by Mike Schnitzel
After a friend was diagnosed with breast cancer, Krill decided to have a mammogram. Her paternal grandmother had contracted breast cancer at age 35, and died from the illness two years later. Nothing was detected during Krill's mammography and sonogram.
Six weeks later, however, a doctor found a lump on her breast during a routine checkup. Krill was diagnosed with breast cancer, which had already spread to her lymph nodes. "Initially I was very surprised," she recalled. "I'm healthy, I eat right, I exercise. That was the worst day ever -- your life changes in an instant. It's especially hard with three young kids, but they were great."
That was January 2004. After the diagnosis, Krill had three operations and four months of chemotherapy.
One year later, she was back on the job full-time. She works at the Nassau County Police Department's Fifth Precinct, a job she has held since 1994. After four months back on the job, Krill had surgery to remove her ovaries and fallopian tubes on April 26. The surgery was performed as a precaution, because women who have had breast cancer have a higher risk of developing ovarian cancer.
It was during the surgery that it was discovered that Krill's cancer had returned. "I was stunned, to put it mildly," she said. "I was back on full duty, and I promised the kids a regular summer, no operations."
Despite the setback, Krill remains upbeat. "It was just devastating, but you pick yourself up, do what you've got to do, and fight," she said.
Throughout her ordeal, Krill has been able to count on the support of her family and friends. She and her husband, Kenny, have three children -- Cassandra, 6, Colton, 4, and Tyler, 3. "Being so young, they really didn't understand," she said. "The first time I lost my hair, I told them that with the medicine they gave me, a chemo shark goes through your body and eats bad cells and some good cells, and that's why Mommy lost her hair. In some ways I think it was better that they were younger and didn't understand."
Now that the cancer has returned, things have changed a bit. "The 6-year-old understands more now," Krill said. "She asked me if I was going to die and if I was scared. She's a little more focused now on the hair thing," she added, laughing.
Krill now faces three more months of chemotherapy, during which she hopes to be able to work as much as she possibly can. "My priority is to get back to work as soon as possible," she said. "It keeps your mind on important things, gives you some normalcy. Plus it's a great job."
Many people have been impacted by Krill's illness. Sgt. Mary Farrell is a police supervisor in medical administration, and was one of the people who nominated Krill for the TR Award. "It's quite amazing to be overcome by a disease and to be so selfless to face her illness with the attitude and sense of humor she does," said Farrell.
Officer Vittorio Tossidel met Krill at the police academy, and has worked with her ever since. "She's always willing to give you a hand whenever you need it," said Tossidel. "She's fun to be with on and off the job. I don't know anybody who doesn't like her."
Officer Mary Ann Hernon has worked with Krill since the latter's arrival at the Fifth Precinct in 1994. "She never complains about anything," said Hernon. "She's got three kids at home, and she comes to work and she's sick, but you'd never know it. She's inspirational."
Krill will be done with chemotherapy at the end of September, and hopes to be back at work full-time by October.
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