So, as I said in my story, I was diagnosed with stage 2 Breast Cancer. It all happened so fast and my GYN, Dr. Ghophrany was an amazing quarterback to get the game going. She scheduled and arranged my first appointments within a day of my first communication with her. I met with my breast surgeon, Dr. Menassah, and then my plastic surgeon, Dr. Passaretti. They all worked together so well all I really needed to do was show up for my big day. On June 12, 2009 I had a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction. Boobs, I thought, who needs them anyway. And people out there are “dying” for fake ones anyway, why should I die because of the real ones. The surgery went as expected and I really was relived to be the one in the operating room out cold and not in the waiting room with my mother, aunt, father and his wife, and my father-in-law and his wife, and Tim and thankful for him his best friend Jason. When I woke up I was even surprised to see that my boobs were still there. Dr.P does amazing work. No nipples at that point but full boobs. The hospital stay was pretty uneventful with the exception of one panic attack. My amazing support system was there for every moment (with the exception of the panic attack! Which was my own fault. Shouldn’t have tried to be the tough gal. My memories of those days are a little blurry […]
Read MoreI am often asked how do I do it. With my two little boys and one big one (Tim, my awesome husband), my days are packed full. My days begin with getting my children ready for “school” (toddler programs with extended daycare). I drop them off and am running to my first client. I am an Occupational Therapist and work with children four days a week. After my work day is over I pick up my boys, do some kind of activity with them, get dinner ready and anxiously wait for Tim to get home. Then the hand off. Tim is my biggest supporter and source of strength. When I need a boost he is always there to give it no matter what it is. When he gets home and he takes over. Most days that is when I am off to work out – run, swim, bike, yoga, strength, what ever I need to do he supports me in getting it done. My goal in life is to live a long time!
Read MoreMy story: 7 years ago I met the man of my dreams. We got married in March of 2005 bought our first home, a one bedroom apartment in NYC. We had our first child Wyatt, in August of 2006. Our second boy, Nate came in 2008. We moved to Stamford CT a few months after that and in 2009 I was diagnosed with Stage 2 Breast Cancer. Oh I forgot to mention just before I was diagnosed I did my first ever sprint triathlon just four days before the “big news”. It was a long road but two years later, practically to the day, I completed my second sprint triathlon and I am not stopping!!! My mantra- Taken from Melissa Ethridge’s song, I just added a few words “I Swim,Bike, Run for Life“. My hope – Is that I can help educate and encourage other women to take their health in their own hands and stay happy and healthy. Life is way to short.
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