From Chocolates to Healthcare
October 22, 2024By: Kim Shopper
Categories: Cancer, Women's Breast Health, Women's Health, We are NKCH and MH
Back in 2005, Patient Access Registrar Kimberly Blair lived an idyllic life. She cherished her children Holly, 5 months, and Andrew, 3, and combined motherhood with her dream job at Russell Stover Chocolates.
One day as she left Holly’s nursery, Kimberly felt a lump on the right side of her breast. When doctors investigated the lump, they found breast cancer. That moment forever changed Kimberly’s life and ignited her passion for helping others.
At age 33, Kimberly worked at Russell Stover Chocolates (acquired by Lindt & Sprüngli in 2014) during her breast cancer treatment. Over the next 19 years, she would face brain cancer and a second breast cancer diagnosis.
While Kimberly loved the corporate sector, life took on new importance with her health challenges. “I realized life is too short,” Kimberly remembered, “and I was working too many hours.”
She decided to help others and became a volunteer in Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab in 2022. “I wanted to give back to this hospital that was so good to me,” Kimberly said. “I felt this was the place I should be.”
A year later, Kimberly went from volunteer to employee. “I have been on the same side as our patients,” Kimberly explained. “I know it can be scary.”
When It Started
With her first breast cancer diagnosis in 2005, surgery removed the tumor via a lumpectomy followed by chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Kimberly responded well to the treatments. “As a mother, your biggest fear is you won’t be there for your kids,” she said. “Not winning was not an option for me.”
Doctors determined her cancer needed estrogen to grow, so she took medication to keep her estrogen levels low.
New Cancer Diagnosis
At age 50, Kimberly faced her next challenge. While in the ED with her son, a relative noticed Kimberly looked ill. The ED staff acted quickly and ordered a CT scan. A brain biopsy revealed a malignant brain tumor with a diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer. That diagnosis explained her headaches and why she was dropping things.
“The brain tumor was a blessing because that’s when they found I had breast cancer again,” Kimberly explained. “I wasn’t afraid because I felt I was in the right place for my brain surgery with Stephen Reintjes Jr, MD.” She received three rounds of radiation therapy under the care of Ajay Tejwani, MD.
Higher Risk for Cancer
Genetic testing showed Kimberly tested positive for the BRCA gene. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, people carry two types of breast cancer genes: BRCA1 and BRCA2. When functioning properly, these genes can repair DNA, keep other genes healthy and prevent cancerous changes in cells. When a mutation damages either of these genes, the person’s risk of cancer increases, including breast cancer and ovarian cancer in women, and prostate cancer and other cancers in men.
Kimberly opted to have Mangesh Oza, MD, perform a full mastectomy to remove both breasts and in 2023 she underwent a hysterectomy.
Today Kimberly lives her best life. An avid walker, she takes medication to help keep her cancer in check and so far, shows no new signs of cancer. “I don’t want people to feel sorry for me,” she smiled. “I am blessed to be here and to see my kids in college.”
