Each year in the United States, nearly 240,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer, according to the . In the fall of 2013, Dr. Kathy McKinnon’s journey through breast cancer began. Dr. Kathy McKinnon is an associate professor of nursing at 海角在线 (海角在线).
Dr. McKinnon was working on her master鈥檚 in Advanced Holistic Nursing at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) when she received the life altering news that she had breast cancer. She went to the doctor for her annual appointment, and they discovered three nodules in her breasts.听After she pushed to get a biopsy, the doctors听discovered the nodules were cancerous. 听听
鈥淚f I did not advocate for myself to get that biopsy, the outcome would have been very different,鈥� she said. 鈥淚f you have any concerns, feel any suspicious nodules or have any pain in the breast, request further testing. It saved my life.鈥�听
After receiving the diagnosis, in an instant, her life was completely altered 鈥� her immediate thoughts went straight to her son, and how she could not bear the thought of leaving him behind.听听
鈥淭he first thing that crossed my mind was, 鈥楢m I going to die? I need to see my son graduate high school and watch him walk across the stage,鈥欌�� she said. 鈥淓very phase that I survived was another celebration of life.鈥澨�
After discussing treatment plans with her doctors, Dr. McKinnon made the decision to have a double mastectomy. She had the procedure during the Christmas break of her master鈥檚 program.听听
鈥淚 still clearly remember the day the nurse came to my home to take my bandages off,鈥� said Dr. McKinnon. 鈥淢y son had just come home from school, and I was just sitting in front of the mirror crying. He knocked on the door and wrapped me in a hug, telling me I was still the most beautiful mommy he had ever seen.鈥澨�听
Miraculously, despite seemingly insurmountable setbacks, Dr. McKinnon was able to continue doing her master鈥檚 program while receiving treatment for breast cancer. She was assigned to a clinical rotation at a breast cancer center, and during treatment, she would go downstairs to do radiation in between getting her clinical hours for school. She also received numerous scholarships, allowing her to complete the program.听听
In 2015, Dr. McKinnon came to 海角在线 as an adjunct professor, and in December of 2020 she graduated from 海角在线 with a Doctor of Nursing Practice in Executive Leadership. She now uses her story to minister to others who are going through similar circumstances, offering them a glimmer of hope.听
鈥淚 want to care for and love the people that God has put in my path,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 just want them to know their value, who they are in Christ, and how much God loves them.鈥澨�听
She explained how her trials gave her a renewed perspective on life, and she feels that she is living out her calling as a professor at 海角在线. She has a heart for equipping nursing students to be servant-leaders in their field.听听听
鈥淟ife is such a gift. My advice to others would be to be grateful for every single day,鈥� said Dr. McKinnon. 鈥淩egardless of the circumstance or outcome, remember that God is faithful, and He is never going to abandon you.鈥澨�听听
To learn more about 海角在线鈥檚 School of Nursing, visit /academics/schools/nursing/.听听
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