GOSHEN COUNTY – There is no mistake in pointing out the help and community-support that Goshen County residents give to one another when they need it the most.

It is the simple acts of everyday kindness that truly matter, and we often take these things for granted mainly because it truly is a second-natured thing in the area.

If a neighbor needs their animals looked after while they go out of town, rest assured they will always have someone to look after them with everything they need.

If there is a fellow community member stranded on the side of the road with a flat tire in winter, there is no doubt in any of our minds that one person is going to step up and make sure they get the assistance they need.

These are all the little things that happen regularly, and it’s a well-earned reputation Goshen residents have developed over the years. It is tight-knit, and when the time comes we are always there to help one another.

Of course, taking care of animals, assisting with a little car trouble, or even helping an acquaintance move some heavy furniture are indeed some of the things we deeply appreciate. When we look at things from a bigger standpoint however, these are just small difficulties that we face occasionally.

Then, of course, there are times when something enormous comes along. Often times, the biggest adversaries quietly sneak up on us. It is only then are we humbly reminded that a friend, neighbor, or loved one’s life can change overnight in the blink of an eye.

Perhaps when these situations do arise is when we are powerfully reminded of who we are, and what it is we are here to do in life.

Torrington resident, Kelcie Sargent, graduated from Lingle-Fort Laramie High School back in 2020. At first glance one would characterize her as the epitome of a youthful, healthy person with endless potential for a bright, successful future.

With a healthy lifestyle brought on by the teachings of a loving supportive mother, Heather Saul, one would never guess that such a vibrant Goshen County resident would soon be faced with the one word none of us want to hear.

It was merely weeks ago last month that Sargent noticed what appeared to be a harmless, yet irritating lump that seemed mysteriously to come about quickly and unannounced. 

After wisely heeding the advice of her fellow coworkers, Sargent felt that the most responsible thing to do would be to get the lump examined a s a precautionary measure.

It wouldn’t be long after going to the clinic that Sargent would discover that she had tested positive for breast cancer.

“I was told over the phone, and they didn’t tell me what stage it was in, so that was scary,” Sargent began. “The first thing they told me is that it was benign at first. Then I got the mammogram, ultra sound and biopsy. The biopsy took a week to come back, and showed that there were cancer cells. I’m usually the type where I don’t check things out right away. I typically would’ve waited, but it was swelling and developed inflammation fast, so that was concerning.”

When Sargent received word from her physician of what she was going to be facing, she admittedly at first was filled with an overwhelming sense of fear and uncertainty.

Just like that, things in life went from total clarity and assurance on everything, to absolutely nothing being certain.

“I feel like it was very discouraging at first,” Sargent continued. “I haven’t been to work. Also myself and my roommate had planned on leaving Wyoming for a trip, but we can’t do that anymore because I have to finish my cancer treatments first. I was studying online at Iowa, but school and work has been put on pause for now. I’m getting weekly injections where the tumor is located, which is supposed to help.”

Although Sargent has just begun what is sure to be a perplexing journey, she is anything but alone in moving forward. With the help of a caring and devoted family, Sargent’s battle has only just begun. Her mother reached out on behalf of not only her daughter, but for the dozens of Goshen County families that are experiencing, or have experienced the stress that cancer can bring.

One thing both women were sincere about, is the tremendous and often overlooked feelings of isolation and fear cancer can cause.

“Right now, Kelcie has a great team working together out of Colorado and Scottsbluff,” Saul said. “They are giving her the right guidance on what we need to do next. It’s a very aggressive breast cancer, and she was diagnosed just six months after her 21 birthday. The world just kind of stopped for a moment. You wouldn’t think of this at her age, and being so young. During school we are always taught that 40 or older is when we need to get mammograms, not at 21. It’s crazy, and I’m proud of my daughter that she can be a voice for that age group. I get it because it’s so new, and cancer is not fair at all. She can’t go out with her friends and do all these things that other young adults are doing. We are just taking it step by step, and day by day. There’s just so much unknown.

“It’s just crazy, the diagnosis,” Saul added. “The scary part is the unknown and it all happened so fast. You’re still trying to grasp everything, and what the next step is. It’s really does take a mental and emotional toll. The first round didn’t do what they wanted to do, so the question is if the second round doesn’t seem to work, what is our next step going forward? What’s going to be next?”

As Saul continued to express genuine feelings of any mother in her family’s situation, Sargent simply leaned back in her chair and giggled with a bit of confident assurance.

“Giggling is a coping mechanism,” Saul laughed. “She’s a giggler. I cry and she laughs, and sometimes it’s vice versa. Even when we first heard that it came back positive, we still had the hope of it being false and everything’s going to be fine. And then she goes back and hears all this other stuff added to it and you’re just like, ‘Whoa. No.’ You just don’t want to believe it, but it’s there.”

With what so many would accurately consider a cruel reminder of the unfair realities of life, it was with elegant grace that both women were powerfully resounding that the battle has just begun.

A battle with the overwhelming support of our communities, and one Sargent is prepared to win.

“Cancer messed with the wrong person,” Saul stated. “We are in this together. This is one fight we are going to win all together. Just the support and love from the community has been so overwhelming, and awesome. There needs to be more awareness within the age group for her. If there’s something that you find abnormal, go get it checked and prevent anything further. It’s okay to not be okay. If we had waited another six months, it could’ve gone through her lymph nodes, and could’ve been a lot more damaging. It was inflamed for three days before she went in.”

The smile from Sargent’s face never wavered as she and her mother prepared to venture out; back to a journey of the unknown as both women so eloquently put it.

It was the smile of a peaceful warrior. One who has chosen to use dignity, grace, courage, and the support of a loving family and community to face a cruel, powerful enemy that so many know too well.

When it came to faith, Sargent attributed her trust in God as her biggest strength thus far in her battle.

“I’m pretty religious, so I feel like I’ve been guided through the whole journey,” Sargent said. “That’s honestly my biggest thing and strength. It’s knowing that there is always a reason and plan, even if it’s not something we planned to be a part of in life. That’s been my biggest thing. The support is not only from the community, but even people that I’ve played against in sports. I just feel so very grateful.”

Her mother was quick to further add, “With more prayers that go up, more blessings will come down. So please keep praying.”

If you would like more information on how to support Kelcie Sargent, please visit the group page, Kelcie’s Corner, currently available Facebook.