Highlighting survivors: Audrey Kolbeck

Each week this month we have visited with a breast cancer survivor, and each story has been as unique as the woman herself.

This week Audrey Kolbeck has shared her story of survival and highlighted the importance of women taking the time to put themselves and their health first.

“You don’t get a grasp of it until you have it long or hard enough,” said Kolbeck of a survivors cancer journey.

Kolbeck has gone through the battle more than once, and each time has had a different effect on her personal outlook to battling the disease.

“The first time I was frightened, just like anyone else when they hear they have cancer. The second time, I was full of fight. I got angry and I fought,” she explained.

Kolbeck has taken her journey more uniquely than most. Not wanting to just go by what doctors had said, she became proactive in changing her lifestyle to help combat the cancer and not wholly rely on standard medical treatments.

She explained both her journeys, the back and forth, what life was before, during and after the cancer. Though it was her words of encouragement for women to look past the everyday costs and mind set of putting others and money first.

She explained how money, whether you have millions or not; can be a direct enemy to a woman putting herself first. Especially those that may have financial struggles.

“When your ‘purse’ is tight, you tend to put off the important things. Important things like going for check ups, or getting to the doctor. I learned this the interesting way,” said Kolbeck.

She went on and explained how that ‘normalized’ train of thought that most woman seem to have, had in fact been one that she had at the time of her first diagnosis.

During the first diagnosis, she said it was a mammogram that picked up a small lump, though it wasn’t worrying at the time it was the cost of treatments that combined with the low risk that had her not follow up.

The likelihood of cancer wasn’t there, hence her message of putting yourself first.

In some cases, costs of insurance and also the gap costs play a lot into the determination to getting care. Women by nature tend to put others first and think that if it isn’t important enough then they can put off their own care.

Though when the lump grew, it was then too late in a sense. She had in fact gotten breast cancer, then had to take action.

“It was a strong thing to go through,” said Kolbeck.

Once cleared of the cancer it wouldn’t be until she contracted viral meningitis that would see the cancer return in a scar located on her back.

“I remember when I was told I had cancer again, I got so angry that it fueled me to be pro-active,” she said.

“I already ate and lived fairly healthy, but as I looked at alternative health options, I realized I could do a lot more,” she added.

From there on, Kolbeck looked into ways that offered healthier treatments to her batting the disease. Healthier options such as healthier living can improve your chances by tenfold, she expressed; especially with her outcomes she certainly believes this is the case.

Reading books, and researching what she can do and what practices are best to battle the cancer from a more holistic side of things.

“My diet changed, now I eat 90 percent vegetables and drink more water than what I used to,” said Kolbeck.

She took charge of her health, and strongly believes that diet is a key aspect to having turned around her health.

“You need to change something in your life; and everybody’s change will be different,” she emphasized.

Kolbeck also said she utilized many aspects such as different organizations that can help with funds to offset costs.

She was able to obtain $1,000 from St. Patrick’s hospital in Missoula. She was advised about the grant and said that it was something that was of great benefit financially for her and being able to pay bills.

“Don’t be afraid to go and look for other alternatives, be healthy and be proactive in your fight against cancer. Then ensure you have health insurance, it is so important,” said Kolbeck.