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Pink is Powerful

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NolteThere’s a history of breast cancer on Annette Nolte’s father’s side of the family.

“The chances were high that I could have breast cancer at some point in my life,” said Annette. “I never thought the diagnosis would come when I was 28 and pregnant.”

Surgery, ASAP
On May 16, 2013, Annette was diagnosed with Stage 2, Grade 2 breast cancer.

“I’m glad I didn’t have to choose between continuing the pregnancy and receiving treatment,” she said. “It was a big shock that I could do chemotherapy while pregnant. There is a risk of lower birth weight, but that’s something we can address.”

Annette chose to have a full mastectomy of her right breast with general surgeon Dr. Robin Hape. Surgery was five days later.

“Besides previous cesarean sections, this was my first surgery,” said Annette. “I was more terrified of the surgery than I was of my diagnosis. I had nothing to worry about. I was so well taken care of.”

“I knew Dr. Hape previously, and had all the confidence in the world in him,” said Annette’s mother, Diane Shervold. “His skill, compassion and the way he cares for people is tremendous.”

Annette, her boyfriend, Wally Walseth, and her boys, Parker, six, and Ayden, four, moved in with her parents for a bit following surgery. Her mom, a registered nurse, was able to lend a hand caring for her.

“It’s been a journey,” said Diane. “It’s a journey a mother never thinks she’s going to walk with her daughter. Annette has been the one to keep us positive through all this.”

Chemo Thursdays
On June 20, Dr. Hape placed Annette’s chemotherapy port and she received her first treatment. Annette will receive 16 treatments over 20 weeks.

Before beginning treatment at Altru Cancer Center, Annette’s oncologist, Dr. Daniel Walsh, ordered an eConsult with Mayo Clinic.

“What Dr. Walsh recommended for my treatment plan was exactly what came back in the eConsult,” said Annette. “It gave us a lot of peace, knowing we were doing the right thing here at home. It was priceless.”

Thankful to have avoided travel costs by staying in Grand Forks, Annette is doing well with treatment.

“My family and I joke that the nurses give me Gatorade instead of chemo,” she said. “I look forward to Thursdays, because the staff treat me so well. I’ve brought the boys to a few treatments and they get spoiled. Parker and Ayden see it’s not a scary place and that the doctors and nurses are working to help mommy get better. I think it’s helped filter worry and answer questions.”

Pink Connections
While neither Annette nor Diane was a huge fan of the color pink prior to Annette’s diagnosis, they now love it.

“Having breast cancer connects you worldwide with other women,” said Annette. “It’s powerful to see pink everywhere during October and to know others are behind you. It keeps me going.”

“There was a community benefit for Annette in August, and the outpouring of support from the community was incredible,” said Diane. “We gave out pink ‘Team Annette’ bracelets. It is so heartwarming to see people wearing them.”

Milestone Dates
On October 31, Annette will receive her last chemo treatment. Eleven days later, Dr. Tana Setness Hoefs will deliver her third son, Cade, via cesarean section.

“We’ll celebrate pretty loudly on Halloween, but even louder when Cade is born,” said Annette.

In December, Annette will begin steps to have her other breast removed, as well as reconstruction. By having a full mastectomy, the chance of her cancer returning is very low. Annette will also begin a year’s course of Herceptin to ward off cancer growth elsewhere in her body.

“This whole situation is really ironic,” she said. “I always wanted three children. After the third, I planned to have a prophylactic double mastectomy to prevent or reduce my risk of breast cancer. I didn’t think cancer would get to me first.”

“When Cade is older and realizes what he and I have been through together, I think it will be really powerful for him,” said Annette. “I’m not in denial that I have breast cancer. I’ve had such tremendous support from my family, friends and care team at Altru. I know I’m going to be okay. 

Diane wears pink in honor of Annette. Who do you wear pink for?


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