Finding Strength Through Support
I live in South Haven with my husband, Bob. I’m 66 years old and I try to live a healthy, active lifestyle. I enjoy riding my bike, walking with friends and attending water exercise classes at Bronson Wellness Center three times a week. Part of living a healthy lifestyle includes seeing my primary care provider, Teresa Ansinn, NP, at Bronson South Haven Internal Medicine, and making sure I get regular breast screenings.
I have dense breast tissue, so mammograms and biopsies aren’t new to me. In the past, I was diagnosed with atypical lobular hyperplasia, or ALH. ALH is the development of precancerous cells. It means I have a high risk of developing breast cancer. So, when my routine mammogram in January 2025 led to another biopsy, I wasn’t surprised, but I was still anxious. Everyone in the room during my biopsy helped put me at ease. The team’s professionalism and care really stood out to me.
That biopsy confirmed my previous diagnosis: atypical lobular hyperplasia. I had been through a lumpectomy before, so I decided to meet with breast surgeon Dr. Mika Reschke first. Dr. Reschke reviewed my results and, because of my dense breast tissue, recommended an MRI. The MRI, followed by a second biopsy, confirmed more atypical lobular hyperplasia. With this development, Dr. Reschke ruled out a lumpectomy, suggesting instead a single mastectomy.
The news was unexpected. Choosing to have a mastectomy seemed like a big decision and I wasn’t sure how I wanted to proceed. Dr. Reschke was kind and thorough. She encouraged me to explore my options at the Bronson High Risk Breast Clinic in Kalamazoo before deciding.
There I met Jill Dunham, a nurse practitioner at the clinic. From the moment I walked in, I felt like I was in good hands. Jill took the time to walk me through my risk, the statistics and what a high-risk screening schedule would look like. She explained that alternating mammograms and MRIs every six months could allow me to monitor my health closely without jumping straight into surgery. Her knowledge and passion for women’s health made a huge difference. I left that appointment feeling informed, empowered and much less afraid.
I decided to begin high-risk surveillance and started taking Tamoxifen, a medicine that helps prevent breast cancer for people who have a high risk, like me. Thankfully, I’ve had minimal side effects and so far, I am doing well. The entire experience has been new, but the team at Bronson has made it so much easier. I truly believe that having the right people by your side can transform a scary situation into something manageable.
I want other women to know that they don’t have to go through this alone. The High Risk Breast Clinic offers a level of support and care that I hadn’t found before. Jill and the team helped me understand my options and gave me the confidence to make the best decision for myself.
Request a High Risk Breast Health Assessment
