THE COURIER
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THINK PINK
www.wcfcourier.com
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2015
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PAGE H1
Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Oct. 1-31
Positive attitude Beyond Pink Team support helps breast cancer patient HOLLY HUDSON holly.hudson@wcfcourier.com
In the last few years, Kristi Eastman, 46, of Waterloo, has faced enough challenges for a lifetime. Yet she still finds the time and strength to help others. The married mother of three was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2011. After undergoing a double mastectomy in June of that year, six months of chemotherapy and six weeks of radiation, Eastman felt like she was making progress. “I was doing great,” she said. In fact, she helped host a fundraiser for the Beyond Pink Team, a local nonprofit organization that provides breast cancer prevention, education, support and advocacy for comprehensive, quality care in the Cedar Valley and surrounding communities.
“We knocked it out of the park,” she said. Then, in October 2013, she was diagnosed with multiple tumors on the left side of her brain. “I wasn’t feeling right,” she said. “It was a stressful time in my life ... and I was still undergoing breast reconstruction. So, I went in one day.” Eastman, who was seeing an oncologist in Iowa City, underwent some basic tests and the tumors were found. “I had brain radiation and came through that good,” she said. “But in April 2014, another tumor was found. I was walking with a dear friend — it was my daughter’s graduation party in two weeks — and I had a seizure. “I’ve had lots of seizures since then,” she said. “I can predict them a little bit now. I’ve been having them much more frequently the
COURTESY PHOTO
Kristi Eastman continues to battle cancer with the support of her family, from left, Charlie, 17; Kristi; husband Todd; Lauren, 19; and Will, 13. last three months. Sometimes it’s once a week, sometimes it’s a few a week, and sometimes I can go three weeks without having one.” She had another surgery in February of this year. Tumors were removed, but additional tumors were found in her lymph nodes. She once again started
chemotherapy in June, but didn’t respond well to the treatment. Even with her ongoing medical issues — she travels to Iowa City once a month — and not being able to drive, Eastman works a number of part-time jobs and keeps a positive attitude. “I have a huge support system of
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family and friends,” she said. And the Beyond Pink Team contacted her in June. “They were reaching out to see if there was anything they could do for me,” Eastman said. “I am very fortunate my family can eat,
See EASTMAN, page H2
319.272.7080 WheatonIowa.org/3D
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