Karen’s Story: Fighting Breast Cancer with Strength for Her Children

Karen Schroeder was six months pregnant when she noticed a small knot in her breast. She casually mentioned it to her doctor, thinking it was simply part of her pregnancy. Her doctor was concerned, but decided to simply keep an eye on it until after the baby arrived. A post-pregnancy ultra sound was inconclusive, but three months later, the lump was still there. Even though Karen was breastfeeding, her doctor couldn’t wait any longer and ordered a biopsy.

When Karen was told she had stage three breast cancer, she was in disbelief. She was young and had an infant to care for, along with a four-year-old son and a school-aged step daughter. Once the shock wore off, Karen quickly shifted gears. “I drew strength from my kids. I knew I needed to be there for them.” So when she came to Fort Wayne Medical Oncology and Hematology, she was ready to start treatment. She explains, “It sounds strange, but I was excited to start chemo, I just knew I had to do this.”

Her oncologist was eager to get started, as well. She ordered three tests, one right after another, with visits the following day for each one so they wouldn’t waste any time. Once they knew exactly what they were facing, treatment began immediately.

“I connected with my doctor right away. She wasn’t much older than I was and also had small children, so I think she understood my state of mind,” says Karen. “She, and everyone else there, let me know that I wasn’t in this alone. They definitely shared my fighting spirit.”

After four months of chemotherapy, two surgeries and 36 radiation treatments, Karen was cancer-free. “I am grateful to Fort Wayne Medical Oncology for saving my life. I have a lot of life to live yet.”