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My Participation in Ride to Conquer Cancer -- Princess Margaret Cancer Research Foundation |
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Written by Izzy Runner
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Tuesday, 17 June 2008 10:44 |
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I became a survivor in March 2007, when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I remember the shock … the words came as in a bad dream, …”I’m sorry, but you have Breast Cancer”, the doctor said. It was only supposed to be an annual check up. How can this be? Why me? The rest of my experience unspools in my mind … the referral to the surgeon, the gift of a pink Teddy Bear for comfort, the kind words from the doctor and nurse, and then back outside into the street. How can this be? I lived a healthy life-style. There was no cancer in the family. It was all so unfair. What was to blame? I always lived a very healthy life-style by eating well, exercising and running, I even ran the Boston Marathon in 2006. Running had become a passion of mine 10 years ago now running was the one thing that kept breaking through the oppression of the big “C”. My goal of being an ironman triathlete was still there albeit now further away. A marathon is a metaphor for Life. It’s a journey with no guarantees but full of possibilities. It is about having a goal, facing adversity, digging deep and putting one foot in front of the other. I began to see my battle with cancer like running a marathon. My family and friends, the Doctors and Nurses were caring, encouraging, and supportive, and gave me the feeling that I was not alone and that there was a future. The stark reality of the diagnosis turned into a numbing process of surgery, chemotherapy and recovery, another surgery several months later and then another recovery period. It was all so unreal, but I was determined not to let the disease define my life. Soon after my diagnosis I began doing research about breast cancer and cancer in general and more importantly about survival. I came across the story of another woman faced with cancer who came to terms with her circumstance by using the powerful tool of list making … making a plan … putting one foot in front of the other. I sat down and made my own list. The process of making my list brought clarity to those things that were really important to me; friends and family. Learning and experiencing new things, giving back and helping others. For me, sport has been the common denominator that links all these things. Over the years past, I have been actively participated with several cancer fund-raising organizations, including the Dragon Boat and Relay for Life. Volunteering, trying to inspire and make other people’s lives full, has always made me feel good.
I will be biking over 200 kilometers, on June 20, in the Ride to Conquer Cancer. I will be riding as the "Determined One', because DETERMINATION is what characterizes every journey and every survivor. Participation inspires … “giving back” nurtures the soul …. it’ s all good!! |
