Routine mammogram leads to lifesaving discovery for Dyersville woman
October 6, 2026Categories: Cancer Care
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For Lue Bockenstedt, breast cancer was the last thing on her mind.
The Dyersville woman was active, healthy and busy. Between working at a small-town general store and caring for a 100-acre hobby farm with horses, goats, cats and dogs, there was rarely a shortage of things to do.
So, when she noticed some chest tenderness, she assumed it was from farm work.
“I’d just done some fencing where I was hammering, so I thought maybe that tenderness was just from using some muscles that I didn’t typically use,” Lue said.
There was no lump and none of the symptoms she associated with breast cancer. Even during her annual physical exam, there was little reason for concern.
Then came her routine mammogram at MercyOne.
The results showed breast cancer.
“I never expected that,” Lue said. “I had been extremely active, healthy and didn’t have any other conditions. I just did not see it coming.”
The diagnosis reinforced Lue’s belief in the importance of annual mammograms and other recommended cancer screenings.
“I want to have that clean bill of health, or I want to know that there’s something that I need to address,” she said.
Finding a team she could trust
After her diagnosis, Lue faced a question familiar to many people confronting cancer for the first time: Where do I go from here?
Her daughter, Tricia Bockenstedt, helped her research oncology care. Lue wanted high-quality treatment, but she also hoped to receive it close to home.
Together, they chose MercyOne Dubuque Cancer Center.
“I couldn’t be happier,” Lue said. “The staff is amazing, and so is the care. I feel they’re very knowledgeable and professional.”
At MercyOne, Lue underwent testing and evaluation before her cancer team developed an individualized treatment plan. Her journey included chemotherapy and immunotherapy, followed by a lumpectomy in which three lymph nodes were also removed. Radiation therapy followed surgery.
At the time of her interview, only two radiation treatments remained.
“It has been a big year, but a very good year,” she said. “I couldn’t have asked for better care. To trust your team, it’s amazing.”
Lue said the support went beyond receiving treatment. Her MercyOne care team helped her understand what she could do at home to improve her recovery and manage any side effects.
Jessica Kennedy, MSN-RN, CCAP, her nurse navigator, became an important resource throughout that journey, helping Lue with everything from post-surgical exercises to cold therapy during chemotherapy. Lue wore special gloves and stockings containing ice packs during treatment to reduce the risk of neuropathy.
“There were always resources there for me to know what I could do to make sure that I had a successful outcome,” Lue said.
That support continued as she progressed through treatment. When symptoms arose, Lue said communication with her MercyOne physicians and care team helped her manage them. Her primary challenge was fatigue.
“The communication between you and your doctor is so important,” she said. “Whenever I have anything that I need to discuss, they always work with me and get me the help I need.”
Supported inside and outside of the hospital
Lue also credits her family and friends with supporting her throughout the year.
“You’ve got to surround yourself with those that stay positive,” Lue said. “The support that is around, it was unbelievable to me.”
Now, as she approaches the end of radiation therapy, Lue’s experience has given her a simple message for others.
Do not wait for symptoms to take care of your health. Keep up with recommended screenings and annual physicals.
For Lue, that routine mammogram was anything but routine. It started a difficult journey, but it also connected her with a MercyOne team she trusted to help guide her through it.
Celebrating her journey
To celebrate her successful cancer journey, Lue will drop the puck before this year's Dubuque Fighting Saints “Pink the Rink” night, Saturday, Oct. 9, at ImOn Arena. Proceeds from the 50/50 raffle benefit the MercyOne Dubuque Cancer Center.
MercyOne is pleased to team up with the Dubuque Fighting Saints for the fifth consecutive year for “Pink the Rink,” a fundraiser that raises funds and awareness in the fight against cancer.
