‘2-0, baby. No rematch, please'
Sandy Wirtel Kutey of Prairie Village, Kansas, a lawyer in the the child abuse and neglect field, is fighting breast cancer.“I had two separate cases of breast cancer, 23 years apart. I was 23 the first time (I was) diagnosed. At 46, I noticed that things had improved so much treatment-wise. I'm still me, fake breasts and all, but I am forever changed by the fears I faced — especially after the second diagnosis. The kindnesses I was shown and the recognition of life after cancer was so very sweet.
“I made phone calls to friends who had knowledge or connections with the medical community, asking what they would do. I got good advice and pursued it. Cost freaked me out but became more of a factor the further into treatment I got. When I started seeing what my Lupron shots cost, for example, I questioned the doctor about necessity and possibly delaying them. She understood and listened when it wouldn't compromise my health.”
Sandy’s six words to describe her cancer experience are “2-0, baby. No rematch, please.” Share your six words here.
Sandy’s words, which were shared digitally through Tell KC, have been lightly edited for clarity.
As part of a local reporting project around the upcoming Ken Burns documentary series, Cancer: The Emperor of All Maladies, KCPT presents Cancer in KC.
We want to learn more about how cancer affects our community. How has cancer impacted your life? Share your story.
Close-up of Sandy's eyes after most of her chemo infusions. She writes, "I was down to my last eyelash and hoping to keep just that last one."
Photo by Sandy Wirtel Kutey, submitted