When Tricia Korth received her breast cancer diagnosis in early 2023, her thoughts immediately spiraled to worst-case scenarios.
“You go through that panic of preparing and you’re thinking, ‘this is really bad. I could die,’” she recalled. “I even asked my fiancé to revisit our wills.”
Within days, Korth learned her diagnosis, stage 1B breast cancer, was highly treatable. The relief was profound, still, the journey that followed was challenging and sometimes isolating.
As she marks her second year post-diagnosis during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Korth is sharing her story of resilience, vulnerability and hope to help encourage others to seek the screening she credits with saving her life.
A Routine Mammogram
In January 2023, Korth received a call back after her annual mammogram. That wasn’t an unusual occurrence for her. Twice before, additional imaging had yielded an all-clear. Those first two times, Korth was like most women who get an all-clear following the need for additional imaging. This time, the follow-up included an ultrasound and biopsy.
“By then, a full-blown panic was happening for me,” said Korth, who was 53 at the time. “Three days later, my doctor called with the diagnosis – it was breast cancer.”
The diagnosis hit especially hard because of her family history. Korth’s mother, all of her mother’s sisters and three cousins had faced breast cancer. Yet, none had genetic markers for the disease.
“Within an hour, a navigator called,” Korth remembers. “From there, everything moved quickly.”
Korth soon met with her surgeon, Dr. Honnie Bermas, a Breast and Oncology Surgeon. Dr. Bermas explained that stage 1B typically indicates a small tumor – two centimeters or smaller – with some cancerous cells in nearby 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,” said Korth, an Appleton resident. “She was very nurturing and calming. She said, ‘You’d better start preparing to live. You’re going to get through this.’”
In February 2023, less than a month after her diagnosis, Korth underwent a lumpectomy, a surgical procedure to remove a cancerous tumor from the breast. She had five lymph nodes removed. No cancer had spread to her lymph nodes. A 21-session course of radiation followed that spring.
Support Is Vital
Throughout her treatment, Korth said she enjoyed the support of her fiancé, Jeff, along with support from 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. Korth’s coworker, Diane, provided encouragement as Korth continued to work amid her treatments.
Korth said 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, Korth said she struggled emotionally.
“It’s very isolating, going through it,” she said. “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.”
It’s not uncommon for people to experience difficulties and anxieties throughout their breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, said Lindsey Kulbacki, a Physician Assistant with ThedaCare Cancer Care.
“I see patients like Tricia every day in different parts of their journey through this,” she said. “I try to remind them that what they’re going through currently is not their forever.”
Healing Through Connection
A turning point came when Korth began attending survivorship programs offered through ThedaCare Cancer Care, featuring speakers, dietitians and yoga classes.
“The support I gained from these groups was just as important as the treatment I received,” she said. “I valued this immensely.”
She also joined the LIVESTRONG program at the YMCA of the Fox Cities, a free 12-week exercise and wellness program for adult cancer survivors. There, she met four other women close to her age who had also faced breast cancer. Korth soon became close friends with new pals Cindy, Heather, Joan and Katrina.
“I didn’t really realize I needed people around me who got it,” Korth said. “They’ve become some of my dearest friends.”
The quintet meets weekly to work out together and stays connected through an ever-growing text chain. They’ve also taken trips together, most recently to the Canadian Rockies.
“They’re things I wouldn’t have done with friends prior to that,” Korth said. “I never would want anyone to have breast cancer but thank God I had this experience because I got these four great friends from it. I wouldn’t have met them if I hadn’t gotten to that low point.”
A Message of Hope
Today, Korth is thriving. She’s an account manager for a packaging company. She continues her follow-up care and takes tamoxifen, a medication that blocks cancer cells from being able to use estrogen to grow.
“I have very good providers at ThedaCare,” she said. “I’ve never felt alone. If I have questions or concerns, the team is spectacular with helping.”
Kulbacki said that kind of teamwork is central to ThedaCare Cancer Care’s approach to patient care.
“We’re really lucky at ThedaCare to have a very active and engaged breast cancer team,” she said. “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 to Act
Reflecting on her journey, Korth said she has a new perspective on life.
“I’m not the same person I was prior but I’m liking who I am,” she said. “This journey has certainly made my life interesting.”
Kulbacki celebrates Korth’s grit and courage.
“Tricia’s done such a lovely job navigating her cancer journey,” she said. “She’s been so brave and done it with such grace. And I’m so happy to see her living her life so fully.”
Korth said 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 all the time, get screened – do it,” she said. “It’s much better to get it early instead of late. You have a better chance of catching something that isn’t quite right and getting through to the other side.”
People interested in scheduling a breast health exam are encouraged to visit MyThedaCare to schedule a mammogram or an appointment with a primary care provider.
