3 sisters develop strong bond after battling breast cancer at the same time

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Through posters and positivity, a Louisville family has navigated three cancer diagnoses, all at the same time.

"All three of us within 6 months found out we were dealing with a breast cancer situation," April LaFramboise said.

April's youngest sister, Brandee Kaelin, was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer in December 2021.

"Mindset is everything," Kaelin said. "Be positive because what other choice do you have?"

Kaelin's cancer was metastatic, meaning it spread from her breasts to at least one other organ.

"It started in my breasts and then my lymph nodes," Kaelin said. "We did more scans and saw that it had spread to my liver."

LaFramboise said it was hard to see her 'baby sis' go through chemotherapy.

"She's a great role model for all of us," LaFramboise said. "She has 100 percent been a positive light and the leader of the family."

Two months later, their middle sister, Krystal Norris, found out she had stage one breast cancer. LaFramboise proactively had surgery to reduce her chances of getting cancer.

"After the surgery they said 'we're going to send you to the oncologist because you have DCIS [Ductal carcinoma in situ] cancer as well,'" LaFramboise said. "I was the lucky one."

About 1 in 8 women get a breast cancer diagnosis throughout the course of their life.

Brian Dong works in UofL Health's division of medical oncology and hematology and specializes in breast cancer. While Dong said it's somewhat common to have breast cancer run in a family, these three sisters weren't aware of any genetic link.

"We've done all the genetic testing," Kaelin said. "Nothing has shown up yet."

While they're hesitant to call themselves "cured," all three sisters said they're doing well now.

"Krystal went through chemotherapy and then did not have to go through radiation," LaFramboise said. "Brandee calls it her 'spa day' when she goes in for treatment every three weeks."

The past few years have been a whirlwind for this family, but these sisters said they have a tighter bond than ever because of this shared experience.

"You get to see the good side of people," Kaelin said. "Cancer's no good, but people chipped in and were supportive, and that helps."

The sisters even wear "Sister Strong" bracelets with their names on them. The sisters hope their story encourages other women to not skip their annual mammograms.

"Space your mammograms out from your annual exam with your doctor," LaFramboise said. "It just helps to get more checks because it can definitely creep up on you, and it's scary."