Breast cancer survivor and Run for the Cure participant Lana Waters tells us how surviving breast cancer gave her the strength and inspiration to follow all of her dreams.

Ten years ago, my life changed with news that cancer was in my body.  While I handed my physical self over to doctors who removed a breast lump and lymph nodes then filled me with Chemotherapy and Radiation, I held my emotional self dear and grew into who I really wanted to be.

Cancer taught me how important it is to just be myself and once treatment was behind me, I took my chance in life and followed a dream.  I went into a field of work that I love and made a success of myself while collecting top awards along the way.

The success came while I grew fuller, stronger ties to my family and friends and the man of my dreams came into my life just a year ago.

With every year that passed, the memories of cancer tucked more safety away, more deeply inside.

On my tenth anniversary in November 2009, I stopped by my friend’s and left her a note:  “I am now officially finished with the Cancer Centre and my 10-years of follow-up is done!  Woo Hoo!.”

Lana's Team at the Run for the Cure 2009

I hit a milestone that allowed me to let go of those fading memories just a little bit more.  I threw away the wigs and head pieces and decided cancer was behind me.

Then my mammogram showed a spot in January 2010.  I knew what it was as soon as I told it was something to investigate.  All the memories came back and so did the cancer.

It was stronger this time and the doctors removed my right breast in March 2010.  My family and friends rallied around me, but most of my strength came from the sparkle in the man of my dreams’ eyes.

He reminded me to be myself – only living with cancer.  Cancer can be in my life right now but it’s not going to be my life – because he is.

We had our wedding date already set for May 29, 2010 and I asked my friend, “Have you ever seen a bald bride with no tattoos and no piercings?”

With the help of a beautiful wig and a perfectly tailored dress, I felt every bit a princess as I married my dream man.  It was only nine days after my second chemo treatment but I never felt better.

And my friend wrote: “I am so proud of the man who held by best friend’s hand and married her today. In the midst of her cancer treatment, he praised her for accepting his children and lovingly devoted himself to her kindness for same. It’s been awhile since a man brought me to tears of joy like this. Brave heart.”

Cancer is already beat here.

- Lana Waters

Join Lana at the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure on October 3. Let’s create a future without breast cancer.