Heartbreak & Hope: The Start of Kara's Journey

On 12.13.24 our lives changed in a way that we never expected. Cancer has got to fall into the top three words you never want to hear, but yet - here we are.

My sweet and precious sister Kara has invasive ductal carcinoma.

I'll try to hit the FAQ's right off the bat here:

When did the symptoms start?

In July, after Kara returned from Camp Couragous, we discovered a lump on her breast. Mom quickly took her to her primary doctor, followed by the OB/GYN nurse practitioner the day after, and referred to the Genesis Center for Breast Health. They aspirate it, the fluid looks good. We are told to keep an eye on it and that there's a chance it will come back. We'll consider surgery if it's reoccurring.

And reoccurring it sure was, we had it aspirated seven times before getting it surgically removed. Each time, we are told the fluid looks non-suspicious. But each radiologist comments on the unusual amount they are pulling and the rate at which the cyst comes back.

Surgery #1

Kara had surgery on Dec. 10th to remove the cyst, it was the size of a baseball! Surgeon reports it all went well, but they found a small mass underneath the cyst and were going to send it back for testing as it's standard protocol.

The Dreaded C Word:

The surgeon calls my mom in the afternoon on Friday, Dec. 13th to share the unbelievable news that the cyst is cancerous (Grade 3, yikes!) and a lymph node they tested is positive as well.

What's Next:

Kara had an MRI on Thursday, Dec. 19, we are still awaiting the results to understand if the cancer has spread. A double mastectomy is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 26.

How's Kara:

Kara is fearless. She can't fully comprehend the road that we are facing, I mean if I'm being totally honest - I can't either. But Kara, she's not stressing at all. She's spending her time asking her medical staff the important hard hitting questions like, are you ready for Christmas? She's sending voice notes to all her friends and family, telling us all to stay positive as if she's the supporter and not the patient.

More Background:

If you've stumbled upon this page with little to no context about our family - Kara recently turned 30 years old and was born with mental and physical disabilities. She has never met a stranger and has always made an impact on anyone that crosses her path.

As Kara's big sister, I've watched her navigate this world with complete grace, strength, and a spirit that is beyond admirable.

We know how many people love and care about Kara, and the outpouring of messages has been deeply heartwarming. To keep everyone updated while we focus on her care, we've started this page to share important updates. I'll do my best to keep you informed on Kara's progress.

Your prayers, positive thoughts, and support mean the world to us as we navigate this journey together. Thank you for walking with us on this difficult road. <3