At the age of 36, I started working on getting back into shape after having our first baby. About two weeks into it, I started to feel a sharp pain along my sternum. I had thought it might be because I was out of shape, but had a nagging feeling it was more than that. A few days passed and I noticed some dimpling in my left breast. It was at that moment that I thought this might be breast cancer.
I immediately went to see my primary care doctor who did some tests which ultimately lead me to my diagnosis – metastatic breast cancer de novo. “De novo” breast cancer refers to breast cancer that has already spread outside of the breast to distant parts of the body. For me, this meant the cancer was not only in my breast but my lymph nodes, bones, and liver.
While treatable, metastatic breast cancer (MBC) cannot be cured. The five-year survival rate for stage 4 breast cancer is 27 percent; median survival is three years. Annually, the disease takes 40,000 lives.
June 2023 marked my 7-year milestone. Over the years I have been called brave, a warrior, and a fighter. However, I don’t think I am any of that. Here’s what I do know:
- I am a mother, a wife, a daughter, a sister, an aunt, and a friend.
- I am a Peloton fanatic who thrives when riding my bike, flowing through yoga, lifting weights, or running with the pros and that community.
- I am an SVP at an ad agency who enjoys a challenge alongside some of the most brilliant and FUN teams.
- I am a small business owner who appreciates the creative outlet that jewelry making brings.
- I am a vintage hunter, beach bum, chocolate-dipped ice cream eater, who loves traveling for an adventure.
And right now, I am training for my THIRD Boston Marathon.
I never thought I would live 7 years. Never thought I would see my daughter go to Kindergarten (now THIRD grade!). Or that I would be running a marathon. But magic can happen. I can’t believe how lucky I really am. I feel like a unicorn.
One hundred percent of every dollar raised by the DFMC team supports the Claudia Adams Barr Program in Innovative Basic Cancer Research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. These funds are fueling some of today's most promising basic cancer research.
Thank you for your support! Together, we're headed toward the ultimate finish line: a world without cancer.
