In June 2024, Rebecca walked into her first ever mammogram appointment – carrying more than just concern about a small, pebble-sized lump she had first noticed nearly a year earlier. Like many, Rebecca had spent years avoiding the doctor. Not because she didn’t care about her health – but because the fear of what she might find felt overwhelming.
“I lived in fear of the ‘what if,’” she shared. “But not enough to make an appointment.”
That changed with a push from close friends. She scheduled an annual exam with Jessica Schaefer, CNM, at Aurora Health Center – 84South. During that visit, the area was evaluated and Rebecca was encouraged to move forward with imaging right away.
She went to the Aurora Women’s Pavilion in West Allis for her mammogram and made a point to be honest about her anxiety from the start. After her screening, she was asked to stay for additional imaging, followed by an ultrasound. Based on what was seen, the radiologist recommended biopsies – and offered to complete them that same day. Because Rebecca had been open about her anxiety, there was concern that leaving might mean delaying care. Rebecca made the decision to stay.
She underwent three biopsies that day and a fourth shortly after. The results came quickly and were communicated within 24 hours. Unfortunately, what they found was not just one diagnosis, but several, including areas of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), a non-invasive, early form of breast cancer, alongside invasive ductal carcinoma and invasive lobular carcinoma, meaning the cancer cells had already moved beyond where they started. The pebble-sized lump she discovered was an additional precancerous site.
Within days, Rebecca was connected with Yovanka, her cancer nurse navigator, who helped coordinate next steps and guide her through a process that was suddenly moving very quickly. At the same time, Rebecca experienced a major life change – after 14 years with her employer, her position was eliminated. Looking back, she describes it differently than she did at the time. She notes that it unexpectedly gave her the flexibility to take the earliest appointments available and focus entirely on her care – something she had not truly done before.
From there, her care team formed. She established care with breast surgeon Dr. Jody Brehm, plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Harry Nayar and hematologist and oncologist Dr. Ubaid Nawaz.
As part of her pre-surgical workup, additional health conditions were identified, including type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol, which needed to be managed before surgery. She worked with endocrinologist Dr. Boby Theckedath to begin treatment and safely move forward.
Genetic testing did not identify a BRCA2 mutation, but her family history remained an important part of the overall picture. Rebecca’s mother and grandmother both had breast cancer twice – two different types – and other women in her family have a history of cancer as well.
In August 2024, Rebecca underwent a bilateral mastectomy with placement of tissue expanders, performed by Dr. Brehm and Dr. Nayar. Recovery was challenging at times, as it was her first surgery and there was a learning curve – both physically and emotionally. But she continued to push through.
Final pathology showed her cancers were Stage IB, with no lymph node involvement. Based on tumor characteristics, chemotherapy and radiation were not recommended.
Because her cancers were driven by hormones, Rebecca started ovarian suppression and endocrine therapy, designed to reduce the body’s ability to fuel cancer growth. The treatment brought side effects, leading her to explore supportive care through acupuncture with Heather Peterman, LAc, which helped her manage symptoms.
In July 2025, after tolerating treatment well, she made the decision to remove her ovaries and fallopian tubes with OB-GYN Dr. Kerry Katz, a step to further reduce hormone-driven risk moving forward. She credits Dr. Katz and her primary care physician, Dr. Drew Gunderson, for working together so diligently and communicating recommendations for her care with empathy and clarity.
The following year, Rebecca made a thoughtful decision about reconstruction. In February 2025, she chose to undergo DIEP flap surgery, using her own tissue rather than implants, to avoid the need for future replacement surgeries. Thankfully, her recovery continued to progress steadily.
Rehabilitation became an important part of her journey. Physical therapy helped her regain strength and mobility, while additional procedures – including integrative medicine, revision and reconstruction surgery, specialized scar treatments and medical tattooing – helped her feel more like herself again over time.
Today, Rebecca continues on endocrine therapy. She notes that some days are harder than others.
“There are days my joints ache, days I want to stay in bed entirely and other days I feel like I could run a marathon,” she said.
Interestingly enough – that last part is coming to fruition.
In April of this year, Rebecca joined Team Phoenix, Aurora Health Care’s fitness and education program in which multidisciplinary clinicians, triathlon coaches and volunteers support cancer survivors in regaining health and wellness after treatment. The program, which is funded by philanthropy, helps women in survivorship build lifelong habits around fitness, healthy living, continued connection with care teams and support from other survivors. What started as a step outside her comfort zone unexpectedly became something much more.
She is now training for a sprint-distance triathlon in July – swimming, biking and running alongside fellow survivors who understand her experience in a way few others can.
“They constantly remind you what you’re capable of,” she shared. “The women in this program are incredible. They’re motivating and genuine in a way that makes you immediately feel at home. One of the founders of Team Phoenix, Dr. Leslie Waltke, gives speeches that will leave you laughing and crying, reassuring and validating that you ARE an athlete and you CAN do anything you set your mind to. I can’t begin to thank Aurora enough for having a program designed with such thoughtfulness and care.”
Rebecca has one more revision planned for September 2026 and, this time around, feels confident and hopeful. “The care team I have had has been nothing short of incredible. Every single surgeon, anesthesiologist, surgical assistant, doctor, physician assistant, mammography and radiology tech, nurse, physical therapist, acupuncturist, registration team member, greeter – and every other role I didn’t mention – has been amazing. There isn’t a single person along my journey who hasn’t changed my life for the better. I now have scars that, when laid end to end, are longer than I am tall (I’m 5’1”!) and each scar tells a story. I wear these scars with pride. They gave me a second chance at life and I’m not about to waste it.”
Rebecca credits her support system as invaluable, especially her best friends, Spencer and Melissa, along with her family, who helped her through sleepless nights, encouraged her during the lows and held her up when she was weak.
Looking back, Rebecca is clear about how her experience has changed her. Recovery hasn’t always been easy. But through it all, Rebecca is grateful for the compassion she experienced at Aurora Health Care.
“I’m thankful that all of the teams I’ve crossed paths with have genuinely listened to my concerns and always had a plan to help me,” she said. “I’m over my medical anxiety now. If you don’t seek care, the consequences can be much more severe. Regular checkups are essential to take control of your health – don’t wait until it’s too late.”
Rebecca’s life changed the moment she found the courage to walk into that appointment and advocate for herself despite fear. Her journey is a powerful testimony of what can happen when you take that first step and are met with high-quality, compassionate care.
We are grateful to amplify her story, recognize her strength and support her as she continues her journey – including crossing the finish line with Team Phoenix this July.
How you can help
Cancer survivorship programs like Team Phoenix would not exist without the generosity of donors like you. Please make a gift today, and help survivors like Rebecca thrive.