Dream Big quilt created to inspire other women

In December 2015, Teri Peitzmeier, of Neligh, was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her journey began like it does for most breast cancer patients – after she received a breast cancer screening mammogram.

She chose to have a mammogram done at Antelope Memorial Hospital, with its new 3D mammography equipment. Mammogram images revealed an extremely small mass, half the size of a credit card number, in her right breast. Had Peitzmeier completed a 2D mammogram instead of the 3D version, the lesion could have easily been missed because of its small size.

Following the biopsy, Peitzmeier was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive case of breast cancer. She was told she was a stage 1A, with an aggression stage of 4 and had BRCA 2, triple negative breast cancer. BRCA 2 is a hereditary gene which increases the risk of its carriers developing breast cancer.

Due to Peitzmeier's diagnosis, an aggressive treatment plan was developed. It began with a surgical lumpectomy, followed by eight rounds of intravenous chemotherapy. This eventually led to a double mastectomy and oophorectomy.

As many know, Peitzmeier is an avid and talented quilter. During chemo treatments, she would browse through quilting magazines and came across an image termed "Dream Big" that caught her eye. She deemed the image was fitting for her, as well as many other cancer patients. She had been searching for a way to lift the spirits of other men and women fighting cancer. She decided to create dream big quilts to inspire them to keep dreaming of being cancer-free.

"I wanted to share my message of dreaming big at the place where my breast cancer story began - the AMH mammography suite," said Peitzmeier. "I'm aware of the stress that having a cancer screening can bring and hope that this quilt will provide some comfort to patients receiving their mammograms at AMH."

Peitzmeier's story is an inspiration for all women and men who are going through a cancer experience.

Peitzmeier was able to do what most can't with her diagnosis. She beat the odds and defeated her cancer. As of January, she's been in remission for three years and hopes to get to the magic five-year mark.

Through all that a cancer diagnosis brings, Peitzmeier has kept a positive attitude while doing her best to keep moving forward and raising up everyone around her. She is truly an inspiration to others.