May 9, 2001 changed my life, for it was on this day I was told I had breast cancer. My best friend and I researched my options and spoke with several physicians. I was 39 years old and treated with surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. I donated an 18 ½ inch long braid to Locks of Love, it was the only thing I felt I had any control over.

Things were going along well and I felt like my health was on the right track I was on the road to reaching my 5 year anniversary of being a survivor. But 5 months shy of that “magic mark” (January 2006) I was diagnosed with Paget’s disease, another form of breast cancer. Other tests found that I also had 22 nodules in both my lungs. I had a lung resection done and the diagnoses came back that I had metastatic breast cancer in my lungs. The DNA from the lung samples matched the samples from the breast cancer I had in 2001. I again had chemotherapy treatments and also received target therapy for a year.
I did celebrate my 5 years with a hot air balloon ride. Sailing over the Allegheny forest, picking virgin leaves from the tops of trees, and seeing our reflection in a pond below us was so incredible. It was important to me to celebrate life.

In August 2007 a suspicious spot in my lung showed up on a scan so I had a third section of my right lung removed. Awesome news, the reports came back clean. Then a November CT scan caused the doctor to order a PET scan, but what now? The results were not what one wants to hear during the Christmas season…The metastatic breast cancer had returned but traveled now to a third site, my chest cavity (December 2007). My treatments now included chemotherapy and target therapy. In May 2009, even though I was on treatments, the PET scan showed that the cancer was back in the lung and sternum again. The spot in the lung is now clean (August 09) but we are still doing chemotherapy to try and get the sternum to be cancer free.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. I’ve been involved in several awareness events through out the years raising money for breast cancer organizations. In 2009 I was Miss January in a local breast cancer survivors’ calendar to raise funds for the RCC and the Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation. I wanted to do more because I want to see John’s invention a reality. I’ve been following everything on TV, the website, and saving all the newspaper articles about the invention that would change lives. I always solicit friends and family for donations during October. Last year I gave them the option of donating to the American Cancer Society for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk or the Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation. I was so excited when I raised over $800 for each organization.
A couple of weeks ago I went to hear Dr. Curley speak about the progress the research is making and that things are moving in the right direction. I was so excited I cried when I got to shake his hand and thank him for continuing the dream.
So, last week while I sat and had chemotherapy at the Regional Cancer Center my best friend and I stuffed 150 envelopes to send out the new brochures about the Foundation. My 95-year old, Uncle Lou in NJ refers to John as "my friend with the cancer killing machine."

I keep myself going by spending time with family across the country, kayaking, volunteering with Brownie Scouts and at the Erie Zoo, and I am a teacher of students with special needs.
My faith is very strong and I know that God has been with me every step of the way. When I start to get down He shines a light on some thing in my life that makes me know I’m never alone. In July 2006 I wrote the following poem:

Reflections

God gives me His mighty power to get up when I’m weak and tired.
God’s love envelopes me as I walk with Him.
God holds my hand when I’m scared.
His Radiating arms hold me when times are hard.
God’s love colors my world in breathtaking displays.
The radiance of Jesus warms my days.
God loves when you sing to Him while being still for tests.
He may be out of my sight but I’m never out of His sight.
Journeys last as long as I can withstand them, then God changes the scenery.
When in cadence with Him you can hear His voice.
He’s awake to talk to in the middle of the night.
When I’m given a mountain to climb, I need to lean on Him.
He loves when you pay for His miracles with SHOUTS OF PRAISE!
Teddy Bears have a direct line to Jesus and don’t care how hard you hug them.
Nature is God’s hug surrounding my every move.
I love knowing that God loves me more than drops of water in the lake.
God is painting my life to be a beautiful picture.
God says to not live in fear but instead to “Face Everything with my Almighty Roar.”
God’s time may not be my time but He is in control.