Keri Haberstroh's Breast Cancer Story, Chapter 1: Starting Chemotherapy at Age 25

A reality-based comic strip chronicles the life of Keri and Doug Haberstroh, young newlyweds fighting breast cancer. Keri was only 25 when she was first diagnosed (with invasive / infiltrating ductal carcinoma). In this chapter of Keri's story, she undergoes chemotherapy and plans for a modified radical mastectomy.

Meet Doug Haberstroh

Why I Am Telling Keri's Story

My name is Doug, and I am a breast cancer husband. I'm here to share the story of the love of my life. It was Keri's dream that her thoughts, ideas, and love be shared publicly, so others could learn from her experience.

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Keri's Chemotherapy Experience

Preparing for Chemo and Surgery
Keri plans for chemotherapy (insertion of the "life port") and surgery to remove the tumor in her breast.
The First Week of Chemo
Keri has a panic attack before her first chemo treatment and the gets back to being herself, sweet and steady.
Update on Keri's Chemotherapy
Keri updates friends and family on her diagnosis of infiltrating ductal carcinoma, the pathology report and chemotherapy.
The Second Round of Chemo
Keri shaves her head after her second of six scheduled rounds of chemo - and her hair started falling out in clumps the "size of golf balls."
The "Halfway" Mark
Before Keri's prognosis changed, she seemed to be hitting the "halfway" mark in her chemo treatment for IDC. Next up is surgery and reconstruction.
A Bad Reaction to Chemo
A severe case of pneumonia, relating to Keri's reaction to a chemo drug, sends her to the hospital.

How We're Telling Keri's Story

See the Entire Story Told in Comic Strip Form
The comic strip captions are excerpts from emails Keri and Doug sent to loved ones during Keri's treatment. Doug is re-publishing those emails in his blog. Together, the comics and Doug's SharePosts tell Keri's story - from start to finish.

Keri's Breast Cancer Comics

Episode 1: The First Week of Chemo - Click the image to view the full version

The Next Chapter: I'm Only 25...

And I'm Getting a Mastectomy

In the second chapter of Keri's story, she plans for a modified radical mastectomy followed by breast reconstruction.

Find out more >>

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Chemotherapy Comics

Episode 1: The First Week of Chemotherapy
Keri stomaches a "jumble of pills" every time she has chemo and finds that water just doesn't taste as "crisp" as it used to.
Episode 2: The Second Chemo Treatment
The nurses recommend popsicles or Jello, after Keri's chemo-related dehydration prompts a trip to the doctor.
Episode 3: Chemo and Our First Wedding Anniversary
After celebrating our first anniversary, Keri started another round of chemo. What a year.

Table of Contents: 6 Chapters

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