Kikkan Randall’s Year: Olympic Glory Followed by Chemotherapy

This article brought back memories of my experience with the same type of breast cancer at the same age, 28 years ago. At that time, I skied for a job, was a single mom and had to keep working to keep my health insurance. The surgeon I went to told me I did not need to change anything, keep working. I had a mastectomy and the oncologist put me on a routine where I could receive chemotherapy once a week. It all worked out but it was a scary time for me.

As a survivor of cancer and chemo (Herceptin was one of the drugs I endured, though not the most toxic one), I support her advocacy of exercise through the treatment phase (12 months for me). My doctors never mentioned the role of exercise; I just continued my daily routine of bicycling, stretching, yoga and strength building, even on days when my energy flagged. The exercise routine helped me feel in control of my body when the chemo was draining me of energy. I am cancer-free now, enjoying my restored hair and exercising every day. (And I am 80 years old!!) Cancer was an inconvenient detour in my life but it does not define my life.

I get goosebumps and tear up when I watch the film of Jesse and Kikkan's gold medal race. All those years of hard work and training are unimaginable. To say that Kikkan is an inspiration is an understatement. She represents the best in the human race, not only in athletics but in character.

So glad to hear you are doing well Kikan. It was such fun watching you train on roller skis in the summers. You flashed by my house in Anchorage polling it up the hill with training partners or, just by yourself. You are an inspiration to all.

A very poignant profile of Kikkan. The insight that you can be on the top of the world, and that you can be more physically fit than most of us mere mortals, and yet still cancer can strike is a reminder to us all to cherish each day, and our loved ones, to the fullest. Because we just never know, as Joni Mitchell put it, when "bad news comes knocking at your garden gate."

Your strength and perseverance are inspiring Kikkan! I am a ten year triple positive breast cancer survivor and my oncologist said Herceptin could be the cure for us! Stay vigilant and aware, ladies. Early detection - self exam and mammogram - saves lives.

Bravo Kikkan on your gold medal and sharing your breast cancer story! Your win brought the beauty and strength of cross-country skiing back into the prominence it deserves. The parallels of competing and beating cancer are many - best of luck. Citing that cancer patients can do more, let me introduce Allen, from Houston, Texas, to this conversation. Diagnosed with Stage 1 male breast cancer in 2003, at age 52, he recovered from his mastectomy and then he took up big mountain climbing, summiting Kilimanjaro. Cancer reappeared in 2006 in his surgery scar and he then climbed on - Rainier, Denali, Aconcagua, Vinson and lessor peaks around the world. Tagged a survivor, Allen learned ten years later his cancer had metastasized into his bones (Stage 4), after returning from climbing Damavand, in Iran. It was 2016. He has since completed a climb of Carstenz Pyramid this past November, been sport climbing in Chamonix and has done extensive hikes in Mongolia and Romania. Allen is not just a male role model and inspiration through his climbing for both men and women breast cancer patients, but a committed and active fundraiser for cancer prevention work. Allen now lives with cancer as a chronic disease. His MD Anderson physician is magical in balancing his lifestyle and treatments. He no longer thinks in terms of being cured, but rather living the fullest life possible - and, that is made real through strenuous exercise, diet and being a deeply positive person.

I wish you the best of the best, Kikkan - thank you for sharing your experiences.

So inspiring!

“I don’t think cancer patients are told enough what they can do.” This comment is so true. My diagnosis actually helped me find my way back to an active and athletic life. Kikkan will inspire many others to do the same. Thanks Christopher Clarey and Alana Paterson for sharing her story.

Randall is an inspiration to all women who get BC in their 30s and not only did she catch it herself early(pea size) but ductal carcinoma is not the most aggressive. Her lifestyle certainly helped her in that obese people are more suseptible. My sister had inflammatory fatal IBC with 2 young kids, was obese, thinking it was post baby weight, ate junk food. IBC doesnt show on mammograms because there is no solid mass, but affects lymph nodes and is marked by red skin on the breast.

