Crystal Lake resident Julie Hermann, a cancer survivor, was invited on field with her oldest son, Jack Hermann, during pregame introductions for the Chicago Bears’ home opener against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. | Provided Photo

A cancer survivor and Crystal Lake resident was recognized as a special guest during a flag ceremony where she was invited to unfurl the flag at the Chicago Bears game on Sunday.

Julie Hermann was recognized as the Chicago Bears’ special guest during the Bear Down Flag Ceremony on Sunday.

Advocate Health Care and the Bears invited Hermann, a Crystal Lake resident and patient at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington, to help unfurl the giant flag at Soldier Field during pregame introductions for the Bears’ home opener against the Tennessee Titans.

She was joined on the field by her oldest son, Jack Hermann, before enjoying the game in the stands with the rest of her family.

Hermann, 51, is a wife and mother of two boys. She has a career as an analyst and serves as director of her church’s choir.

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Crystal Lake resident Julie Hermann, a cancer survivor, was invited on field with her oldest son, Jack Hermann, during pregame introductions for the Chicago Bears’ home opener against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. | Provided Photo

Her journey with breast cancer began in September 2023 when she noticed a lump in her armpit and thought it was a swollen lymph node from being sick.

Hermann has no family history of breast cancer and gets her scheduled mammograms.

She noticed the lump was not going away and made an appointment to see a doctor.

Hermann’s obstetrician found the lump concerning and she was recommended to Dr. Barry Rosen, a breast surgeon at Advocate Health Care.

Rosen arranged a same-day appointment and took a biopsy of the lump.

Hermann’s mammogram did not detect cancer but Rosen diagnosed her with breast cancer after reviewing the results of her biopsy.

“I honestly thought there couldn’t be anything wrong with me… now I tell my friends who do breast self-exams to check their armpits, too,” Hermann said. “If my story can help, I want to share it.”

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Crystal Lake resident Julie Hermann, a cancer survivor, and her family attended the Chicago Bears’ home opener game against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. | Provided Photo

Herman saw Dr. Sandeep Chunduri, an oncologist at Advocate Health Care, shortly after her diagnosis and he confirmed she had Stage 3C triple-negative breast cancer and started her on a chemotherapy protocol.

Following 16 rounds of chemotherapy, Hermann chose to have a double mastectomy and start breast reconstruction.

The chemotherapy was successful and she recently began radiation therapy five days a week.

Hermann said she looks forward to completing radiation so she can return to her job and continue living her life.

“The nurses and staff at Advocate Good Shepherd were amazing. I cannot say enough good things about them. They were so loving, caring and respectful. While I was happy to be done with chemo, I was sad to leave them,” Hermann said.

Hermann said she hopes her story will inspire others and serve as a reminder to see a doctor when something does not seem right.

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“I have met several breast cancer survivors throughout this process, and it’s so helpful,” Hermann said. “If anyone needs someone to talk to, I will talk to them and help them through the process or just be a listening ear.”