Patients
Detecting Cancer Early: A Grateful Patient’s Journey Through Breast Cancer
At just 28 years old, Kristine Dreher discovered a lump in her breast, but her medical providers where she first received care initially believed it was benign, information that kept her from seeking a second opinion. By the time she turned 30, the lump had grown to 3.5 centimeters, a sign that something more serious was unfolding.
“I didn’t want to die,” Kristine recalls. “I was like, ‘I’m too young for this.’”
Her diagnosis came on October 2: breast cancer.
Kristine, supported by her therapist and a tight-knit circle of friends, leaned into what she calls “robot mode” to get through a series of appointments, tests, and endless waiting.
One of the most pivotal figures in Kristine’s journey was her mother, Annette, an administrator at AltaMed. With a deep understanding of the healthcare system, Annette became Kristine’s fiercest advocate, ensuring she accessed care without delay. Their teamwork, born from both love and professional insight, may have saved Kristine from harsher treatments.
“Timing is everything,” Kristine says. “If anything had been delayed for one week… I truly believe that I probably would have been in chemo and radiation for sure.”
On December 15, Kristine underwent a double mastectomy with reconstruction at Adventist Health White Memorial. The procedure, performed by Dr. Nina Behdin (general surgeon) and Dr. Peter Ashjian (plastic and reconstructive surgeon), was a turning point, physically and emotionally. Her tumors had been only millimeters away from crossing into a far more aggressive stage.
Beyond the surgical success, Kristine found in Dr. Behdin a rare kind of physician: one who leads with compassion as much as expertise. “When Dr. Behdin gets a patient, it’s not just the clinical stuff. She hears you, she cares, and she is going to find a way to make it the best that she can,” Kristine says.
This compassion did not stop at the bedside. Inspired by Kristine’s experience, her mother and Dr. Behdin partnered to advocate for improvements in breast cancer protocols at AltaMed and Adventist Health White Memorial. They streamlined diagnostic processes and built systems to help ensure future patients receive timely, coordinated care.
Kristine reflects on this ripple effect with a sense of awe: “If me getting cancer has brought you and my mom together to really work and help all these women… I am more than happy that this is where I am at.”
Now cancer-free and undergoing hormone therapy, Kristine’s focus is no longer just survival; it is advocacy. She has found peace, purpose, and a calling in her journey. “I have never felt like I was ever in the right place or right time… And this is the exact space that I need to be in.”
Kristine’s story is more than one of resilience; it is about the power of empathy, the urgency of early detection, and how one patient’s fight can ignite lasting change.
Kristine emphasized the importance of timely diagnosis and treatment, noting her own diagnosis and surgery within three weeks. She expressed a desire to raise awareness about breast cancer protocols and improve access to plastic surgeons. Kristine plans to create a breast cancer documentary and advocate for faster, more efficient medical processes to save lives and improve outcomes.
Have a story to share?
If Kristine’s story has inspired you, we invite you to share your own journey of healing at Adventist Health White Memorial. Your story can shine a light on the power of compassionate care and help others find hope, because gratitude is powerful and every story is a gift.
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