Kathy Fairfax

Kathy Fairfax has been at Lee Health for 15 years and is a Breast Cancer Survivor! She began the fight for her life during a time that is supposed to be filled with only happiness and joy. 

2014 was a highly anticipated year for Kathy Fairfax and her family. Her son, Everett, was getting married, and the excitement of his upcoming wedding filled the air. However, ten days before the special day, Kathy received news of a devastating diagnosis after a routine mammogram, triple negative breast cancer, BRCA 2 positive. 

“Telling Everett I had breast cancer was extremely difficult,” Kathy said. “I didn’t want him to worry about me, we were days away from celebrating an incredibly happy life event. I could see his fear in his eyes, but knew I had to find a way to push this aside and live in the moment.” 

During Kathy’s treatment, she underwent four surgeries over the course of a year, a partial mastectomy, sentinel lymph node and port placement, a bilateral mastectomy, a total hysterectomy and a breast reconstruction. In addition to her multiple surgeries, she also went through six months of chemotherapy. 

Through every procedure and every road block, she continued to push forward and fight. She was determined to put cancer behind her. No matter how hard her battle became, her husband Doug, and her son were there every step of the way. She also credits her friends, family and co-workers who were cheering her on through cards, phone calls, words of encouragement and sitting with her through her treatments.

“I am so thankful I am alive and well,” Kathy said. “I am thankful that I now have a granddaughter who warms my heart. Every step of my journey was a step forward to put this disease in the rearview mirror so I could focus on the people I love and care for.”

As a survivor, Kathy has words of advice to women who are currently navigating their own battles with breast cancer. 

“Stay off the internet, live and write your own story,” Kathy said. 

At Lee Health, we have exceptional employees who are also incredibly strong breast cancer survivors, and we want to take this opportunity to celebrate each one of them and their inspiring stories for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.