'A Godsend': 2 Women Forge Unforgettable Bond In Breast Cancer Battles

NEW LENOX, IL — Two teachers at the same Romeoville school found themselves connected by another, unlikely thread—and it would lead to the beginning of a friendship of a lifetime.

New Lenox resident Laura Gress and Michelle Pytel, of Homer Glen, had both taught at Irene King School in Romeoville for more than four years. And while they casually knew of one another, their breast cancer diagnoses created a special bond that has helped them power through their health journeys. It's left an impression on both, with Gress saying some divine intervention seemed at work.

"I can’t think it’s anything else, than to say it’s just like a Godsend," Gress said.

The two women were diagnosed just months apart, with Gress first in October 2022 and Pytel later, in March 2023.

Having just celebrated her 40th birthday, Gress was stunned by her diagnosis.

"I was living my best life," Gress said. "I had lost 60 pounds, thought I was in great shape. ... A month and a half later, I went for a routine mammogram, called me back for a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound. I didn’t really think much of it."

But fear of breast cancer ran deep for Gress, whose mother died from it just three years after her own diagnosis, Gress said.

"I knew I had to prepare myself," she said.

With her self-professed dark sense of humor at the ready, she underwent additional tests and scans.

"I left there, in my heart of hearts knowing that it was cancer," Gress said.

A biopsy would reveal stage 2 breast cancer. Her mother had treated her cancer conservatively with a lumpectomy, Gress said, and she found herself wanted to attack her own more aggressively.

"Your life flashes before your eyes," Gress said. "I knew I wanted to be as radical as possible with my treatment."

In January 2023, the single mom and mother to twin 18-year-old boys underwent a double mastectomy. She sought additional treatment, including chemotherapy and 28 rounds of radiation. As she endured treatment, she felt her identity hang in the balance.

"I did have big boobs before this, so that was part of my trademark. ... Long, blond hair," she said. "You’re losing everything that makes you, you."

Gress utilized a scalp cooling cap during chemotherapy in hopes of retaining her hair, and had expanders placed for future reconstructive surgery on her breasts.

After her treatments and ahead of her reconstructive surgery, she returned to her special education preschool at the school. She'd soon learn that her colleague Pytel, a first grade teacher at the school, also had been diagnosed with breast cancer.

For Pytel, 45, her first alarms sounded in January 2023, when she discovered a brownish red fluid coming from her nipple after a workout.

" Naturally, you try not to go down any rabbit holes," Pytel said, and she quickly scheduled an appointment with her OB/Gyne doctor. Her doctor recommended she visit a breast specialist, but the soonest opening as a new patient was a month later, Pytel said.

Also a mother to twin boys (8 years old), and a 14-year-old boy, Pytel underwent a mammogram and ultrasound, MRI and breast biopsy before receiving her diagnosis.

She was leaving school in March 2023 when she received word.

"From that point on, they wanted to do three more breast biopsies, which are not fun at all," Pytel said. "I was grateful that those were not cancerous.

"I decided right away—I knew I wanted a double mastectomy. I did not want to go through the breast biopsies ever again."

In the meantime, as the two women walked the same halls at the school, Gress found her way to Pytel's side.

"Even though I had just been diagnosed, I was still thinking 'she’s too young, too fit,'" Gress said. "It really connected us, even though we both have very strong support systems, no one knows what you’re feeling when you get that diagnosis, especially the emotional toll."

Gress swooping into Pytel's classroom was a welcome surprise, Pytel said.

"Laura found out, showed up in my classroom. … It was so amazing, we knew each other because we work in the same building," she said. "Outside of a ‘hi’ we really just didn’t connect as much. For her to just run down and take the time, really was such a humbling, amazing experience—that God puts people in my life when you need them the most, and that was Laura for me."

The two began attending each others' doctors' appointments, each sometimes taking notes for the other, as they were hit with medical terms and next steps. Both speak highly of treatment provided at Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital and Northwestern Memorial Hospital, as well as the Northwestern Medicine Orland Park and Tinley Park facilities.

"Naturally you’re going to these doctor’s appointments," Pytel said, "They’re not speaking your language, you have no idea what they’re talking about. You’re kind of at a loss, you’re anxious."

That's when their friendship came in key.

"The fact that we can go through these things together," Gress said, "... To have someone else go through every step of the journey with you … it’s just so valuable."

Then on the other side of her own double mastectomy, Gress took Pytel out for lunch shortly before hers. They talked about what to expect, what would come after. Sharing those moments brought them both comfort, Pytel said. They talked for six hours that day.

" It just really meant so much to me, to have somebody who could emphasize," Pytel said. "She knew exactly what I was going through. It was just such a nice listening ear."

The two have also been on the same medication—Tamoxifen—another way they could be there for each other.

"We’ve been there for each other," Gress said. "We’ve both had celebratory moments and setbacks. It is important for us to be there for each other through this journey."

Pytel had her double mastectomy in May 2023, followed by reconstructive surgery. Since then, she's experienced a setback, with a pinhole opening in her skin and one of the implants needing to be removed. She's healing now, and hopes to soon have the implant once again put in place.

Gress ran into her own obstacle, with an infection forming around one of her tissue expanders in May 2023. The expander was removed, and replaced in August. Infection once again struck, but was cleared up soon after. In October, she underwent deep flap reconstructive surgery, where surgeons take abdominal fat to form breasts.

Once again, her humor came in handy.

"Silver lining, now I have that flat stomach I’ve always wanted," she joked.

The timing of all this—and the significance of her friendship with Pytel—are not lost on Gress.

"I find it a coincidence, similar ages, both have twins, live in close proximity," she said. "The fact that we both faced this, were diagnosed within five months of each other...

"It’s a Godsend we can be there for each other. That’s the only way I can describe it."

Both women speak of their families and support systems as devoted and inspiring.

"My heart is so full with how many people have shown up in such a variety of capacities," Gress said.

Pytel echoed that.

"My family and friends, families of students, everybody’s just been so uplifting, so supportive," Pytel said. "It makes it a little bit easier when you have trying times or setbacks, knowing you have the support of everyone around you. Knowing that truly you’re not alone."

Pytel said the two hope that their story of friendship, compassion, and empathy in dark times for each can inspire others. Their bond is one for the books.

"It’s just been a fantastic friendship," Pytel said. "I feel like I’ve known her my whole life now.

"... We hope to keep paying it forward, and helping others."