McDaniels Shares Her Key to a Positive Outcome
Ellen Keaton
The Ashland Beacon
Every October we all see the commercials, hear the public service announcements…it’s written into many of our favorite television programs…October is breast cancer awareness month…early detection is the key. The color pink is everywhere, BUT no one ever really thinks it could happen to them. One in every eight women will hear this diagnosis in their lifetime. This is the story of Kim McDaniels…a mom, daughter, sister, and friend that has faced those words and has overcome.
McDaniels was no stranger to the effects cancer could have on a family. There was a vast history of cancer in her mother’s side of the family as well as her father’s. She had lost her mother to cancer and several aunts and other family members. McDaniels admitted, “I just thought a lot of it was because so many people smoked back then…. it’s not going to happen to me…it’s probably because they all just smoked.” However, with this knowledge she and her doctor were very proactive, and she started having mammograms at around the age of 35.
Due to the history of cancer in her family, her doctor wanted to do genetic testing but at the time her insurance would not cover the cost of the testing. She continued, “The testing was very expensive, and I thought I can’t do that. I have four kids and our other expenses, so I didn’t do it then.”
Fast forward to 2019 because she was aware of her increased risk, McDaniels had her yearly mammogram in March, and everything looked good. One September morning she woke up and felt a sharp pain in her right breast. “That’s when I felt something that felt like a hard rock in there. I went to my husband and asked if I was crazy…do you feel that too? He did.” She continued, “I was crazy busy with two kids at home and two kids in college. They were busy in school and sports, and I was working full time as a nurse….so I just kind of ignored it.”
Her husband, Jeremiah McDaniels, just kept insisting she get to the doctor and be checked but it was going to be several months before she could get in. According to McDaniels, he would tell her every day, “You need to get that checked…Kim, this worries me.” She shared that, “He really aggravated me to death over it…which was good.”
During this time, she was working as a nurse for Dr. Cooper, who was a dermatologist in the area. McDaniels knew that Dr. Cooper did full body exams and found cancers many times. “I knew she would know, and she checked it for me and decided I needed an ultrasound and mammogram and was able to order it for me. I was able to go the very next day. The radiologist walked in and told me it was cancer.”
It was now October and due to the messaging for breast cancer awareness it was extremely busy and going to be nearly three weeks before she could get in for a biopsy. However, due to the family history of cancer Dr. Cooper persisted and called Dr. Mary Lengenza and explained the urgency. She was able to get her within a few days. The biopsy revealed it was ductile carcinoma, triple negative, 2.5 grade 3, a very aggressive breast cancer. McDaniels said, “I was really aggravated because I just had a mammogram six months ago…why didn’t it show it then!” She was told that due to the aggressiveness of this type of cancer, it probably was not there six months prior.
With a cancer diagnosis the insurance would now cover the genetic testing. This revealed that Kim was positive for the ATM gene. Those with a faulty ATM gene are more likely to develop breast cancer as well as other cancers such as pancreatic, ovarian, prostate, colon, and skin.
Chemo began the first of November and would continue for the next six months. It was now 2020 and the early days of Covid. Even though she had opted for a double mastectomy with reconstruction, reconstructive surgery was not allowed at this time. Instead, she had a lumpectomy, and all the lymph nodes were checked to be sure additional chemo was not needed. Finally in June when surgeries were allowed McDaniels completed her plan of treatment with the mastectomy and reconstruction.
Even though it has been five years since her diagnosis in 2019, McDaniels still to this day becomes very emotional when talking about the strain it put on her husband and children dealing with her diagnosis. “It was very hard for all of them. My daughter was in college at Morehead and wanted to come home to help take care of me, but I wouldn’t let her. I am so thankful to my husband and kids; they were an amazing support to me.” Through tears she continued. “But the hardest and saddest part about all of this is that all of my children carry this stupid gene and are at risk for other cancers.”
For those with a triple negative cancer diagnosis, the risk of the cancer returning within five years is nearly 40% with the peak reoccurrence typically around three years. Today McDaniels is four years post treatment, and her cancer is in remission, and she is looking forward to April 1, 2025, when she reaches her five-year mark. McDaniels is very optimistic that her cancer will stay in remission at this point.
She says there is one positive that has come from this for her family. “Because I found out I had the positive ATM gene, many of my cousins got genetic testing. Several of them have been diagnosed with breast cancer and others opted that they have their breast removed as a preventative measure.”
As a breast cancer survivor McDaniels urges everyone to be vigilant…. men and women. “Early detection is the key to a positive outcome. I give all the glory to God for opening all the right doors for us and helping us make good decisions and most of all for his healing.”
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