Local Cancer Survivor Wears Pink to Save Lives

When resident Jill Bettenhausen faces the sunrise every morning, she feels like she's unwrapping a gift.

"Every day is a new day that I feel blessed to have," she said. "I try and live it to the fullest."

In March of 2010, Bettenhausen was diagnosed with breast cancer. She recently celebrated her one year anniversary of being cancer free. She sat down with Patch to share her story of struggles, triumphs and helping other breast cancer sufferers fight for their lives.

Diagnosis Day

The minute they told me I had cancer, everything stopped. At first I cried a lot. In a day or two I pulled it together. I began to research about it and talk with other women who went through breast cancer. My family and I focused on how we were going to get rid of this.

Words of Wisdom

First of all, you need a good group of doctors. I went to the Lynn Sage Comprehensive Breast Center at Northwestern. When they saw the films, they knew and were already preparing me. Health care is key. The doctors worked really well with me. They gave me a book an inch thick full of information so that I could make an educated and personal decision.

Some women don't want a mastectomy, they would rather have a lumpectomy. Being on the younger side I didn't want to leave any cancer. Once I made my decision, I felt good about it and don't have any regrets. I had a double mastectomy last May, with reconstruction.  

Finding Support

I was diagnosed on a Friday, I was at the Cancer Support Center in Mokena by the following Wednesday. They were awesome. They not only have volunteers—and some of them have gone through this—but there is also a whole library of information. I found out about genetic testing and other testing that isn't always offered. My other support came from my husband, David, who has been my rock.

Surgery and Beyond

My surgery wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I was home the next day. My husband and I took a short walk around the neighborhood. I also had friends, family and co-workers that went above and beyond. Because I was not allowed to use my arms a lot, a friend of mine created a meal plan for me. So between family, friends and co-workers, they brought different meals to my house until I got better. Cards and visitors came all the time; it would brighten my day. It's taught me a lot ... to go that extra mile when you see someone struggle.

Just Let it Go

My big message is early detection. I wear my pink shirts a lot to send a message. A lot of people think it's an older woman's disease but it's not. I push all of my friends to get mammograms either in person or on Facebook. I'm always telling women get your yearly exam and do self checks—they are just as important. My cancer was discovered by a mammogram, you couldn't even feel it. … We've got a lot of policies made by insurance companies saying a woman doesn't need a mammogram until she's 50. I think that's too late. Women need to get screened earlier, I say in your 30's. Surely by the time you're in your 40's, you should be screened every year. It all boils down to the faster you catch it, the better your outcome. If you wait, a possible tumor keeps growing and you'll have bigger problems in the end.  

I join groups such as Pink Week to bring awareness. My favorite site is Beyond the Boobie Trap. Every day the women online are so supportive. I've offered to help other women going through what I went through. Some have depression that takes over and they don't want help from anyone. I tell them it's going to be OK. You have more strength than you think you do. You do a lot of praying. One of the best pieces of advice someone gave me is, worrying doesn't change anything. That was huge for me. ... I could sit and worry all day but then I would be missing out on life, with my kids and having fun. To me that was the best thing that kept me going, just let it go.

How to Help

The "I Hope You Dance" Charity Dinner Dance will be held tonight at 6 p.m. at Georgio's in Orland Park. Sponsored by Stage Door Dance Academy in Oak Forest, it will benefit the Safstrom Children Education Fund in loving memory of Kim Papala. Papala was a single mother to a girl who dances at Stage Door. Tickets are still available. Call 708-687-7418 for more information.