Kristal never imagined that she would one day open up about her personal struggles with people she didn’t know well. She had always been someone who preferred to quietly support others rather than share her own challenges. But everything changed in the summer of 2023 when Kristal was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 38.
“Cancer made me realize that I want to be more vulnerable. It’s tough for me to be open with others, but I’ve been making more of an effort because I feel like it’s an opportunity to relate and connect with people,” she shared.
This decision to embrace vulnerability not only transformed her own life but also created a ripple effect she didn’t expect. In November, Kristal agreed to be interviewed in a CTV news segment profiling Wellspring Alberta, and this, along with other moments of vulnerability, inspired others to share their stories and seek support. Feeling moved and uplifted by the power of connection, Kristal embraced a new path of openness.
“I see more now than ever that sharing more of who I am and my personal experiences can help bridge the gap between me and others. I am also able to point people in the direction of Wellspring, because I truly cannot imagine going through cancer without their resources and support,” she said.
Bearing the Unbearable
At 38, Kristal was happily married, devoted to her faith, grateful for canine love, and heavily invested in her career as a forensic accountant.
“It’s the career I’ve worked toward for years. It’s all about truth-seeking, uncovering facts, and pursuing justice. It allows me to use my analytical mind in a really meaningful way,” she said.
But her world turned upside down when Kristal found multiple lumps in her right breast. What began as a routine mammogram and ultrasound quickly escalated into a series of biopsies.
“It was my first day back to work after a vacation,” Kristal recalled. “The doctor told me to come in that evening and bring my husband. I had an anxiety attack; I knew something was wrong, and all my emotions just exploded.”
The devastating news followed: Stage 3 multi-centric invasive ductal carcinoma with lymph node involvement.
The weeks that followed were a whirlwind of tests and life-altering decisions. Kristal also learned she carried a rare genetic mutation called PALB2, which heightened her risk of breast, ovarian and pancreatic cancers.
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy began soon after, but the harsh treatments and medications over the next four months left her in the emergency room several times.
A Shocking Discovery
After chemotherapy, Kristal underwent a mastectomy and lymph node dissection. It was during pathology that the doctors discovered the chemotherapy had not been as effective as hoped. The cancer continued to spread throughout her lymphatic system.
To prevent further complications, Kristal underwent another surgery to remove all lymph nodes on her right side, and she also advocated for a rare procedure called a Lymphovenous Bypass to prevent cancer-related lymphedema.
“My oncologist told me about this new procedure, and I advocated for it to my surgeon. He coordinated with the only plastic surgeon in the province who had the expertise. At that time, I was among only a handful of people in Alberta who had received it. I felt very grateful,” she said.
After recovering from her surgeries, Kristal endured radiation treatment and attempted months of hormone therapy, but the side effects were unbearable.
“Hormone therapy treatment was so hard on my body and my day-to-day life. It gave me terrible brain fog, mood swings, and fatigue — it was rough,” she recalled.
So, Kristal made the difficult decision to discontinue this treatment. She was then discharged from the Cross Cancer Institute and referred to The Allard Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Clinic for monitoring.
“I decided to prioritize quality over quantity. I would rather have fewer days filled with joy than more days spent feeling miserable,” she said.
Darkness to Wholeness
In January, 2025, Kristal felt she had recovered enough to gradually return to work. Then just six months later … another devastating blow; a secondary breast cancer in her left breast.
The news sent her back for more surgeries: another mastectomy, plus a salpingo-oophorectomy – the removal of her ovaries and fallopian tubes, which was a preventative measure for ovarian cancer.
“The past few years have been incredibly challenging. I feel like I’ve been through enough. I know people survive and can have a fulfilling life after a cancer diagnosis, and I hope that’s going to be my story. But my oncologist has reminded me that the possibility of the cancer spreading is something I may have to face in the future,” Kristal said.
Despite the uncertainty, Kristal has found some peace. “I’m nervous about it coming back, but I’m not scared. I know I can’t control what happens. I can eat well, stay active, and focus on the positive, but at the end of the day, I can’t control if it comes back. So why would I waste energy worrying about it?” she said.
For now, Kristal is simply thankful to be back at work, doing what she loves. She leans into her faith, her family, and her closest friends, and finds comfort in the steady companionship of her dogs, especially her German Shepherd, Charlie, who is always beside her, attuned to every shift in her world. And through it all, Kristal has still managed to uncover small glimmers of enlightenment and grace.
“Cancer is daunting. It’s exhausting as a patient and as a caregiver. Just going through the process can take such a toll. But it’s also been a blessing. I have always been in constant motion, never stopping to pay attention. Cancer has forced me to slow down, evaluate my relationships, and ask if I’m creating value in my life. I’ve realized that I really love connecting with people, and I don’t feel whole without those connections. Cancer has opened my eyes and changed my perspective on life,” she said.
Wellspring Along the Way
Kristal recalls passing the Wellspring in Edmonton on several occasions, and though she admired the building, she hoped to never pay a visit there.
“I had the same thought when I would drive past the Cross Cancer Institute; I hoped and prayed I’d never have to see the inside of these buildings,” she said.
But after she and her husband had their first visit to the oncologist, both reeling and overwhelmed with emotion, her husband, Eric, made an impromptu decision to turn into the Wellspring parking lot.
“We went inside, and Eric started talking with the ladies at reception. I just broke down and cried in the bathroom. When I came out, Eric had gathered some information, and we left,” she said.
Later at home, as Kristal scrolled through the Wellspring website, she saw a way forward; a way to ease her shock and despair.
“Joining Wellspring made me feel empowered. I decided that I wanted to understand what was going on inside my body, and what I could expect for the next few years. Wellspring seemed like the right place to educate myself and be around people who would know what I was going through,” she said.
Kristal registered for every program she could fit in her schedule, including yoga, Brain Fog, Nourish, and several sessions of the Speaker Series. She was interested in anything educational, and she found the connection she hadn’t known she needed.
“I can vividly remember my first program. It was so comforting to be with people who understood what I was going through. You get to show up, feeling and looking terrible, and everyone just understands, you don’t have to explain yourself,” she said.
She was especially grateful to have something to look forward to while going through treatment and waiting for surgeries. She felt buoyed by information and touched by the compassion.
One moment that stood out to Kristal was when a program facilitator called her to check in while she was waiting for an appointment at the Cross Cancer Institute. “I was so shocked. It was very special to me to know that I wasn’t just a name on a registration list; they really cared about me,” she said.
Kristal‘s husband enrolled in a Wellspring caregiving program, but what comforted him the most was seeing his wife uncover answers to her questions, experience connection, and find a hopeful path forward.
As Kristal reflects on the past few years, she emphasizes the vital role Wellspring has played in her life.
“I can’t imagine going through cancer without the resources and support of Wellspring. They’ve been a lifeline for me, providing not just education and programs, but a sense of community and hope. I am so grateful for Wellspring and everything they’ve done to help me.”