by Chandler Eckert

Last Thursday, October 19, Elaine Kitchell shared her story about breast cancer in the Gold Dining Hall during lunchtime. 

Around March 2023, Kitchell, Director of Conferences and Events, went to the doctor and was given some troubling news: she had breast cancer. Mammograms are recommended every few years and become more frequent as you get older. Due to a previous family health history of cancer and radiation exposure, Kitchell started getting checked annually. After about a month of tests, they spent another month to perform her surgery and allow her to recover. Four months after finding the tumor, she underwent radiation therapy five times a week for a month. She was very lucky to be able to remove the cancer so quickly and that it was caught as early as stage zero. 

Everyone at the Cone Cancer Center, where Kitchell was treated, was unbelievably nice to her and helpful. Kitchell stated that every patient had a dedicated personal team of oncologists, surgeons, a radiologist and a social worker. This meant that she received around-the-clock attention and care to make the process as easy and comfortable as possible. 

After learning about her diagnosis, her immediate emotions were fear and concern. She said the way she coped was by learning information like statistics, treatment options, recovery process and timeline.  Thankfully, she ended up with a 98% chance of staying clear for the next five years if she takes a hormone suppressor called Tamoxifen. 

It was very moving to experience and listen to her story, so do not forget to ask any survivors in your life about their stories because they deserve to be heard.