Lake Park Woman Finds Strength in Quilt During Cancer Battle

FARGO — Rondi Ulmer, a resident of Lake Park, Minnesota, found comfort and support during her chemotherapy treatments for breast cancer last year through a unique quilt filled with heartfelt messages. The quilt, crafted by her sister-in-law, Kate Ulmer, features stitched panels that contain encouraging notes from friends and family, turning the fabric into a tangible reminder of love and strength during a challenging time.

As Ulmer began her treatments, she was diagnosed on February 17, 2025, with triple-negative breast cancer at Stage 3. This aggressive form of cancer can spread to lymph nodes or other tissues, presenting a daunting outlook. Ulmer began her chemotherapy on March 3, 2025, coinciding with National Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Awareness Day, and underwent surgery to remove seven lymph nodes before starting radiation therapy.

The inspiration for the quilt emerged from a previous experience when a friend of Ulmer’s passed away from cancer. At that time, friends sent messages of support via email, which were later displayed on a quilt at her friend’s funeral. This emotional gesture left a lasting impact on Ulmer, who expressed a desire for a similar source of comfort during her own treatment journey.

“I wanted to have a quilt with messages from my friends as I went through treatments,” Ulmer recalled. “I don’t want those messages to go up on a wall after I’m gone. I want those messages close.”

Kate Ulmer, a breast cancer survivor herself, began creating the quilt around Easter last year. Although it was incomplete at the time, she intended to add more messages over the course of Rondi’s treatment. The quilt became a collaborative project filled with humor, love, and encouragement. One panel even features a lighthearted text exchange among Rondi’s siblings about shaving her head as she lost her hair due to chemotherapy.

While navigating her diagnosis, Rondi Ulmer focused on maintaining a positive mindset. She reflected on advice from a friend who had survived breast cancer, encouraging her to stay present rather than worry about an uncertain future. “If you start traveling in the future, it’s 100% unknown, and it’s 100% nothing you can do about it,” Ulmer shared.

Despite the challenges she faced, Ulmer acknowledged that the past year also brought significant personal growth. Through her journey, she has received encouraging messages ranging from heartfelt prayers to light-hearted jokes. One touching note came from a student at Perham Middle School, where Ulmer previously taught Earth science, stating she was “stronger than a metamorphic rock,” a nod to her resilience.

On January 26, 2025, Rondi Ulmer celebrated a significant milestone by ringing the bell at her treatment center, symbolizing the end of her chemotherapy. “I got the best possible outcome from my treatments,” she said. “I was fortunate. I was blessed.”

While her recovery story is one of hope, Ulmer remains sensitive to the reality that not everyone shares the same outcome. “I want to be sensitive to the fact that not everybody gets to finish their journey,” she noted. Through her experience, Ulmer hopes to inspire others facing similar battles, demonstrating that support and positivity can make a profound difference during difficult times.