A Discussion with Katie Reifenberg Pinson

Katie Reifenberg Pinson was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma in 2020. She was 38 and surprised, to say the least, as there was no history of breast cancer in her family. Add a raging pandemic to the mix, and she was faced with isolation during treatment instead of an inundation of hands-on help. Despite months of chemo and surgeries and ongoing hormone suppressants, today, Katie has weathered the storm and even found rays of hope and happiness that push the clouds of fear away, thanks to friends near and far and her art.

Tell us a little bit about your cancer diagnosis and treatment. In the beginning of 2020, at the age of 38, I developed a pneumonia-like cough. I tested negative for everything and had perfect bloodwork. In the late spring, I started having severe rib pain in my underarm location.
While I was pressing around on my ribs trying to locate the source of pain, I noticed an enlarged lymph node under my arm. I assumed it was from whatever respiratory virus had been plaguing me for such a long time.

Because of the pandemic, it was difficult to get an appointment with anyone quickly, so I called my OBGYN. His nurse called me back and asked several questions. She said he wanted me to have a diagnostic mammogram since I had never had one. I went to the Montgomery Breast Center for my mammogram. Several spots showed up on an ultrasound (that I had right after the mammogram), and they were biopsied the next week.

On a Monday morning, right as I was getting ready for work, the radiologist called me to let me know that the biopsies showed malignancy in both the tumor and the lymph node. I was so confused and actually asked her if she was telling me that I had breast cancer. She said yes, and that it had spread into an axillary node so I would most definitely have chemotherapy and surgery at the very least. An oncologist at the Montgomery Cancer Center formally diagnosed me with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. I was Stage IIIB- Her2-. Er+. PR+ and negative for genetics. I had two tumors and malignant lymph nodes throughout my breast, underarm and chest muscle. My care plan included several months of chemotherapy, a lumpectomy, a re-excision lumpectomy, eight weeks of daily radiation, an oophorectomy and hormone suppressant therapy.

I am happy to say that I am currently in remission! Because my cancer was estrogen positive (meaning that estrogen helped it grow), I am currently on hormone suppressant therapy which I will continue for at least ten years. The side effects can be tough, but it significantly lessens the chance of recurrence, so I will continue as my doctor thinks I need to. I see my healthcare team every three months as well as have alternating MRIs and mammograms.

Art and therapy have both been helpful!

Through the treatment process (and after), what did you want and need from your friends and family? Because of the pandemic, I could not have visitors to any appointments or treatment sessions. I also could not have visitors inside my house because of the risk of infection. The biggest help from my friends and family was ensuring that we had meals. I also appreciated everyone checking up on me and asking about my treatment.

After treatment, my biggest need was for everyone to understand that my body was functioning very differently and so everything was more challenging. Working full-time during the day and working on my art business at night takes everything out of me, so when I do have free time, I often just want to rest. I also have trouble with my memory and am much more forgetful than I was before. I truly appreciate the grace my friends, family and coworkers have given me. Each day I feel more like myself.

What forms of help and support have really stood out? I had many friends and family who brought over care packages with art supplies, food, lotions, flowers, etc. I was on prayer lists in many local churches and synagogues. I really appreciated people who would come stand on my driveway just to say hello. Those visits meant the world to me during such an isolating time even though they might last just five minutes.

One family friend brought me several meals every single Tuesday for an entire year. Even if we did not need food, she brought food anyway. I was having trouble with my liver enzymes, and she researched all of the foods that would be beneficial for me. I do not have the words to say what that meant to us.

I was also really touched by how many people reached out to me that had never met me before. I received mail, prayers and gifts from all over the country. For example, a lady who went to church with my parents years ago heard about my illness, so she sent me a blanket knowing I would need one for chemo.

What one thing that you have done and/ or are doing for yourself has most helped you cope? Art and therapy have both been helpful! I love to paint animals and flowers. I was fortunate that I was able to paint throughout most of my treatment. It gave me something to do at home and helped me to escape for a bit.

Life after active treatment is so hard, and I was completely unprepared for it. Once treatment was over, feelings of anger, confusion and guilt consumed me. Instead of feeling excited when my doctor told me that I was in remission, I felt tremendous guilt. Meeting with a therapist helped me sort through everything and make sense of it all. It was so validating knowing that most people feel all of those things after treatment is over. If you are going through cancer treatment, please know there is no shame in getting help.

Katie's Top Friend Tips

BUDDY SYSTEM If you’re going through canter treatment, Katie highly recommends connecting with someone who is experiencing the same struggles. “Find a cancer friend! What I mean is to find another person in your age range who is going through similar treatment. It is helpful to have someone in your life who can truly understand what you are going through because they have also experienced it. I have gotten to know several women around my age who have all gone through similar treatments for breast cancer. If you need a cancer buddy, please reach out to me.”

YUM YUM. Meals are the biggest help during active treatment.

A NICE TREAT. Also, cards, flowers, emails, texts, happy gifts, and announced visits are appreciated!

KEEP THEM COMPANY. If the patient is allowed to have a visitor during treatment, then ask if they would like you to go with them.

BE UNDERSTANDING. And please know your cancer friend is busy fighting for their life during treatment, so they may not seem as invested in you as they usually are, but they still love you and are very interested in knowing the happenings in your life, so keep them updated just as you would any other day.