Feeling hopeful
Krista Wilde was terrified when she learned about her breast cancer diagnosis, but thanks to her family’s support and the care team at St. Joseph’s, she’s embracing the future with optimism.
“I never expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer – not just once but twice.”
Krista Wilde has been on a physical and emotional rollercoaster since late 2021 when she first found a lump in her breast.
A single mom, with no history of breast cancer in her family, she was terrified.
“One day you are living your life, and then all of a sudden you are turned into a woman who has cancer – and you try to put a stoic face on it – but you are afraid,” she says.
With her family at her side, what brought Krista peace and comfort through it all was the care team at St. Joseph’s. From Chris, a nurse in the breast care centre to Dr. Sarah Knowles, her surgeon, the team was there for any hour of the day, answering her questions, providing her with resources and giving her support at each stage of the process.
“Dr. Knowles has been a rock, and Chris was so great – their energy, their understanding and their professionalism, I can’t say thank you enough. I don’t know where I would be today mentally and physically without them and the entire staff team.”
Family first
A lifetime Londoner, Krista was born at St. Joseph’s and raised in the north end of the city. She grew up playing hockey and as an adult, her love of sports manifested into running marathons and triathlons alongside her father.
Family is at the centre of her world. She’s the mom of two kids – Morgan 19 and Brayden 15. She’s also very close to her mother and sister Kerry – who she says has been there for her every step of the way throughout her entire experience with cancer. She met her friend Joe, after being diagnosed with cancer, and he has been a steady and strong presence in her life.
“Joe has been there and allowed me to be the mom I needed to go through all of this,” says Krista.
Becoming an advocate
Being a patient with a debilitating disease was a new experience for Krista, who has spent her entire career as a nurse.
“I have always done my best to be compassionate and caring, but until I was receiving care, I don’t think I completely understood what it was really like to experience such a difficult process,” she says. “I really try to be an advocate and voice for patients now.”
And while her family and care team were at the core of her recovery, Krista says that bonding with other women in the waiting room and recovery room made an important difference.
“Laying there in the recovery room, we would share stories and it was so good to hear how others felt,” she says.
These connections and the unexpected bonding that occurred have inspired Krista to share her own story and to speak up about some of her learnings from her health care experience. She says that she discovered the initial lump when she was lying down on her back, and believes that if she had known to do a breast exam this way, she would have found things sooner.
Krista also wants people to know how lucky we are to live in London, where there is a wealth of expertise and resources in support of breast care.
“We are extremely lucky to have this right in our backyard. If you have to receive care – know that you will be supported from the second you walk through the door.”
Feeling hopeful
After having a second surgery and undergoing radiation treatment, Krista is back at work – providing care to others in the surgical recovery room. Resuming her regular schedule left her feeling tired out of the gate, but she is hopeful and embracing the thing in her life that means the most to her – her family.
“I can’t imagine where I or my family would be today if my cancer wasn’t properly diagnosed. Thanks to the breast care team at St. Joseph’s I don’t have to.”
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There are thousands of people just like Krista receiving breast care at St. Joseph’s every year. You can change a life with a monthly donation.