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Two friends, two journeys
Kelly and Dana would face breast cancer together.
But because they had different forms of the disease,
they would each need a custom treatment plan.
Dana’s cancer was treatable with surgery alone.
“I just kept hoping my cancer was like hers,”
Kelly says.
But Kelly’s cancer was more serious: invasive
ductal carcinoma. Her treatment plan would need
to be more aggressive and would include chemo-
therapy. “I told her I had to one-up her with my
cancer.”
‘They didn’t let me give up’
First, Kelly met with Francesca Hoehne, MD, at The
AIS Cancer Center at San Joaquin Community Hos-
pital (SJCH). Hoehne specializes in the treatment of
breast disease, particularly cancer therapy.
Kelly talked over her options with Hoehne and
opted to have surgery along with other recom-
mended therapies. Kelly had all her treatment,
which included surgery, chemotherapy and drug
infusions, at The AIS Cancer Center.
The cancer center became a central part of her
life—a caring place she knew she could count on.
“From the nurses to the doctors, the entire staff has
made me feel wonderful, including Kelly [Giblin]
with Lemonade Locks Wig Boutique.”
“Everyone cheers you up when you are down,
finds time to listen to you and sometimes will even
dance to get you to smile,” she laughs. “I’m so glad
I had them on my team. They didn’t let me give up.”
Kelly, a mother of three adult children, says she
had a lot of people on her side. “The support of
my husband, family, friends and co-workers was
outrageous.” Her co-workers took time each
week to send a card signed by everyone,
including funny comments to cheer her up. “I
really looked forward to those cards!”
Aaron let his support show in a can’t-miss
way—by dyeing his beard pink for Breast Cancer
Awareness Month in October. “He waited until
after our son got married that month and then
dyed his beard,” Kelly says. “Everyone got a kick
out of it. It was a great conversation starter.”
Knowing what matters
Kelly’s treatment, particularly chemotherapy, was
draining, and some weeks were tougher than others.
But it helps her appreciate her life now, she says.
She sees things differently too. “It’s the little
things that used to get me upset—that I realize
now don’t really matter,” she says. “I’ve prayed to
God every night since I was diagnosed. I didn’t do
that before.”
She’s also grateful for every birthday. “I don’t
care how old I am,” she says with a laugh. “I’m
proud of birthdays.” Kelly turned 42 in February.
Kelly still has drug infusions at The AIS Cancer
Center to help her stay cancer-free. Her mission
now is to share her story with others to raise their
awareness. “If sharing my story encourages one
woman to do a self-exam or get a mammogram,
I’ve made a difference.”
For the love of her life:
Kelly Sanders receives
treatment at The AIS Cancer Center at SJCH.
The AIS Cancer Center at San Joaquin Community Hospital offers comprehensive
care. Visit us at
www.sjch.us/cancercenter .On the green together:
Aaron and Kelly Sanders
posing for a quick shot in the middle of the game.
Real men wear pink:
Aaron Sanders shows his
support for his wife and other breast cancer
survivors by dyeing his beard pink.