Korissa Diehl never missed a mammogram. Every result came back clean. But one night, she felt a lump that didn’t feel right—and that moment changed her life.
“I thought it was just a pulled muscle,” she said. But it turned out to be Stage 2 breast cancer.
Her diagnosis came just days after a routine check-up. Her care team, led by Dr. Natalie Luehmann, breast surgeon at Aurora BayCare Medical Center, recommended an aggressive treatment plan: chemotherapy, a double mastectomy, and radiation. Korissa later chose DIEP flap reconstruction, using her own tissue instead of implants.
Now cancer-free, Korissa is adjusting to her new body and sharing her story to encourage others to trust their instincts.
“It’s a warzone, but it’s a beautiful battle zone,” she says.
Dr. Luehmann emphasizes that breast cancer can be difficult to detect, especially in women with dense breast tissue. “Even with clear screenings, symptoms should never be ignored,” she advises.
Korissa’s message is clear: You are never too busy to prioritize your health. Advocate for yourself, ask questions, and follow up when something feels off.