Kate O'Connell-Reilly

Q. Tell us a little about yourself and your lifestyle.

A. I am a mother, a wife, a sister, a daughter, an aunt, a co-worker, a team-mate, a volunteer. I am very much like every woman out there. I work full time and have two teen-age children. I am active in my children's school and with our church, and also lead a very active life between work and home. I am the oldest of 6 children and my husband is one of 9. Our family is very important to us and we spend much of our spare time with them. Through work I have been volunteering for The Breast Cancer Research Foundation for about 9 years, performing fundraising activities and promoting breast cancer awareness to our employees.

Q. Describe how you found your cancer, were you on 'watch' or did it sneak up on you?

A. I found my cancer in a routine self-exam. Through mammography, calcifications were discovered in my left breast over the years resulting in 2 biopsies, both of which were non-cancerous. The lump I found was on my right breast. I thought it would be just like all the other biopsies, but it was not. A breast MRI confirmed that I had ductal carcinoma in situ in a very large portion of my right breast, so my surgeon decided to perform a single mastectomy.

Q. Following diagnosis, what helped you cope the most, and gave you strength?

A. I found strength in so many things. Immediately after diagnosis, I reached out to breast cancer survivors who I found to be the most amazing group of women. I took great comfort in their stories and their support. They helped take the fear out of the first weeks. I also found amazing strength in church and in prayer. Prayer is really a form of meditation and it worked for me. I also felt power in knowledge. I researched and read as much as I could about the disease. And finally, my family, friends and neighbors helped in so many ways. My softball team cooked for my family in the days after each chemo treatment, when I couldn't bear to even look at food. My daughter's girl scout troop planted beautiful flowers all over my yard, and as the summer progressed with my chemo treatments, those flowers bloomed so beautifully, a reminder that there is truly renewal and growth with time.

Q. How has breast cancer changed your outlook on life?

A. My life has not changed much since my diagnosis and treatment. It was very important to me to return to "life before cancer." I am certainly much more health-conscious. I eat well, walk a lot and generally take better care of myself. What has changed is my idea of "the future." Like many cancer survivors, I take great joy in the present day. My family and I have had 2 great vacations in the last year, something we really didn't do before. I have become more patient and I have become more spiritual. Breast cancer gives you the gift of appreciation.

Q. What advice would you give to someone who is newly diagnosed with breast cancer?

A. Seek out survivors who can be your mentors and confidants. Don't suffer alone. Find a good support group at your hospital or through your oncologist. Most of all, and this is very difficult, BE POSITIVE. Find something good in each and every treatment session and doctor's appointment. Find a craft that you enjoy and excel at it. I knitted every day for four months while I was undergoing treatment, and when it was over my friends and their children enjoyed the fruits of my knitting.

Q. How has The Breast Cancer Research Foundation been helpful to you?

A. The Breast Cancer Research Foundation is probably the most important benefactor to breast cancer researchers in this country. I am so thankful that my cancer happened now rather than ten years ago, thanks to the enormous strides in treatment advances that were made possible by funding from the BCRF. The Foundation provides hope and support to all of us who suffer from this disease; the tireless energy and determination of everyone involved at the BCRF is such an inspiration, especially that of Mrs. Evelyn Lauder. Her beauty, her spirit and her devotion to this organization is truly amazing. What a wonderful resource the BCRF has been for me!