Kootenai | Kootenai Health | Issue 3, 2017

In 2014 Staci Armes was diagnosed with breast cancer. After discovering a lump and burning sensation in her left breast, the then 39-year-old, single mother of three worked with her care team to develop a treatment plan. “We made the decision to do a double mastectomy with reconstruc- tion because I didn’t want the cancer to come back,” Staci said. “It was a long process from start to finish, but the reconstruction went well, and I felt it was worth it.” In addition to surgery, Staci received 12 rounds of chemotherapy and five- and-a-half weeks of radiation therapy. Following her treatment, Staci said she felt good and was able to get back to her favorite activities. As a former high school and college volleyball player, sports and outdoor recreation play a big part in her life. “I still play in a volleyball league,” she said. “My two girls play volleyball, and I like to ride dirt bikes with my son. It was good to start to feel normal again.” Then, in September 2016, just short of her second anniversary of complet- ing her treatment, Staci noticed a strange feeling in her eye. “I asked my co-worker if I had some- thing in my eye, and she said she didn’t see anything,” Staci said. “Ten minutes later I had a seizure on the sidewalk outside our office.” Staci’s co-worker took her to the hospital where they discovered that her cancer had metastasized to her brain. Six tumors, ranging in size from 5 millimeters to just over an inch, lined her brain. “Staci developed lesions on her brain because breast cancer can metastasize anywhere in your body,” explained Jodi Schmidt, clinical navi- gator with Kootenai Cancer Services. “The brain is a prime spot, because chemotherapy doesn’t easily cross the blood-brain barrier, so cancer cells can find refuge there. Staci had 15 radia- tion treatments to treat the lesions in her brain.” Throughout the process, Staci has found support from her mother and aunt, both cancer survivors, as well as her children. “I feel like the second time around has hit me more emotionally,” Staci said. “The first time around, my kids were pretty young, but now my oldest is 12 and has a better understanding Staci Armes with her children, J.T., Hailey and Samantha, at Tubbs Hill in Coeur d’Alene in 2016. Helping Staci Fight on Staci Armes tackles cancer for a second time By Andrea Nagel CANCER CARE 6