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Davis Four: (left to right) Brittany, Kim, Kaylee, Breanna.

•October 5, 2016•

Shelbyville native Kim Davis had her first mammogram at 39 years old. The last thing she expected was to hear that she needed a biopsy.

Because a biopsy indicated that it was ADH (Atypical Ductal Hyperplasia) a possible precancerous condition, the atypical cells were removed. Three years later, a mammogram revealed the same type of cells in the other breast. Kim lobbied her surgeon for a prophylactic mastectomy, but her surgeon dissuaded her from taking such a radical step, citing her young age, no known risk factors for breast cancer and the expense of the surgery, since insurance wouldn’t cover the cost. They continued to watch it closely.

The following year, a tumor (referred to as “ER/PR positive”) appeared in her right breast, so Kim’s doctors agreed to a radical mastectomy and prophylactic mastectomy of the left breast followed by breast reconstruction. They were all surprised to find two tumors of a different type in her left breast. Typed as “HER 2 Neu,” the tumors were considered stage 1 cancer, for which chemotherapy was required.

Thinking back on the moment when she learned she had cancer, Kim said, “‘You have cancer’ are hard words to hear, but (Sarah Bush Lincoln Oncologist) Dr. (Adbur) Shakir held my hand when he told me and made me feel like he was going to take care of me. I can’t imagine being told that awful news by anyone else. He was so thoughtful and compassionate. I looked into his eyes, and I knew I could trust him. He gave me hope.”     Login or Subscribe to read the rest of this story.