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Sergeant wins in battle with breast cancer

  • Published
  • By Airman Mindy Bloem
  • 43rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. (AFPN) --  An NCO with the 43rd Aeromedical Dental Squadron here was dealt a life-altering blow when she was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 28.

"What is ironic is if you have no family history of cancer, they (doctors) don't recommend mammograms," said Staff Sgt. Nicole McKinstry. "Fortunately, I had a persistent doctor whose gut feelings told her I needed them, and she fought for me to have them. It saved my life." 

The breast cancer diagnosis came on the heels of her return from a deployment and surprised both her and her family due to the lack of symptoms, she said. 

"My family was in shock," she said. "It doesn't run in my family. Neither my mother, grandmother or sisters have had breast cancer. 

"It got to the point we started going through our family history on both sides of the family. It's amazing what you don't know. One of my aunts had breast cancer in her 70s, but other than that there was no history. " 

Sergeant McKinstry admitted being upset at first and asked, "Why me?" She struggled with anger and frustration early on and grieved for those who didn't have the money to afford the cancer treatment she received, or the family support system she had in place.
 
"My family was my greatest support system, along with my squadron at the time, the Pulaski Cancer Care team and my church," Sergeant McKinstry said. 

During Sergeant McKinstry's battle with cancer her outlook stayed positive, even after she began to lose her hair. 

"The only time we all cried was when I was losing my hair," she said. "One night my brothers shaved all my hair off, and then shaved their own hair, and that was it.

"It was kind of fun being bald," she joked. "I had no bad-hair days. There are so many wigs out there. I was able to change my hairstyle and color by the week." 

While some might find fighting a dangerous disease would cause them to question their faith, this was not the case for Sergeant McKinstry who said it only strengthened her faith and resolve. 

"Faith is what kept me grounded," she said. "Going through cancer made my faith deeper and my relationship with God stronger. Faith gives you hope." 

She also credits the love of family and friends with helping her realize she had not finished her life's purpose and to keep fighting. 

"My mother, Sharon Smith, never allowed me to be depressed about dealing with cancer. She told me God will not allow anything to happen to me I couldn't handle, and she was right. I also had people all over praying for me."

Although dealing with breast cancer was difficult, Sergeant McKinstry now has an added depth and understanding which she may never have had if she did not go through her illness. 

"It has made me more compassionate for others who are sick and those in need," she said. "So many people supported me and my family that I try to give back any time I can. What you do for others comes back to you." 

Sergeant McKinstry gives back by volunteering to various organizations in the community and by donating through Combined Federal Campaign to breast cancer research. She is thankful for her new lease on life and feels there is hope for conquering this deadly disease. 

"I appreciate life so much more now that I realize how short and fragile it is, and with all the advances in medicine and technology with mammograms and breast MRIs, we can win this war on breast cancer," Sergeant McKinstry said. 

Sergeant McKinstry will be cancer free four years in December. 

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