Kate Thomason simultaneously navigates cancer and grief, finding support at Compass Oncology.
It started with abnormal bloodwork results before an outpatient procedure. The surgeon recommended Leta contact her primary care physician, who ran further tests and then referred Leta to a hematologist at Compass Oncology. That’s where she learned she has Monoclonal B-cell Lymphocytosis (MBL), a common and often benign blood condition that can be a precursor to Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), the most common type of leukemia diagnosed in adults.
“CLL is like a cancer of the immune system,” Leta explained.
Leta and her Compass physician watched her bloodwork results climb until they reached cancerous levels. She knew her immune system was also depleting, but she didn’t feel the heavy impact until a winter virus knocked her down for months. It took three infusions of antibodies before she began feeling better. Plus, during that illness, her kidney function plummeted, resulting in an additional challenge.
“I had no life! I was so sick and nauseous. I couldn’t get out of bed. I couldn’t function,” Leta said.
Her kidney specialist recognized that, although rare, the CLL had infiltrated Leta’s kidneys.
“Because the CLL had attacked my organs, it meant I had stage four lymphoma as well as CLL. Hearing ‘stage four’ is pretty frightening!” Leta said. “I immediately called Compass.”
Leta’s hematologist at Compass had already shared potential treatment options, and Leta spent time researching them. She chose a two-fold treatment, involving infusions and oral medication, to target and clear out cancer cells.
“It was difficult in the beginning because I was so sick. I had every single side effect. But everyone at Compass listened and took care of me,” Leta said. “I made it because I had the tools to get through it and the support of people at Compass.”
“As a former coach, I know that core values are one of the most important things to a team. We need to understand what is important to us, how we’re going to practice, and how we’re going to treat each other,” Leta said.
With that in mind, Leta went to Compass’ website and studied Compass’ core values of compassion, advocacy, respect, excellence, and service. Next, she showed up for practice.
“I read their core values, and then I experienced it. They live their core values!” Leta said. “People need to know: Cancer is scary, but when you have good care, it’s not as scary – and Compass care is far and above any other place.
“I’ve spent a lot of time reading about sports psychology, so I literally coached myself through this. I could have easily got stuck in the wallow. At times, it was awful. I kept feeling worse. So, I focused on positive self-talk,” Leta explained. “I would ask myself what I’d say to my team in a difficult situation, and then I’d repeat it to myself. I’d remind myself, ‘You have to focus on where you’re going!’ and ‘Take it one day at a time.”
In addition to vocalizing positive messages, Leta surrounded herself with inspiring quotes, words of encouragement and intentional affirmations.
“From the start, I needed to make Compass a place I didn’t dread coming to,” Leta said. “I know the importance of developing relationships. So, I talked with everyone at Compass about my favorite things – about coaching and players, about Italy, and about my Australian Shepherd, Zoey, who lost her leg to cancer and is currently going through treatment,” Leta said.
As Leta opened herself up to her Compass teammates, they could more easily connect with her, and she felt supported and cared about in return.
“The mental part of cancer is a lonely, lonely thing. Unless someone has gone through it, they don’t really understand – except for at Compass. When you’re there, they understand because they’re working with it all day long. I can’t say enough wonderful things about the people there. Now, I just feel like they’re family and Compass is like a home for me,” Leta said.
As of today, Leta’s cancer is in remission, but because CLL is considered an incurable disease, it will likely relapse at some point. With Leta’s champion strategies and her partnership with Team Compass, she feels equipped for whatever the future holds.
“I’m not worried. With Compass, I’ll just kick it again,” Leta said.
Written by Jessica Poe