a survivor story.
2.13.2013
When I started training for my first triathlon with a "beginner" group, I met this great woman, Nicole. She was hilarious, spunky, and incredibly friendly. She has the spirit and energy of someone half her age (and looks it!).
About 6 months or so into our training, I found out that Nicole was a breast cancer survivor! Excuse me, what? This chick was running circles around me at track workouts and swimming speedy laps like Michael Phelps. I never would have guessed that she had battled such an awful disease.
My team recently partnered with Susan G. Komen for the Cure - specifically the Dallas Rock 'n Roll Half Marathon. I signed up for the race with my team knowing that this race would be more than just another half marathon for me. This race is a chance to support Nicole and other women like her.
Nicole recently share her story with me to use on the blog. She is incredibly open and inspiring. I hope her story inspires you to get involved!
How and when did you find out you had breast cancer?
It was on September 11, 2006 that I found a lump on my left breast when I simply crossing my arms while talking to a work colleague. The lump was near my armpit right where the underwire of my bra was. Because I had played several games of soccer that previous weekend, I thought I had been elbowed there and just did not realize it. So over the course of the week, I kept an eye on it looking for swelling, bruising or change in size. By that weekend, I decided to go to my family physician who did a clinical exam and for precautionary measures order for me to get a mammogram the next week. At the young age of 34, I was going to be doing my first mammogram.
Because the mammogram confirmed a lump on my breast, they decided to do further testing that day; I had an ultrasound done immediately but had to return back to get a biopsy done since they were obviously seeing something in my tests. The biopsy was the test that confirmed my diagnosis of breast cancer. I received the call the next day, September 21, 2006, I had Breast Cancer.
About 6 months or so into our training, I found out that Nicole was a breast cancer survivor! Excuse me, what? This chick was running circles around me at track workouts and swimming speedy laps like Michael Phelps. I never would have guessed that she had battled such an awful disease.
My team recently partnered with Susan G. Komen for the Cure - specifically the Dallas Rock 'n Roll Half Marathon. I signed up for the race with my team knowing that this race would be more than just another half marathon for me. This race is a chance to support Nicole and other women like her.
Nicole recently share her story with me to use on the blog. She is incredibly open and inspiring. I hope her story inspires you to get involved!
How and when did you find out you had breast cancer?
It was on September 11, 2006 that I found a lump on my left breast when I simply crossing my arms while talking to a work colleague. The lump was near my armpit right where the underwire of my bra was. Because I had played several games of soccer that previous weekend, I thought I had been elbowed there and just did not realize it. So over the course of the week, I kept an eye on it looking for swelling, bruising or change in size. By that weekend, I decided to go to my family physician who did a clinical exam and for precautionary measures order for me to get a mammogram the next week. At the young age of 34, I was going to be doing my first mammogram.
Because the mammogram confirmed a lump on my breast, they decided to do further testing that day; I had an ultrasound done immediately but had to return back to get a biopsy done since they were obviously seeing something in my tests. The biopsy was the test that confirmed my diagnosis of breast cancer. I received the call the next day, September 21, 2006, I had Breast Cancer.
