Meet the Models: Kelly Benson

Kelly Benson, currently in treatment

Breast cancer. Not me – it’s not in my family. Everything changed on 1/28/18 when I found “the lump” in my armpit. On 2/2/18, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I’m a mom of twin boys who are now 8. I work full time. This wasn’t supposed to happen, but it did. But now,  I’m cancer free. I had a mastectomy and 14 lymph nodes removed on 3/2/18. The surgery was a success! I was ready to start chemotherapy 2 weeks later, then got the best news of this journey – I didn’t need chemo! I couldn’t believe it. I even got a 2nd opinion to be sure. I endured 30 rounds of radiation, and started hormone therapy. I’m still doing the hormone therapy, and now have to decide whether or not to remove my ovaries, as the cancer was estrogen positive. I also still need to have reconstructive surgery. I am looking to have this done in late winter/early spring of 2019. I wasn’t able to ski with my family in 2018, and I won’t let cancer take that away from me again in 2019. As you can see, I’m still in the middle of this,. I have many emotions every single day….triumph, fear, sadness, happiness, gratefulness. It’s a roller coaster that I’d really like to get off of, but need to finish this ride as strong as I can. But in the end, if I’m not okay, then it’s not the end. I will continue to fight, and be strong. I do this for me. I do this for my family. I do this for all the others that have to go through this.