MOBILE, Alabama  – When Kristen Sayles, a 44-year-old elementary school counselor, discovered a lump during a self-exam in late 2023, she acted quickly—her family’s history of breast cancer left no room for hesitation. Within weeks, Kristen received a diagnosis that would change her life: triple-negative breast cancer, one of the most aggressive forms of the disease.

“I was driving when I got the call,” Kristen said. “I cried the entire time. But in that moment, because of my faith, God just told me to do nothing. I wanted to call my husband, call my mom, and just everyone on my way home and he said ‘no, talk to me.’”

Kristen was referred to USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute (MCI) for treatment, the same facility that treated her grandmother during her own breast cancer battle.

Her care team, including Ayesha Munir, M.D., medical oncologist, Spencer Liles, M.D., F.A.C.S., surgical oncologist, Wilma Baliem, ACNP-BC, AOCNP, nurse practitioner, andWendy Laport, R.N., B.S.N., breast nurse navigator, walked with her through 16 rounds of chemotherapy and a double mastectomy. The treatment pushed her body to its limits, but Kristen’s spirit always remained positive.

“There was a period of time when I couldn’t be around anyone because of my immune system being compromised. That was hard,” Kristen shared. “And, losing my hair and breasts was emotional. I didn’t feel like myself. But I reminded myself, this was a step toward healing.”

Kristen credits her recovery not only to her medical team and treatments but also to the support services available at MCI. From meeting other cancer patients and participating in art therapy during her chemo sessions, to a resource room stocked with wigs, bras, lashes, and everything a patient could need when going through treatment, MCI helped meet both her physical and emotional needs.

“The Mitchell Cancer Institute helped me see the light at the end of the tunnel,” she said. “They led me in the direction that I needed to go to fight this fight with cancer. If it had not been for MCI and their team, I don’t know if I could’ve made it.”

Her husband, Ron Sayles, recalls the hardest part of their journey: watching Kristen’s body decline during treatment. “Even when she was weak, she encouraged the rest of us,” he said. “She gave us courage when she was the one who needed it most. She turned breast cancer, something that is so detrimental, into something that seemed small because of her unwavering strength.”

Their teenage daughter, Darrian Tyler, was just 14 when Kristen was diagnosed. As her mother battled cancer, Darrian faced a wave of change—starting high school and navigating it all internally. “I didn’t tell my friends. I didn’t want them to treat me differently,” she said. “But I’ll never forget my 8th-grade graduation. My mom couldn’t be around crowds, but she still found a way to be there for me.”

The family leaned on faith and laughter to carry them through. “Even when we shaved Kristen’s head, we made it a moment we could laugh through,” Ron said. “We kept humor in our home. That helped more than we realized.”

Today, Kristen is cancer-free and proudly calls herself a survivor. She rang the bell to mark the end of her treatment on August 27, 2024, almost a year ago. When asked what survivorship means to her, she said “I made it. That’s what it means to me.”

To other women, Kristen offers a simple but powerful message: “Take care of yourself first. Don’t skip your screenings. Don’t wait.”

And to anyone going through cancer: “Lean on God and people. Everyone has a different story and experience, but no one should walk this road alone.”

Kristen Sayles is a survivor, a mother, a counselor—and a testament that with faith, family, and community, even the toughest battles can be won.

Kristen’s story is a reminder of the importance of continued support for cancer patients through funding and research. MCI will host its annual Par 3 Golf Tournament on June 12, with proceeds directly benefiting cancer research, patient care services, and support programs like the ones that helped Kristen through her journey.

Community members are encouraged to participate, sponsor, or donate. Team registration is open for the tournament until Tuesday, June 10. Learn more at usahealthsystem.com/mci-golf.

Learn more about Kristen’s patient journey on usahealthsystem.com.

 

About the USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute

The USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute stands as the leading academic cancer treatment and research facility along the upper Gulf Coast. Continuous research and technological advancements keep the MCI at the forefront of cancer treatment and outcomes. Providers and staff are dedicated to bringing the most advanced care to people in the region, including having available clinical trials that are the steppingstones to widespread treatment options.