Breast Cancer Warrior Shares to Help Others
October 14, 2024By: Kim Shopper
Categories: Cancer, Your Wellness, We are NKCH and MH
Registered Nurse Ellie Tolberd, 30, cherished the two years she worked on 5th Floor caring for patients with cancer. “I was always scared to be one of those patients, but I do know people can beat cancer,” said Ellie, who now works in CICU.
In May, Ellie felt a lump in her breast while playing with her children Tyrus, 3, and Nyla 2. In just three weeks, doctors diagnosed her with invasive ductal carcinoma, an aggressive form of breast cancer, and she began chemotherapy.
“I felt the lump and then noticed skin discoloration and a dimpling appearance,” she remembered. “It all happened so fast. It’s been overwhelming and scary even with my oncology background.”
Skin changes, nipple discharge and pain are warning signs for breast cancer, according to Benjamin Fangman, MD, a hematologist and oncologist with the NKCH Cancer Center. Dr. Fangman advises regular mammograms and breast self-examinations.
Ellie’s oncology team moved quickly to start her treatment, which didn’t allow time for Ellie to freeze her eggs to protect her fertility.
“I wanted more children, but my doctor said if I want to live, then I need to weigh that against having more children,” explained Ellie.
Currently, Ellie is halfway through a recommended 16 rounds of chemotherapy. She and her husband Johnny try to keep a normal routine for Tyrus and Nyla, who keep watch of Ellie’s boo-boos to make sure they are healing. Once Ellie completes chemotherapy, she will undergo surgery and possibly more chemotherapy or radiation therapy. In all she expects her treatment to last a year.
With no family history of cancer, Ellie struggled with what she did to cause her cancer.
“I asked myself why so many times. I had to let that go,” she said. “When I started treatment, those thoughts faded away, and now I am just trying to survive to see the next day.”
Ellie is grateful for the support of her coworkers, family and friends. She encourages everyone to be vigilant and watch for changes to their health and seek medical attention if they feel something is wrong.
