With no family history of breast cancer on either side of her family, it came as a shock (and not a shock) when Kalli Banks, Licensing Specialist, found a lump on her left breast just before Christmas in 2016.
“Insurance won’t cover the brca gene test if there is no family history of ovarian and breast cancer,” said Banks. “I had a cyst that I always watched and self-checked in the shower. I started to feel something more there over time, and then one day it seemed like it had sunk.”
Banks went for a mammogram, and her fear was confirmed. On February 14, 2017, a batwing lumpectomy surgery was performed, and the lump was removed. The cancer was identified as stage two due to it’s size.
“It was a lot bigger than they thought it was going to be,” Banks recalled.
After surgery, Banks began radiation (not chemotherapy) 5 days a week for 6 weeks.
“I’ve never seen skin so purple,” Banks cringed as she remembered and shared the burning skin pain she endured. “After wearing ice packs everyday for over a month, I completed what was required post-surgery. “They gave me a t-shirt and clapped for me!” Banks shared proudly.
“I went to the Baylor Scott & White Women’s Imaging Center in McKinney,” said Banks. “Their oncology department is phenomenal! They kept me at peace- not worried or stressed.”
Banks shared that she tries to live life to the fullest and be a better person, thanks to this life altering diagnosis.
“Breast cancer is a big deal,” exclaimed Banks. “Mothers and wives die from this. Like so many, I put everyone before myself and didn’t prioritize scheduling regular mammograms.”
Banks proudly shared that she has learned the lesson of the importance of taking care of oneself. In honor of that, she is on chemo medicine, receives a mammogram once a year, visits her surgeon every year, bone density tests every 6 months, and may consider an infusion.
To celebrate nearly 5 years of cancer remission, Banks participated with her team, Pink Warriors of Hope, in the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Dallas More than Pink Walk this month.
“Once you hit that milestone, the chances of cancer returning decreases,” said Banks. “Although you can’t let your guard down. I just lost a high school friend to breast cancer who was in remission for 5 years, but her stage 4 cancer returned.
“Supporting and donating is important, because we need to find a cure.”
When Banks first found out about her breast cancer she turned to a Facebook group for guidance, advice, and support, as well as her friends and family.
“Tony (Kalli’s husband and Benchmark’s Funding Manager) was more private with this news in the beginning, but we still had so much support from the Benchmark Family and the company I was with at the time,” said Banks.
“My greatest takeaway thus far with this is to take care of yourself and go to the appointments you need to. Cancer or a health problem can sneak up on you, and it can be devastating.”
Banks shared that she lost her brother and dad at the ages of 45 & 46, and her mother passed 2 and a half years ago.
“Tony and Chase were my rocks through this, but I also have a “sister” friend named Tracie who I’ve known since we were in 3rd grade come up and be by my side through radiation,” said Banks.
“We have matching tattoos on our feet of the breast cancer ribbon and a sea turtle.”