121: Deb Krier survived Stage IV HER2+ breast cancer, then survived skin cancer and thyroid cancer.

The unstoppable Deb Krier survived Stage IV HER2+ breast cancer, basal cell carcinoma and papillary thyroid cancer, enduring 33 surgeries.

 

In 2015, Deb Krier of Mapleton, Georgia, went in for a routine mammogram.  She had no idea that would be start of a lengthy cancer journey.  After the procedure, she was asked to return to the clinic.  Although the mammogram did not reveal a lump or a bump, it did reveal tiny flecks known called microcalcifications.  Next up for Deb, were two needle biopsies, known as stereotactic biopsies.  Both came back negative.  Even though Deb was diagnosed Stage Zero, doctors called for an MRI.  Viewing the results, the surgeon suggested some lymph nodes be removed.

 

The surgeon was stunned when of twelve removed lymph nodes eight were positive, and just like that, Deb went from Stage Zero to Stage Three.  This necessitated a visit to an oncologist.

 

Deb Krier and her oncologist decided to chemotherapy, then surgery, then radiation treatment.  They also agreed on a massive chemotherapy regimen.  Deb cannot name any of them, but there were no less than eight drugs in her chemo cocktail.  She had a port put in her shoulder, and her initial chemotherapy session lasted eight hours.

 

There were complications from Deb’s chemotherapy regimen.  It caused damage to her colon, resulting in septic shock.  This required emergency, life-saving surgery on her colon.  She also suffered hair loss, brain fog and fatigue. 

 

Next up was the surgery, and Deb opted for a double mastectomy without reconstruction decision she felt was the right decision at the time, and still does.  She said she no longer wanted to worry about her breasts and wanted them both gone even the cancer existed in only one.  She also didn’t like the idea of “foreign objects’ being put into her body.

 

Meanwhile, when Deb experienced pain in her ribcage and the test came back as “inconclusive,” doctors changed her diagnosis to Stage IV, so that they give it the highest level of treatment. 

 

From all her surgeries, Deb could look at herself and see lots of scars, but when she looks at them, she realizes without the scars, she wouldn’t be alive.

 

However, cancer was not done with Deb.  In 2021, while visiting her primary care physician, she pointed out a sore on her arm.  Deb was referred to a dermatologist, who conducted a biopsy and said showed basal cell carcinoma.  Deb said it was a very small patch, easily burned off.  She still sees a dermatologist once every six months.

 

Then in 2023, Deb Krier was diagnosed with a third cancer, papillary thyroid cancer.  She told her doctor she would have a spasm.  The doctor ran a CT scan, and it showed lesions on her thyroid.  After more tests and shots and biopsies, she learned she had papillary thyroid cancer.  There were two tumors, but they were caught so early that the removal of Deb’s thyroid was relatively easy.

 

By way of advice, Deb Krier reminds anyone diagnosed with cancer that they are not alone.  She also advises one diagnosed with cancer to do plenty of research and to always be their own advocate.

 

Additional Resources:

 

Deb’s website: www.tryingnottodie.LIVE