Breast Cancer Awareness Month: The Strobel Story
The Strobel Family pictured left to right: John Strobel, Rachel Strobel, Karen Strobel, Henry Strobel, Jack Strobel Supported by her family, Karen Strobel is pictured ringing the bell that signified her breast cancer last treatment at Penn Medical Center, Valley Forge.
According to the CDC, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among women, besides skin cancer, and according to breastcancer.org, one in every eight women will be diagnosed with Breast Cancer over the course of a lifetime, with about 87% surviving.
One of the many efforts to decrease these numbers has been declaring the month of October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This month often takes on a deeper meaning for those who have either had Breast Cancer themselves or have had a family member or friend with breast cancer, proving to greatly impact lives.
October came to hold a deeper significance to North Penn High School junior, Henry Strobel, senior, Jack Strobel, and their father and sister, after their mother, Karen Strobel, was diagnosed with breast cancer on August 14th, 2015.
“That [date] is burned in my head,” said Henry Strobel.
Initially hearing about their mother’s diagnosis was difficult to comprehend, since the word cancer proves to be terrifying itself.
“Everything seemed fine; then, it just happened out of nowhere,” explained Jack Strobel.
Because of the unexpected news, both brothers had almost delayed reactions.
“I didn’t really react right away. It took a while to process,” said Henry Strobel.
Trying to carry on everyday life as their mother battled breast cancer was all about finding a “new normal” for the Strobel family.
“I definitely had to get used to changing my schedule around to fit [since] my mom wasn’t able to do anything, because most of the time after chemo she couldn’t really do much because of how draining it is,” explained Jack Strobel.
The brothers adjusted to accommodate to different systems and habits, such as Jack having to do most of the driving for his siblings, and cutting back on extracurricular activities. The support that they received from others, such as receiving meals from friends and family, also took some getting used to.
“People’s generosity and kindness was crazy, but eating other people’s meals got old pretty fast,” explained Henry Strobel.
With this major change in their lives, the brothers found a way to cope through a variety of strategies. For Henry Strobel, therapy and religion proved to guide him through the situation, while Jack Strobel focused on looking ahead towards the future and supporting his mother as much as possible.
With experience regarding how to cope, the brothers suggested that one should never fear seeking help and discussed the importance of perseverance.
“There [are] probably a huge amount of people who are waiting just to help you, and they want to feel like they are helping you, so just let them,” stated Henry Strobel.
“Just keep going through it, because no matter how bad it seems to get, you will get out of it at some point, and everything will be ok,” explained Jack Strobel.
Tracey Tupper • Oct 31, 2016 at 8:31 am
Morning tears of joy for this Family as I read and relive this story. Cancer can destroy in so many ways but this Family is a testament to their faith and love for one another. I watched much of this unfold over the past year and have been blessed by it. Jack, Henry and Rachel you are true to your Mom and have been a beacon of hope even on her most dark days. John such a Rock as I have always known you to be and Princess Warrior you amaze me with your strength even when you didn’t think you deserved to amaze. Henry you are so right….Just let people help! I love the last line too, “Just keep going through it, because no matter how bad it seems to get, you will get out of it at some point, and everything will be ok…that is what we are promised. Love you guys!!!