I've been following her story & rooting for her. What isn't discussed is there is often already migration of breast cancer cells to the bone marrow even in early stagers (DCIS, etc). There, the breast cancer cells can lie dormant (depending on various conditions), then wake up & discovered as metastatic (incurable) cancer, WELL beyond the 5 year post-treatment milestone. Metastatic breast cancer isn't exactly a total & immediate death sentence, but it does alter quality of life significantly. Researchers are working hard on MBC & I root for them just as much. The average North American woman's risk (w/o a hereditary gene mutation) is 12.5% or 1 in 8. Males can get BC too. Deeply grateful I was granted the opportunity to reduce my personal risk (due to an inherited, pathogenic genetic mutation) close to zero at a top 10 NCI comprehensive center. No surveillance appointments to keep up with for most of the rest of my life. Easiest decision ever, and insurance's medical advisory boards concur (they'd rather pay for prevention than potentially never-ending cancer treatment). Less worry, more life. Timely knowledge = the power of prevention. @PALB2previvor

Stay strong, Kikkan and Jeff. You will conquer this challenge too, and continue to inspire others.

A sincere and heartfelt thanks to Kikkan Randall for sharing her fears, struggles, and personal encounters about her illness. I do believe that photo of Ms. Randall, her son Breck, and husband Jeff Ellis in which everyone is smiling so broadly their deep dimples were captured on film is probably the most encouraging, positive and hopeful message for the world to see. Thank you for sharing that photo and your personal situation with the world. Your smile alone is such a hopeful and comforting sight.

The word ‘hero’ is overused. Kikkan is all of that, irrespective of cancer. Watching her in the Olympics was pure joy. If you are reading NYT comments - best wishes from some fans in NYC!

Hi, Kikkan, I have followed your career since you were in 8th grade in Anchorage, AK. You have been an inspiration to all of us, and all my adult children, who also skied. Keep it up, and our hopes and prayers are with you. Alan Sherry

Having loved ones who have suffered at the hands of this true 'national emergency' it is incomprehensible, and utterly frustrating, how some want to throw untold billions of dollars at a fear mongering vanity project which serves no other purpose. Best wishes Kikkan!

Kikkan Randall is definitely hero material.

Love this profile, and love Kikkan's spirit throughout. We're rooting for you to #FINISHCANCER. (And thanks to you, Kikkan, for all you've done to elevate that message and the passion behind it.)

I was fortunate enough to meet Ms. Randall along with my two nordic skiing daughters at LL. Bean in Freeport, Maine post olympics and pre cancer diagnosis. This event was sponsored by "Fast and Female" a non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring female athletes between that ages of 8 and 18. My daughters were so inspired to be in her presence--I was awed too by Kikkan's humility and generosity of spirt. She passed around her gold medal as it it belonged to all. She was a total inspiration to the entire crowd assembled there that day and we thank her for personifying the best of what it means to be a champion.

We were lucky enough to hang out with the family last year in Bellingham, but didn't know she was diagnosed just a couple of days later. That is heartbreaking. She was so gracious letting all the kids hold her metal (and me). Life isn't fair sometimes. I am confident she will be back to full steam.

I would like to thank Kikkan and her family for sharing her story. She is an inspiration, and Breck is gorgeous. I hope she will live a long and happy life, and that she will be able to have more children if that is what she wants. I'd also like to send this piece to all the acquaintances who asked me "But do they know what caused it?" when I was diagnosed with BC last year. I have been a vegetarian for nearly three decades, I am health-conscious and I exercise every single day - but I'm not an Olympic athlete! It would be beneficial if we could strengthen our commitment to search for solutions, particularly in an increasingly polluted and carcinogenic world.

As the husband of a bc survivor and the son of a survivor turned victim when it came roaring back, I know what Kikkan and her family are enduring. I wish we could make a new national "moon shot" and put our collective resources toward eradicating cancer.

@kikkanimal is one of the most inspiring athletes on the planet and it's no surprise that she is dealing with her cancer in a way that is intended to inspire others, even as she has to tap into her deep reserves of strength and courage. Thanks Chris Clarey for a terrific article. All the best to Kikkan, Jeff, and Breck!

Sad to see yet another woman join the "BC sisterhood", but very pleased to read such an Inspiring story - so needed these days!