A Warrior’s Story
Like all women, I was in shock when I found out I had breast cancer. How could this happen to me? Cancer doesn’t run in my family, I lead a relatively healthy lifestyle, and my breasts don’t have a surplus of tissue 😊….so many questions as my brain was in disbelief.
After the initial shock and denial quickly ran their course, I went into solution mode. I approached it like I do the business problems my team solves in Coca-Cola’s corporate strategy and planning function – discovery to see what options are out there, focus on facts and data, compare the best options, understand the risk/reward, select the best option, and move forward! I was so blessed that many women were willing to talk with me about their personal journeys so I could learn and consider multiple angles, as everyone’s path must be her own.
I chose to fight cancer head-on with a bias toward aggressive treatment. I didn’t want to be in the same situation a few years from now, so I took proactive action to diminish the probability of recurrence. Treatment efficacy is all about statistics based on empirical data and studies, so you must be prepared to live with some uncertainty of both the intended and unintended consequences.
With a bilateral mastectomy behind me, I was deemed cancer free! However, based on genome testing of my cancer cells, they were aggressive enough that my Oncologist recommended preventative chemo to improve my odds of avoiding a recurrence. The chemo introduced several unfortunate side effects, including infections, tachycardia (rapid heartbeats), and GIRD, which were all managed by medication. I felt like a walking pharmacy!
As I was fighting aggressively to rid my body of any remnant cancer cells, I chose to fight to keep my hair as something to focus on that could have a positive outcome, which I was desperately searching for. The cold-capping during chemo treatments worked, and I was able to save most of my hair. I achieved that visibly positive outcome!
Once I finished chemo, I continued with reconstruction surgeries, which ended up being more than planned due to multiple complications. After the third surgery, and after my immune system regained strength from the chemo, I decided to take control and get back to a healthy body and lifestyle. I’d had enough of feeling tired and weak, which was not how I saw myself!
I had worked out at CORE57 a few times over the past several years, and my kids had done sports training there as well. I knew I needed to work with someone that had a personalized approach, so I called Kolleen to see what type of program would be best for someone with my health history. After a personal discussion and evaluation, we landed a plan to reintroduce my body to strength and fitness training. She paired me with an instructor who happens to be a close friend, Pam Giddings, for private sessions so we could focus on my specific needs and work through my limited mobility after surgeries. I felt very comfortable with Pam, and she held my hand and built my confidence through the first month of strength and mobility training.
As I am a “people person” and get energy from others, I was eager to join the group fitness classes. Pam and Kolleen guided me to select the classes that would be safe for my recovering body, and I jumped in. All of the instructors knew about my situation and talked with me before the classes started to make sure I knew of alternative moves for my restricted motion. I felt like a VIP!
I landed on the evening classes, and enjoy the variety of workouts throughout the week. One of the best parts of CORE57, besides the phenomenal instructors, is the members. They quickly adopted me as part of their CORE57 family, and we enjoy spending our one-hour together at the gym to catch up socially, as well as push each other physically and mentally through the class. I am thankful to call them my gym family and look forward to celebrating life together outside of the gym as well.
I am a survivor, coming up on three years of being cancer free! I honestly don’t think I would be in such good shape mentally and physically if it weren’t for my CORE57 family. Thank you for the personal investment you make with all of your members, and for making our gym unique and special for us all!
