Arlington woman uses cancer battle to help others

October is designated as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but for Pamela Haschke, every month, every day and every minute is about breast cancer awareness.

June 22, 2004. The date could represent an anniversary, graduation, retirement or wedding. Yet, for Haschke, the date quickly rolls off her tongue as one she will never forget.

"It's almost like a second birthday because you begin a battle to live and that's why the date is always stuck in your head," she said.

It was on June 22, 2004, that Haschke was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer. Inflammatory breast cancer is a rare form of the disease and is not usually picked up on a mammogram. It can mimic a spider bite or infection, so it is often misdiagnosed and treated only with antibiotics. Such was the case with Haschke. Luckily, her doctors realized something more was going on with her when the antibiotics were ineffective.

"When I got the news, I was shocked because there is no history of breast cancer in my family," said the 48-year-old Arlington Heights resident. "At the same time, I could envision myself as an old lady with gray hair dancing with my husband. I considered it an obstacle in my life and was going to beat it."

Haschke utilized that determination to fight the disease, which included eight sessions of chemotherapy over a 16-week period, a modified radical mastectomy and 35 sessions of radiation. Haschke said the chemo was very physically draining and the radiation was so intense it caused her skin to burn. Yet, she rallied and once better, volunteered her time and efforts to help others get better.

In fall 2005, she became involved with the Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

"I selected them because as a survivor I wanted to educate others about the disease, and not just women, but doctors and nurses, too," she said "I also didn't want people misdiagnosed."

Haschke became active in the foundation's "Buddy" program. As a buddy, she would talk to folks either via e-mail, phone or in person in regard to their concerns, worries and fears about breast cancer.

"One woman in the southern suburbs was scared to death of chemotherapy," Haschke said. "She would give me a schedule of her chemotherapy sessions. I would call her after each session. She was grateful someone would check in."

On her own, the generous volunteer would post encouraging input on the Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Foundation's national Web site message board. Her notes caught the eye of the foundation's executive director, Ginny Mason.

"Her responses were thoughtful and on the mark," Mason said. "She thinks carefully before she responds. She doesn't give advice, but encourages and helps people find the resources they need."

The glowing commendation led to naming Haschke as a volunteer representative for the Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Foundation. As such, she has attended the Lynn Sage Cancer Foundation's annual panel discussion, the American Society of Clinical Oncologists conference and the Sisters conference.

She, along with 700 others, was chosen out of a pool of 1,500 volunteer applicants to participate in the Lance Armstrong Foundation's 2006 LIVESTRONG Summit. During the three-day affair in Texas, Haschke and her district group brainstormed about gaps in services and came up with personal action plans.

Somewhat traumatized by the hair loss she suffered from chemo, Haschke wanted to help others through the ordeal. Her personal action plan resulted in the formation of Northwest Illinois Head Huggers, which provides chemotherapy caps at no cost to patients at hospitals and oncologists' offices. So far, directing seven volunteer groups that knit, sew or crochets the articles, Haschke has distributed more than 300 caps.

"God didn't give me cancer in order to take me from this earth," Haschke said. "The lesson I learned is that I will help others survive cancer."

For information or to volunteer, e-mail NWIlliniHeadHuggers@mac.com.