After Laura Gress found out she had breast cancer in the spring of 2022, she was so overwhelmed she drank herself to sleep.

Just 40 at the time of her diagnosis, she couldn’t escape thoughts of her own mortality. Her mom had died of the same disease.

Gress, of New Lenox, had started yearly mammograms at 37 because of her family history. Because of her dense breasts, she had a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound, which led to the diagnosis.

After a double mastectomy, radiation, chemotherapy and finally reconstructive surgery, she realized she could start living again. Having the support of her husband, two teenage sons helped, along with and doctors and staff affiliated with Northwestern Medicine-Palos Health.

She resumed her career, teaching special education preschool at Irene King Elementary School in Romeoville. A year later, her colleague Michelle Pytel, of Homer Glen, was diagnosed with breast cancer in the spring of 2023. The two didn’t know each other well at the time, but after she heard the news, Gress was there for her fellow teacher. Pytel teaches first grade at the school and received care at some of the same Northwestern facilities as Gress.

“I truly just couldn’t believe it,” Gress said. “I went down to her classroom and I knew exactly what she was thinking and how she was feeling.

“My heart just broke for her.”

The two bonded over their shared experienced, and now refer to themselves as “breasties.”

Gress said she ended up getting as much empathy as she was giving.

“As much as I wanted to be her rock, she’s just as much a rock for myself,” she said.

In January, Pytel noticed brownish red fluid coming from her nipple after a workout. She saw a breast specialist, had a mammogram and ultrasound, MRI and breast biopsy before receiving her diagnosis. Then she and her husband had to figure out how to break the news to her 14-year-old son and 8-year-old twins.

“That night I think I stared at the TV, but I couldn’t really talk to my husband about it because I didn’t want to talk to the twins yet,” said Pytel, 45.

As soon as Gress learned about her colleague’s diagnosis, she went to Pytel’s classroom and helped her through paperwork and understanding her diagnoses.

“The weekend before my double mastectomy, we went out for soup and she helped me by just listening and talking me through the things that could happen,” Pytel said. “It helped alleviate some of those anxieties because it was the fear of the unknown.

“Just knowing that no matter what happened when I woke up from my double mastectomy, there would be someone on the other side to help me go through the next steps.”

Now the two can be found chatting with each other in each other’s homes, going out to lunch, enjoying margarita nights and attending doctor appointments together.

Their relationship helped in a way unique to those who have shared similar challenges.

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“People are looking at you with sad eyes and maybe you don’t want sad eyes,” Pytel said. “Even some of my best friends have said, ‘We’re so happy you have Laura because we don’t know exactly how you’re feeling, but she does.’”

Gress said Pytel intuitively knew how she was feeling.

“Even as much as they can try, it’s just not the same because they don’t know on an emotional level what you’re going through,” Gress said. “You can look fine and smile but it doesn’t negate that it is very challenging.”

In May, Gress developed an infection and had to have a tissue expander that was in place until reconstruction surgery removed. It was put back in August before her surgery in October. But she remains upbeat.

Their health care providers also have helped them persevere.

“I felt like they were family because, for example, when I would go to receive radiation treatment (every day), I really developed a rapport with them,” Gress said.

Janice Neumann is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.