WHEATLAND — What she thought was her death sentence, resulted in a journey of survival, hope, and a newfound network of community support and love. “At the first diagnosis, it’s difficult to imagine having a positive attitude. It’s devastating,” said cancer survivor Stephani Madsen of Wheatland. “My sister-in-law died tragically of breast cancer at the age of 40, and when I got the diagnosis I thought:  ‘This is my death sentence.’ My very worst fear was getting breast cancer because of Colleen (Madsen) who passed away only two years after her diagnosis. I was terrified.” 

Having no genetic or family history of cancer of any kind, Madsen was perplexed by the diagnosis, which came suddenly after waking in the middle of the night in severe pain. Within two months of the onset of the breast pain, Madsen found herself being treated for the worst:  an extremely aggressive type of breast cancer. 

“I couldn’t understand where the pain was coming from, or why it was there; it led me ultimately to have a mammogram just to be sure, as I had always been told that there is no pain associated with breast cancer. This is simply not true.” The diagnostic test revealed a fast-growing cancer. “I’m very glad I went at that point, as I had missed a scheduled mammogram due to COVID restrictions,” said Madsen. 

“Ironically, that was good, as the cancer would not have been found during that time; that’s how aggressive it was.” Madsen underwent a mammogram, a biopsy, and ultrasound in one day, which then began the waiting game for diagnosis. 

“Waiting was horrible. Once we had the diagnosis, I had surgery a month later, and began the first round of “the bad chemo” a month after that,” recalled Madsen. Treatments then became a part of everyday life, as chemotherapy was scheduled once-a-week for four weeks in Cheyenne with hematologist/oncologist Dr. Baticini at Cheyenne Regional Medical Center, followed by treatments every two weeks which were often followed by injections to help boost red blood cells, as chemotherapy is notorious for killing red blood cells.

Currently, Madsen visits Dr. Baticini every four months for a check-up to determine if she is cancer-free. “In January, those visits will be reduced to every six months, then once-a-year,” added Madsen. The goal is to be cancer-free for five years; even though medication is prescribed for 10 years, five years is the goal to be declared “cancer-free”. 

“This experience has changed me completely,” Madsen said. “I’m so much more present. I value my family and friends so much more, and I have definitely changed for the better. It’s very emotional and you feel that your life is a wreck as you go into the unknown. A lot of people can be understandably bitter. For me, I am just grateful for every single day.” Madsen went on to describe the love and compassion her family showed her as they all lived through the terrifying experience of life and death each day. “My husband is amazing; my kids got me through those really bad days.”

Moving forward into hopeful days, Madsen advises women to not disregard the importance of having a mammogram. In fact, schedule it right now. 

“No one really wants to have a mammogram. They are no fun. But it sure beats the alternative.” She encourages those with a diagnosis to reach out to family and friends, finding a network of support both medical and emotional. “Sharing our story is so important. Knowing that you are not alone makes a difference. I hope that, because of my experience, I can help someone else in answering questions or providing a listening ear. There were so many people who were and continue to be so good to me, and I want to return that support.”

Madsen added that the community of Wheatland and all the surrounding communities rallied around her and her family providing all kinds of support with no questions asked. “This community — the county — is amazing when people are sick. They are so supportive and want to do anything for you,” Madsen said. “You really have no choice but to rely on your family and friends because there is nothing for you to do about it. The very minute I found out about the cancer, a group in Glendo, the Marge Cares Foundation, sent funds to our family saying simply:  ‘Do what you need to do.’”

The Marge Cares Foundation was created by Glendo resident Marge Wilson who passed away in 2011 from breast cancer, and one of her wishes before passing was to set up a fund to assist patients in small rural communities for travel and other expenses that are not covered by insurance. The fund has assisted many seriously ill people in Glendo and its surrounding communities. 

“There is no oncologist in Platte County, and no available cancer treatments,” said Madsen. “Marge didn’t want people with a diagnosis to worry about how they were going to live or how they were going to afford expenses associated with medical treatment. I will give back to that group as much as I can and return that support.” Marge Wilson was a supporter of the Glendo Volunteer Ambulance Service and it is this group that continues to raise funds so that the Marge Cares Foundation can continue to assist for many years to come. All donations are accepted at GVAS, PO Box 404, Glendo, WY 82213, and payable to Marge Cares Foundation.