Support system: Kim Bunger and Holly Lintner forged a friendship through breast cancer

Kim Bunger and Holly Lintner have much in common. They are both high-energy, faith-filled women who are married and busy raising three boys.

But what brought these women together was breast cancer and a shared goal to fight the disease.

Both women were diagnosed with breast cancer in April. Bunger's cancer was found at her yearly mammogram, while Lintner suspected something wasn't right and scheduled a mammogram to have things checked out.

"I was noticing a little more tenderness (in my right breast) and the consistency of my breast had changed," Lintner says. "I also felt a spiritual disconcertment, like something wasn't quite right."

A mutual friend brought the two women together.

"My friend, Cheryl Reinagel, asked me to pray for two people who also had cancer," Bunger says.

One of those people was Lintner.

Kim Bunger, left, and Holly Lintner during one of Kim's chemo treatments. (Submitted photo)

"Cheryl told me that Holly had three boys like I did and was a believer like me," Bunger says. "Through prayer, I felt the need to talk to her."

Lintner agrees that spirituality brought she and Bunger together.

"I had never really felt led to call other (cancer) survivors," says Lintner. "This was just another 'God' thing."

The two women began texting, emailing and talking on the phone, and eventually met face to face.

"Holly came to my next chemo treatment," Bunger says. "That's actually where we met."

Since then, Lintner has been there for all three of Bunger's chemo treatments.

"I knew Kim's parents were in Kansas City and that her mom was too ill to travel," Lintner says. "I had my extended family here (to support me), so I wanted to be there for Kim. I think it really helps to have someone to help you stay positive (as the chemo treatments) can be some of your lowest times."

While Bunger, 48, sought treatment and had a lumpectomy in both breasts at Saint Francis Medical Center, Lintner, 35, ended up having a double mastectomy at Siteman Cancer Center in St. Louis.

Lintner chose to have both breasts removed to save her and her family from future worry.

"I just didn't want to be left wondering (if the cancer would return in the other breast)," says Lintner.

Another commonality between Bunger and Lintner is their radical change in their diet after they were diagnosed.

"I started juicing (after I was diagnosed) to get all the bad stuff out of my body," Bunger said. "I did a lot of research and eliminated processed foods, dairy, gluten and processed sugar from my diet."

Bunger ended up losing 25 pounds from the dietary changes and felt undeniably better.

"I gradually added fruits and vegetables that weren't juiced as well as lean meats and eggs, but still nothing with preservatives and additives," she says. "I gained some of the weight back, (in part) because I had to go on steroids, but I feel better than I've felt since high school!"

Lintner also began juicing after her diagnosis.

"I used to drink a lot of caffeine, but now I juice every morning," she says. "I haven't gotten sick (during treatment) even though my immune system has been compromised. My doctors actually marvel at how great my blood work is, and how I'm able to keep up with everyday life."

Bunger and Lintner are both very open about sharing their survival stories with others. Bunger has a CaringBridge site as "kimbunger" where she shares her journey, and Lintner has an open page on Facebook where she shares things like what it's like to prepare for radiation.

"We've both been able to touch other people's lives (with our stories), and we give God all the credit for that," Lintner says.

Bunger even sees her breast cancer as a positive in a way.

"Cancer is not a death sentence," Bunger says. "It was a light (instructing me) to change my life."