Stand up to cancer: Lisa King’s story
A local breast cancer survivor’s story shows the significance in getting mammograms — you may have noticed her on a Yellowstone Highway billboard. Her name is Lisa King, and last year, at 41 years old, she was diagnosed with breast cancer in her very first mammogram.
“I was shocked that I had any kind of cancer, I guess. I considered myself really healthy and I took care of myself. I had nursed two babies and that was supposed to help provide protection against breast cancer. I have no family history,” King said.
Her results showed the very early stages of cancer. It was the size of grains of salt, something she wouldn’t be able to feel through a regular breast exam. For the family, it was a distressing experience, especially when it came to the kids.
“A 1 and a 4-year-old at the time. So yeah, that was a little rough. Knowing worst-case scenario, that my little kids would grow up without a mom. I mean, that’s worst-case scenario — some people die of breast cancer — and I was really lucky,” King said.
Added her husband, Kevin: “You get the opportunity to look into the abyss of losing your spouse, and then being able to carry on that path and still get the spend the rest of your life with them.”
Fortunately, doctors we’re able to remove the cancer easily. She was out of work for four months, recovering and going to her radiation appointments five days a week for seven weeks.
“I slept more than normal and I was just more tired. It was definitely harder parenting whenever you have two little kids at home,” King said.
Even though she and her family went through a lot, they have a calm outlook on the experience.
“I honestly think it’s because I’m a nurse that I realize how bad things can be. Especially working in an ICU, you realize how bad it can be, and I feel lucky mine wasn’t that bad. And that I’m still here and I consider myself healthy and healed,” King said.
King, who had her first follow up mammogram a couple of months ago — her breast tissue looked normal and cancer-free. King’s mammogram saved her life.
