When Tricia Korth received her breast cancer diagnosis in 2023, her mind immediately went to a dark place. As she grappled with what she imagined might be a terminal prognosis, Tricia implored her fiancé to revisit their wills.
“You go through that panic of preparing that this is really bad. I could die,” Tricia says of her initial reaction.
In the days and weeks that followed, the picture came into better focus. Tricia soon learned that her type of breast cancer — 1B — was highly treatable. While the reassurance came as a relief, Tricia says her breast cancer experience often felt challenging and isolating.
As we mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Tricia shares her story of tenacity and resilience in hopes of encouraging and educating other women.
A Call Back
When Tricia got a call back after her routine mammogram, she initially wasn’t especially concerned. Twice in the past, she’d gotten called back for more testing. Those first two times, Tricia was like most women who get an all-clear following the need for additional imaging.
In January 2023, Tricia’s callback led to a different outcome. She first went in for additional mammography imaging and then learned she’d need an ultrasound and biopsy.
“By then, a full-blown panic was happening for me,” Tricia, 53 at the time, recalls.
Three days later, Tricia’s primary care physician called and informed her of the diagnosis.
Breast cancer runs in Tricia’s family. Her mother, along with all of her mom’s sisters and three of Tricia’s cousins, had breast cancer. Tricia’s family members underwent genetic testing, which revealed no markers for their cancer. That made the news of Tricia’s own diagnosis all the more shocking to her.
“Within an hour a navigator called,” Tricia says. From there, everything moved quickly.
Allaying Fears
As Tricia absorbed her diagnosis, she met with her surgeon, Dr. Honnie Bermas, a breast specialist. Tricia learned that a stage 1B breast cancer diagnosis typically indicates the presence of a small cancerous tumor (2 centimeters or smaller), in addition to cancerous cells in the lymph nodes. The prognosis for this type of breast cancer typically is promising.
“Dr. Bermas put a lot of my fears to rest for me,” Tricia says. “She was very nurturing and calming. She said, ‘You’d better start preparing to live. You’re going to get through this.’”
Isolating Experience
On Feb. 16, 2023, less than a month after receiving her diagnosis, Tricia underwent a lumpectomy, a surgical procedure to remove a cancerous tumor from the breast. She had five lymph nodes removed, but no cancer had spread to her lymph nodes. A 21-session course of radiation followed that April.
Throughout her treatment, Tricia says she enjoyed the support of her fiancé, Jeff, along family members and friends. Her niece and nephew accompanied her to many of her radiation treatments. Her best friend from college called often to check in. Tricia’s coworker, Diane, provided support and encouragement as Tricia continued to work full time throughout her treatment.
Tricia says the love and support helped sustain her. At the same time, she sometimes felt alone. From the time she received her diagnosis through the following summer, Tricia struggled emotionally.
“It’s very isolating, going through it,” she says. “The people who would let me have the panic attack and who let me go to bed and just be sad and tired, I appreciate them for letting me just be sad, because I needed to do that before I could get better.”
Lindsey Kulbacki, a Physician Assistant with ThedaCare Cancer Care, says it’s not uncommon for people to experience difficulties and anxieties throughout their diagnosis and treatment.
“I see patients like Tricia every day in different parts of their journey through this, and I try to remind them that what they’re going through currently is not their forever,” she says.
Healing Through Connection
A turning point for Tricia came when she began to tap into the resources available to her. She began attending survivorship courses through ThedaCare Cancer Care. They featured dietitians, speakers and yoga.
“The support I gained from these groups was just as important as the treatment I received,” Tricia says.
Connecting with the LIVESTRONG program through the YMCA of the Fox Cities also proved pivotal. The free 12-week program is designed to help adult cancer survivors regain strength through exercise.
At Tricia’s first class, she met four women close to her age who all had some form of breast cancer. The quintet became fast friends.
“I didn’t really realize I needed people around me who got it,” Tricia says. “They’ve become some of my dearest friends.”
Today, Tricia and her friends — Cindy, Heather, Joan and Katrina — remain close and still work out together at least once a week at the Y. They maintain an ever-growing text chain and attend breast cancer fundraiser walks together. Members of the group have even gone on to take trips together — most recently to the Canadian Rockies.
“They’re things I wouldn’t have done with friends prior to that,” Tricia says. “I never would want anyone to have breast cancer, but thank God I had breast cancer, because I got these four great friends from it. I wouldn’t have met them if I hadn’t gotten to that low point.”
Exceptional Care
Today, Tricia, an Appleton resident and account manager for a packaging company, is doing well. She continues with follow-up care and takes tamoxifen, a medication that blocks cancer cells from being able to use estrogen to grow.
Tricia, a dog lover and outdoor enthusiast, says she’s grateful for all the care she received through ThedaCare Cancer Care.
“I have very good providers at ThedaCare,” she says. “I never felt alone. If I had questions or concerns, the team were spectacular with helping.”
Kulbacki says ThedaCare strives to create that kind of experience for patients.
“We’re really lucky at ThedaCare to have a very active and engaged breast cancer team,” she says. “Our goal is to make sure everybody’s on the same page with what the right treatment is for the patient and that we’re following the correct guidelines.”
Encouraging Others
As Tricia reflects on the past couple of years, she says she’s gained new perspective.
“I’m not the same person I was prior, but I’m liking who I am again,” she says.
Kulbacki also celebrates Tricia’s grit and courage.
“Tricia’s done such a lovely job navigating her cancer journey,” she says. “She’s been so brave and done it with such grace. And I’m so happy to see her living her life so fully.”
Tricia says she supports breast cancer care and research because she doesn’t want other women to have to experience the same panic she did. And she always spreads the word about the importance of mammograms.
“I tell everybody to do it all the time,” she says. “It’s much better to get it early instead of late. You have a better chance of catching it and getting through to the other side.”
If you’re due for a mammogram, you can schedule using MyThedaCare.
