Profound Change brings Profound Insight

A search within to find difficult answers

Edited by Lee Harper

The Amy Newland Agency represents American Family Insurance in Colorado Springs. An agent since 2014, Amy Newland moved here in 2020 — relocating her husband, her daughters, and her business. At the time of the move, her daughters were three years old and five days old. With all the chaos of relocation, she put off regular health check-ups, at a time when everyone’s routine health concerns gave way to global crises.

For some, health care delays are inconsequential; for others, it can be devastating. Amy explains, “I have a strong family history of breast cancer and in 2019, after (finding) a benign lump, I was referred to a specialist who recommended annual MRIs in addition to my yearly mammograms.”

So after receiving normal mammogram results in mid-2021, she pursued further testing just before the holidays. That report said something different — and not normal.

“The next couple days were filled with many prayers and disconcerting Google searches,” Amy says. “By the time my doctor reached out, I already had in my mind a game plan.”

Amy continues, “My biggest internal thought was my grandmother, who had a double mastectomy in the ‘50s after being diagnosed with cancer. She lived a beautiful life (to age 96), growing old with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. As a mother, I didn’t want to live in fear or be thinking about the potential of finding something worse with each future exam.”

What followed was months of biopsies and genetic testing, which revealed lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS).* The increased cancer risk, family history, and a second opinion gave Amy the information she needed to make important decisions.

“We began the request to my health insurance for a prophylactic double mastectomy,” Amy explains. “By June, I had a surgery date set for August 9. After six months of biopsies, waiting for results, filing for divorce, and the final approval for surgery, I felt relief — I was able to focus again.”

The struggle to remain positive left her feeling vulnerable. She learned to lean on those closest to her, and build stronger relationships and develop her support system.

She also learned “how surprisingly unsupportive some can be for a personal decision.” Amy continues, “Between trying to juggle my business, choosing to pursue a divorce, and remaining strong for my daughters, many days felt heavy. This last year alone I’ve been faced with several decisions about the future.”

Amy feels the knowledge and wisdom she’s gained through the lengthy process serve her well. She has new insight into how and what to prioritize in her life.

“Putting myself first — and pushing hard for something that I felt so strongly about — is one of the best gifts I’ve given myself and my daughters, as well as my business.” She concludes, “I’ve learned it’s important to give myself grace, take my time on big decisions, and weigh all outcomes. Some of the best things come from the most difficult decisions.”

*Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) is a type of breast change that is sometimes seen in a breast biopsy. In LCIS, cells that look like cancer grow in the lining of the milk-producing glands of the breast. According to the Mayo Clinic, the risk of breast cancer in women diagnosed with LCIS is thought to be approximately 20 percent. To put it plainly, for every 100 women diagnosed with LCIS, 20 will be diagnosed with breast cancer.