Fueling Change Lisa Kroshus Komen Ambassador

Writer / Jane VanOsdol
Photography  /  Brian Brosmer

1474565889___29820735446_673f614d0e_oThe treatment room buzzed with energy as nurses took vitals, explained procedures and prepped for the first chemo treatment. In the midst of her stress and fear, patient Lisa Kroshus, vice president of corporate sponsorships at Indy Fuel, became aware of a persistent clicking sound. She turned, shocked and angry to see her husband taking pictures. “WHAT are you doing?” she asked. “I can’t believe you’re taking pictures of me right now. I don’t want to remember this.”

Sixteen months and 18 rounds of chemo later, Kroshus is glad her husband trusted his impulse to digitally document her fight against breast cancer. “It’s amazing to watch yourself go through that transformation because you’re sort of living outside your body the whole time it’s going on,” she said. “I can’t believe I went through all that. There were a lot of moments of not recognizing myself.”

My Job Saved Me
The very day after chemo and almost every day since then, Kroshus has been in her office – but not because it was required. On the contrary, Indy Fuel has been incredibly supportive, telling her to take off all the time she needed. Kroshus, however, was determined to not sit at home, focused on cancer. “Work got me out of bed, kept me a part of a team and kept me focused,” she said.

Her co-workers showered her with support, asking about treatment and pampering her with useful gifts. As the chemo sessions racked up, so did the side effects. On the rare day she could not physically make it to the office, Kroshus worked from her couch. “My job was the best medicine I had,” she said.

Remission
With a scary stage 2 triple-negative cancer diagnosis now in remission, Kroshus is a big believer in treatment being “doable.” She is fascinated by recent strides made in breast cancer research and the subsequent change in treatment. The focus is shifting from the stages of breast cancer to the personalities of breast cancer, which allows for a much more targeted treatment.

1474316159___lisakroshusA Different Woman
During treatment, a team of five doctors closely monitored Kroshus’ condition which was reassuring. Something she didn’t expect, however, in the midst of the relief was the uncertainty she felt after her final chemo session. “The team congratulates you, and then you’re done and walking out the door. I was thinking ‘Where do I go? What do I do? What happens if something happens to me?’” she said.

That uncertainty was what at first selfishly (her words) propelled her into becoming a 2016 Susan J. Komen for the Cure® Ambassador. During the introductory meeting, a vulnerable Kroshus found her wings and the answers to her questions within the supportive group of Ambassadors, all of whom had overcome immense challenges. “It was very, very powerful to be around such strong women, and I realized all the sudden that I was one of them, which was really incredible. I felt stronger immediately,” she said.

Kroshus’ focus shifted as she realized that she could draw upon the strength of all the breast cancer survivors who had walked this journey before her. She now wants to unselfishly help those undergoing treatment by lending them her strength and knowledge.

The Work of an Ambassador
As an Ambassador, Kroshus’ duties includes attending events to raise awareness or promote research, speaking, handing out information, answering questions, attending fundraisers and doing interviews. “[We are] putting a face to the disease, rather than it just being a generic disease,” she said.

Interestingly, her involvement with Komen actually began years ago in Dallas before she was even diagnosed. Each year, she participated in Komen Race for the Cure®. She now marvels at how life has come full circle. “I was actually doing that for myself,” she said. “You never know when you may be saving your own life.”

Overall, Kroshus takes great satisfaction in encouraging women who are just starting treatment by helping them realize that although it’s difficult, they are stronger than they realize, and they can do this. “Not to minimize [cancer], but I try to sort of minimize it because I don’t want to give cancer the spotlight. It doesn’t deserve it,” she said.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Send me your media kit!

hbspt.forms.create({ portalId: "6486003", formId: "5ee2abaf-81d9-48a9-a10d-de06becaa6db" });