A little about me/my breast cancer story.

I was diagnosed in March of 2021, 3 ½ years ago.   Within 6 days I was in the hospital for surgery.  Following surgery I had a regular course of radiation followed by a series of boost focused radiation treatments.  After radiation I started on an aromatase inhibitor (AI) 

I have not had a great time on this treatment.   It was scheduled to be for 5 10 years.  I had such bad hot flashes when I started, I almost couldn’t keep count.  They were constant.  I developed carpal tunnel in both wrists at the same time-a weird side effect.   The joint pain, fatigue and stiffness are intolerable some days and along with the arthritis like symptoms I have bursitis as well.   I have worn a holter monitor due to heart palpitations, and on and on.  

When I first began  on AI’s I had a baseline bone density scan because this medication can cause bone loss.   My scan was great, like the bones of a 30 year old they said—don’t’ worry.   But I did take calcium supplements.  Vitamin D.  Collagen.  I walked and walked, went to yoga classes.   Ate dairy.  All just to maintain my great bones.   In April I had my repeat scan and not only had I lost bone, I had had significant bone loss.   I fall in the osteopenia category, but not far from the osteoporosis line.   I am weight training as well as everything else now, hoping to stop the loss and be able to make the 5 year mark on this medicine.

My why’s for participating in Run for the Cure are many, but when it comes to what I want to raise money for, it is for finding better treatments for us survivors.  Because it’s not just surviving, not just fighting cancer it is also so that the life we have after can be a good quality one.

I run for me.  I run for my sister Sherri. I run for my cousin Colleen.  I run for my late cousin Carole. I run for my sister-in-law Leslee.

       Team Cancer Kicking Cousins

Thank you! I appreciate your generous support