Share Your Story: Kelley Sgroi

04/26/22 • 36 min

Kelley was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma in September 2011, two days before her 41st birthday. She had a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction, chemotherapy, radiation Today, Kelly is 10 years cancer-free.

01:22: I was working out one day, and I had this stabbing pain in the side of my left breast.
03:23: I'm telling my parents regardless.
04:55: How old were your kids?
07:26: I've always heard that cancer doesn't hurt so why did this hurt?
09:10: There weren’t a lot of surgical options in there other than reconstruction.
10:57: October I had surgery.
13:28: I remember after my pregnancy; I couldn't feel my feet because they were so swollen.
15:09: She was telling me she had never had anyone have this kind of emotional reaction to this medication before.
17:24: I never ended up in the hospital.
18:58: I was able to accept the radiation part.
21:08: I started researching master's degree programs.
23:22: If it wasn't for cancer, I would still be a dental hygienist.
24:32: What is that one thing you wish you'd known at the very beginning?
25:45: Now I have this new implant that they think is ruptured.
27:19: Nobody told me that I was going to have issues with my chest muscles for the rest of time.
28:07: If you could only do one thing to improve health care in the U.S., what would it be and why?
30:02: I had a full hysterectomy because I was having all kinds of issues after chemo.
31:11: Thriver Rapid Fire Questions.
34:14: Aside from Cancer U, what is one resource you would recommend for cancer patients and caregivers?

Resources

01:22: I was working out one day, and I had this stabbing pain in the side of my left breast.
03:23: I'm telling my parents regardless.
04:55: How old were your kids?
07:26: I've always heard that cancer doesn't hurt so why did this hurt?
09:10: There weren’t a lot of surgical options in there other than reconstruction.
10:57: October I had surgery.
13:28: I remember after my pregnancy; I couldn't feel my feet because they were so swollen.
15:09: She was telling me she had never had anyone have this kind of emotional reaction to this medication before.
17:24: I never ended up in the hospital.
18:58: I was able to accept the radiation part.
21:08: I started researching master's degree programs.
23:22: If it wasn't for cancer, I would still be a dental hygienist.
24:32: What is that one thing you wish you'd known at the very beginning?
25:45: Now I have this new implant that they think is ruptured.
27:19: Nobody told me that I was going to have issues with my chest muscles for the rest of time.
28:07: If you could only do one thing to improve health care in the U.S., what would it be and why?
30:02: I had a full hysterectomy because I was having all kinds of issues after chemo.
31:11: Thriver Rapid Fire Questions.
34:14: Aside from Cancer U, what is one resource you would recommend for cancer patients and caregivers?

Resources

Previous Episode

Share Your Story: Jennifer Smrz

After Jenn was diagnosed with breast cancer at 43 followed by five surgeries and 18 months of treatment, coupled with dealing with anxiety/depression, she is passionate about helping others by sharing coping strategies and helping them take control of their lives. She has made it her passion project to share her research and educate people on the importance of reading labels and knowing what ingredients are in our foods and household products.

01:32: I found a small marble-sized lump on my left breast.
03:20: They learned of a tumor that was deep in my chest cavity.
04:59: What kind of surgeries were they?
06:59: It sounds like you finished up treatment, both chemo, and radiation before Christmas 2019.
08:16: How did Covid affect your follow-up?
11:05: Everything has been on my left side.
13:17: They would pump me up and they had to do it quite slow.
14:25: What was your worst moment?
16:34: Did you hear my experience in the mammogram?
18:04: What is one thing you wish you had known at the very beginning of your cancer journey?
20:10: I wasn't excited about having my fifth surgery.
20:48: If you could only do one no more to one thing to improve health care in Canada what would it be?
22:05: Thriver Rapid Fire Questions.
23:01: Aside from Cancer U, what is one resource you would recommend for cancer patients and caregivers?

Resources

Jenn on LinkedIn
Jenn's Coaching profile
Jenn's Journey to Healthy Living Facebook Group
Email Jenn at [email protected]
Call Jenn 416.831.8392

Next Episode

Share Your Story: Anna Leonarda

Anna Leonarda is a nine-year breast cancer survivor who struggled with endometriosis, painful intercourse, and lack of libido for many years. Approximately eight years after diagnosis, she got divorced. Traditional dating apps didn’t cater to people with sexual limitations so she created a dating app for individuals with sexual dysfunction/limitations.

01:39: How did you get diagnosed?
03:12: When I got the diagnosis, I was in shock.
05:19: I had a one-sided mastectomy.
07:16: I lost all my hair, and the side effects weren't horrible.
09:06: I'll join support groups on Facebook with 17,000 women that have vaginismus.
11:25: My mom had breast cancer, and she lived a good 10 years.
13:30: My chest looked yellow and brown.
15:38: What about the deep flap?
16:56: Did you end up doing that surgery?
20:06: What was your worst moment?
21:59: What is the one thing you wish you had known at the beginning of your cancer journey?
22:42: If you could only do one thing to improve health care in the U.S., what would it be and why?
23:56: Thriver Rapid Fire Questions.
25:11: Aside from Cancer U, what is one resource that you would recommend for cancer patients and caregivers?
27:24: If you're using this app, it means that intercourse is not a possibility.

Resources