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Monday, October 6, 2008
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Celebrating life Luncheon brings breast cancer survivors together Staff Writer On Saturday, Timbermist in Brainerd was filled with women - many in pink - for one thing. To celebrate life.
The event? The eighth annual Breast Cancer Survivor Luncheon sponsored by Susan G. Komen for the Cure Brainerd Lakes, A Women's Choice and the St. Joseph's Foundation through the Pat Hassett fund.
Kathy Buxton, who organized the event, said the luncheon was a great afternoon for breast cancer survivors. Buxton said the objectives of the luncheon are two fold. First, is to inform people on what's new in breast cancer treatments and other breast cancer facts. Second is to celebrate survivors and remember those who have died from breast cancer.
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Camryn Towle (right) put a breast cancer survivor bracelet on Roberta Kozelka's wrist Saturday at the Breast Cancer Survivor Luncheon held at the Timbermist.
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Brainerd Dispatch/Jennifer Stockinger
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"We need to remember the ones who died and let the ones who have breast cancer know that they can survive this," said Buxton. "The women here can just sit and talk and the networking and laughing that goes on is wonderful. The survivors understand what goes on and it's nice to know that they're not alone. Survivors who attend these luncheons are ones who've been survivors for 30 years to someone who was diagnosed yesterday."
It's been nearly 37 years since Betty Esteb, 76, Deerwood, was diagnosed with breast cancer. Esteb said she found a lump in her breast and doctors had to remove it.
"I didn't know anything about cancer at that age," said Esteb. "It was tough. I lost my first husband, and my second husband and I were only married for about a year. He sympathized with me and helped me get through it."
Roberta Kozelka, 45, Crosslake, was diagnosed with breast cancer about three years ago.
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Betty Esteb (right) of Deerwood talked with Jan Virginia at the Breast Cancer Survivor Luncheon held at the Timbermist. Esteb was one of the longest breast cancer survivors at the luncheon.
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Brainerd Dispatch/Jennifer Stockinger
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"I was shocked when I learned that I had breast cancer," said Kozelka. "I tried to be strong and I tried to do it alone. It was hard, but a lot of good things came out of it. I met my husband and his son and they offered me support. I love life now."
Dr. Ross Bengtson, a general surgeon at Brainerd Lakes Health, the health care system which includes St. Joseph's Medical Center and Brainerd Medical Center, spoke on new medical breakthroughs concerning breast cancer. Bengtson said women who are diagnosed with breast cancer have two options, either to have a mastectomy to remove the cancerous breast or have a lumpectomy to remove the cancer in the breast followed by radiation treatments. Bengtson said the lumpectomy is more common today, but both procedures are equally effective.
Bengtson said Brainerd Lakes Health is the only hospital in the region to be a certified cancer center. He said the hospital's latest statistics showed that it served 104 patients with breast cancer. He said Aitkin County had 18 cases dealing with breast cancer, Mille Lacs County had 19, Todd County had 16 and Wadena County had 11. Bengtson said Brainerd has seen a higher number of patients than the other counties because it has a larger population.
Bengtson said today the hospital has breast cancer navigators that help make the breast cancer treatment process go more smoothly for the patient. Bengtson said St. Joseph's also recently hired a lymphedema specialist. Bengtson said lymphedema can be common in breast cancer patients. Patients may get lymphedema after a lymph node dissection, surgery or radiation therapy.
Buxton said the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Brainerd Lakes has made an impact on the Brainerd community. She said that 75 percent of the money raised stays in the community. Buxton encourage people to support breast cancer and if they want to volunteer or get involved they can call her at 829-6205.
There also is a breast cancer survivor support group that meets on the second Friday of the month at 11:30 a.m. at St. Joseph's and on the second Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. at St. Joseph's.
JENNIFER STOCKINGER may be reached at jennifer.stockinger@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5851.
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