I am a 27-year old breast cancer survivor. I was diagnosed last March and spent the majority of 2008 in hospitals. My treatment plan was quite typical: surgery, chemo and radiation. However, because of my age, my doctor tacked on a few extra rounds of chemo. His theory: you’re young, your body can take it. Hey, why not? I figured if this means I never have to see him again, I’m all for it.
I started chemo in June. That same week I decided I should register for the 2008 Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure. It was scheduled for early October, right before my sixth and final round of chemotherapy. My plan was to try and run the 5km, but if too weak, I’d walk it, and if all else fails, I’d walk the 1km.
I’ve always been an athletic person, in fact I was training for a triathlon prior to being diagnosed, so training for a 5km race didn’t seem so daunting. I had 21 days between each round. The process was usually the same: survive the first 7 days, start running on day 8 and train until day 19. Every round got a little harder, but I was not going to let chemotherapy dictate my life.
On October 5th (day 18 of round 5), my friends and I participated in the Montreal Run. We all opted to run it. Waiting at the starting line with the other runners, I was anxious and nervous. The race started and I just went for it. I ran the entire 5km in under 26 minutes, crossing the finish line 10 minutes before my healthy friends. Not so bad for someone in chemo. I went into remission in December 2008, and will be competing in my first triathlon this June.
Victoria David
Yay Vicky! I’ll be cheering you on (from here) in June!