Kara's Story

Triumphing Over Breast Cancer — Kara's Story

My name is Kara Press, and I am a breast cancer survivor. 

I was diagnosed in 2020. At that time, I was working as an RN for TidalHealth OB/GYN. I felt the lump — jagged, hard, fixed — in my left breast, and I requested diagnostic imaging. The lump was not visible on my mammogram — the year prior, my mammogram was normal — and only slightly visible on my sonogram.

I was fortunate to be scheduled with Dr. David Sechler following this imaging for a biopsy. Within two weeks, I was diagnosed as a Triple Negative Breast Cancer patient, and my treatment plan was chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, respectively. Dr. Sechler, in his true-to-form gentlemanly self, took all the time in the world to answer my questions, lay out options, explain the treatment plan, and arrange my first oncology appointment. He even reminded me with the option of reconstruction that there was an increased risk of infection with expanders and radiation.

Life became a whirlwind as a battery of tests were ordered, as well as scans of my brain and the rest of my body to evaluate if this had spread. I was scheduled for port insertion and lymph node biopsy. Lymph node positive, Stage 3.

"Cancer is a battle. It's not just physical; it's holistic and it goes after your mind, body and spirit...I knew I had to surrender control, but not hope."

My first chemotherapy treatment was March 13, 2020, the first official day of the COVID pandemic. TidalHealth’s oncology nurses provided the best care. They are truly a special breed. I had what is known as "The Red Devil" and Taxol for 16 total treatments, had two weeks off and then underwent a double mastectomy with lymph node removal on Sept. 20, 2020, with Dr. Sechler.

When I healed enough from surgery, I began radiation therapy. Turns out, I had a gene variant that made me susceptible to radiation toxicity. If I had expanders, I am certain I would have battled a terrible infection. I suffered severe burns and had to stop treatment twice, finishing in December 2020. I was done.

Cancer is a battle. It's not just physical; it’s holistic and it goes after your mind, body and spirit. I firmly believe in Jesus, and after losing a friend to this disease I knew I had to surrender control, but not hope. Not only are you not prepared to enter treatment, leaving treatment suddenly becomes a whole new fear. What now? I had tremendous support at that time and am eternally grateful for it.

With cancer, there is always a chance of recurrence. With TNBC, the saying goes “five to survive,” with chances of recurrence highest in the first five years. My pathology from my mastectomy on Sept. 2, 2020, showed what is called PCR, Pathological Complete Response, so the chemotherapy worked for me. That’s not always the case, so I feel incredibly blessed. I am celebrating three years cancer free on Sept. 2, 2023.

Today, I am honored to be working as a nurse at TidalHealth General Surgery with some exceptional surgeons: Dr. John Bartkovich, Dr. Nicholas Dudas, Dr. Melissa DeVito, Dr. John Reilly, Dr. David Sechler and Dr. Gopal Kowdley.

I am happy to share my story. If it offers hope in even the smallest way, then it wasn't all for nothing.

Today is a blessing.