June is National Cancer Survivors Month, and we’re sharing stories and insights from survivors in our CARES community. Professional Photographer Kathryn Costello first connected with CARES to photograph Scott Hamilton & Friends in 2016, then photographed our Sk8 to Elimin8 Cancer® event with the Skating Club of Boston in 2017, and has stayed involved with CARES ever since. Kathryn was diagnosed with endometrial cancer in 2024.

Thank you, Kathryn, for sharing your story to inspire hope and raise awareness about the importance of continued investment in cancer research.

What were your biggest challenges during your treatment?

When I was diagnosed with stage four endometrial cancer, losing a sense of being in control of my own life was difficult. I had to confront my fear. I was terrified of undergoing chemo, and it didn’t help when a nurse approached me in what my imagination saw as hazmat gear, bringing drugs with biohazard warning stickers on them. Another survivor advised me to think of the chemo infusion as being pumped full of vitamins, but I couldn't do the mental gymnastics required to pull that off. Instead, I quietly thanked my body for taking the hit and enduring what was necessary to stay alive.

The most disturbing change was to my eyesight. My vision grew darker and it was frightening. The neuropathy made it difficult to walk. I felt it in my feet mostly.

When I started losing my hair after my first round of chemo, it was upsetting and quite uncomfortable. My son is a Marine and is good at giving buzz cuts to others in his unit. I'm sure he never imagined he'd be giving one to his mom, but he came to my aid and shaved my head. The relief was immediate and I really enjoyed being bald. It was liberating after having long hair most of my life. I opted not to wear wigs, but I was obsessed with beautiful scarves and caps. In the chemo waiting room, there was a box of new headwraps that people would donate - many of them were handmade. And, not for the first time, I was moved by the kindness of strangers.

There was a change to my lifestyle and work. I had to stop professional portrait photography during that time, because I never knew how I would be feeling, and I had nothing to give mentally or emotionally. I turned inward. I needed a creative outlet, so I photographed the Boston Harbor and skyline at all times of the day and night, always from the same spot. Not being able to walk easily [from the neuropathy] forced me to look closely at my surroundings and notice the beautiful moments right in front of me.

Did any treatments or trials in your care come from cancer research?

My treatment and medications have been in use for years, so nothing experimental, but I had the benefit of chemo drugs that have been in use and studied since the 1990's. I had a wonderful oncologist, Dr. Mazina, and her team at Mass General, who guided me through my treatment while paying close attention to how I was feeling, because everyone responds a bit differently.

I often think about what made the success of my treatment possible, i.e. the doctors, researchers, clinical trials, and other cancer patients who went before me. Because of them, I went through treatment with little fear of the outcome. My doctor told me we would beat this, and I believed her. I don't feel like I was particularly brave or strong, rather, I was fortunate that my cancer was well-studied and responded well to treatment.

Were it not for all the people who dedicated their lives to cancer research, my experience would have been quite different.

Has surviving cancer changed your outlook on life?

I am more inclined to make time for people I love and for things that truly matter to me. I try to connect deeply with people by giving them my full attention, whether I am meeting them for the first time or have known them for years. I also value solitude, and I protect my time and my energy. I don't ignore my health anymore. I had cancer within me for a long time before I knew it, and life had a sense of dullness to it that I didn't understand and that's hard to describe. But right after the surgery I started feeling it lift, my senses were heightened, and I felt more alive. I was kicked to the curb again with chemo and radiation, but now that is also behind me, and I am 18 months cancer-free. I am left with a sense of gratitude for the people in my life and the opportunities I've been given. I'm thankful for my family and friends who were by my side. The experience has strengthened my relationships. I take time now to appreciate the simple things, the smell of rain, the colors in nature, the way the warm sun feels on my face on a winter day...it feels good to be alive and in a body that is not sick anymore!

What message would you share with someone diagnosed with cancer?

Please hang on! I know it's hard. Try to see the silver linings and lean into the people who love you.

Survivor Spotlight: Kathryn Costello

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