Championed on round one: Local breast cancer survivor speaks out

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

According to the American Association of University Women, breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in Kentucky.

Upon diagnosis, the question that some may think is “will I survive?”

However, some take on the challenge fearlessly like Lynn Reker, a mother and wife. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in her 40s.

“I thought, ‘I got to live (for) my three kids,” said Lynn Reker, a breast cancer survivor in Bowling Green.

She said she felt a knot on her breast. Lynn’s concerned husband and dermatologist both told her to get checked.

“You don’t really notice it that much. All of a sudden, it’s there and you’re like oh my gosh what is this? And my husband said, “you need to get that checked,” she said. 

Lynn scheduled a doctor’s appointment and, on that day, received news that changed her world.

“I was kind of shocked. You just listen and you get as much information as you can,” she explained.

So, she formed a game plan to get on top of her health before her health got on top of her. Officially stepping in the ring for round one.

“You got to be very aggressive at that point, so I did a chemo; I didn’t have to do radiation. I did chemo. I wanted to be as aggressive as I could,” Lynn said.

She had a double mastectomy to prevent the cancer from spreading to mirroring tissue. She also changed her mindset from defeat to winner.

“I’m such a strong person in so many ways. You know you have to do what you got to do. Luckily, I had support from my husband and family and my parents. That helps a lot, family support helps you a lot to get through it,” Lynn said.

After over 16 months, she kicked cancer out of the ring, but she never put the gloves down and stayed on guard.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re free or not, you still go back and get checked all the time. So, I did all that until actually I didn’t have to go back anymore,” she said.

Her advice to those still in the ring facing breast cancer is to advocate for yourself in the health system.

“Positivity is the best thing to be. Research things, yes, but be positive because sitting down lisping around on the couch is not going to help you,” Lynn said.