I was going to get to LIVE to enjoy the rest of my life.
I knew I was going to trudge through surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, but I was going to get to LIVE to enjoy the rest of my life. Now I continue my work in healthcare and get to help others with their breast cancer screening at AMI as well as volunteer on women’s health mission trips in remote areas of the world. I’m so truly thankful for the amazing technology, skilled professionals, and for the love and kindness around me.

Survivor Stories - Megan

In March 2021, a fertility specialist asked all the ‘right’ questions regarding family history of cancer and suggested genetic testing, not thinking anything would come of it, I happily obliged. I was a healthy 33 year old, what do I have to lose? Then everything changed. I learned I had the BRCA2 gene mutation, the breast cancer gene.

Instead of viewing this as a hardship I chose to take it as an early detection diagnosis.In August 2021, I underwent a prophylactic (preventative) double mastectomy and implant breast reconstruction. As difficult as this procedure was it gave me an OPPORTUNITY.

An opportunity to get ahead of cancer, an opportunity some individuals aren’t given. An opportunity to spend more years with my son and knowledge to do something about it. Early detection matters, as easy as it could be to ignore what could happen, having a mastectomy gave me piece of mind that I can take control of my health, something words cannot express. Something to be grateful for each and every day.

Survivor Stories - Amy

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in January of 2019 at the age of 43. I am grateful to be alive and have really been impacted by how much love and support I have from family and friends. I have developed new relationships by meeting people who have instantly become close to me because of our cancer connection.

The medical team of professionals have supported me and been top-notch. I am married with two growing sons, along with my extended family of parents and in-laws. Cancer never lets me forget that my life has changed forever, but I enjoy being outdoors hiking, skiing, floating rivers, and racing BMX bikes for the past eight years.

Please know that you are never alone on this journey and there is SO much accessible support and activities to tap into in our community to help you along this journey. Finally, if you feel a new breast “lump,” speak up and request additional testing after the mammogram because the detection science is changing.

Survivor Stories - Bill

I was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1974 at age 27, then again 44 years later in 2016. As a young man, it was very hard to have a “woman’s disease.” It has impacted my life in many ways. First, it has helped me understand the struggles that other people are going through—things you may not know about what is going on with them. At the time, I just wanted to get my life back.

The cancer experience gave me a feeling of accepting what life brings, and to look for the best. I used to live ‘day to day,’ and now I make conscious choices in where I live, work, and play. I am more conscious and appreciative of things around me. My daily mantra is “I want to wear a cloak of kindness and be on a path of patience and peace.

I want to live a life where I am able to give and receive love.”I say this to myself every day while I take a shower. I live in Bozeman with my wife and I have five children, 10 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren. I love to bike 5-6 times a week, love being outdoors and skiing. This is your life, how do you want it to be?

Survivor Stories - Brenda

My original diagnosis of estrogen receptor positive breast cancer was in 1994 when I was 45. After a mastectomy and chemotherapy, I felt I could move on with my life. I’m not saying that was easy, but eventually I relaxed into a routine and went forward. In 2015 that all changed when once again I had to face cancer – this time metastatic breast cancer. My first question was, “How can that be possible?” I quickly learned that ER+ breast cancer can metastasize decades later. Somehow, the cancer cells lie dormant in the body and something triggers them to grow. Research has not yet figured out what protects the cells all those years or what triggers them to grow. Metastatic breast cancer is Stage IV with no cure. But there are medications that can prolong life and fortunately one of them has now worked for me for five years.

Cancer Support Community was there from the beginning of this latest journey with cancer – and I have attended their annual retreat for women in any stage of cancer, Mending in the Mountains, for several years. This year CSC even held the event online and it was a great success. Through CSC I have found support specific to MBC [and they] offer an online MBC support group in Montana. I am happy to learn that even after COVID, CSC plans to continue to offer many of their programs and support groups online. That is important for those of us who live in other areas of the state where we don’t have support options like those available in Bozeman. Thanks to the wonderful staff at CSC for all they do!

Provider's Take - Katelyn

I was diagnosed with breast cancer, stage 2 aggressive invasive ductal carcinoma in 2016 at age 44. It was the worst day of my life, and my first thought was how was I going to tell my children? It also made me realize that I was NOT in control as I was thrown into a hurricane of appointments, uncertainty, and financial stress. The treatment was a long haul, and I don’t think anyone ever completely recovers from the physical and emotional trauma. On the other hand, cancer made me appreciate my family, friends and community, and the support I received from them was humbling. It forced me to re-evaluate my priorities, and slow down for awhile to take care of ME.
I find my strength in exercise and am now a Group Exercise Instructor at The Ridge and Cancer Support Community. Cancer has a way of giving you clarity about what is working in your life and what is not working. I live in Belgrade with my amazing husband and four wonderful kids. It was very hard on my family and when they asked me “are you going to die?” it was hard to answer them honestly with an “I don’t know.” I love to spend my time running, golfing, skiing, camping, cooking and thrift store shopping. Please…DO YOUR SELF BREAST EXAMS!!!

Survivor Stories - Nannette

I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in 2018 at age 47. Even with this diagnosis, I believe that this is the path God has given me, and I plan to embrace it and see where it leads. Cancer has helped me put my priorities in order and I am more likely to enjoy the simple things in life.

It has taught me to be more confident and helped me know that I am tough with strong inner-strength, and I don’t feel the need to prove myself to others.I have a greater sense of compassion and support and find myself wanting to help others. I would never wish this diagnosis on anyone, but I have met some pretty amazing women that I may not have otherwise met and I am grateful for that. 

I look at life through a lens of gratitude and am filled with much more appreciation. I live in Bozeman with my husband and two sons, and on the weekends, you can find us at the Bozeman High football field and MSU Bobcat stadium. I recommend to others facing cancer to find your people, have a strong support group, and know that you do not have to face this alone!! Cancer Support Community is such a welcoming place and will help you connect with other people in a similar situation. Hope and my faith in God bring understanding, forgiveness and love, and with that, I feel less alone.