Beating Breast Cancer

Breast cancer.  We see the pink ribbons everywhere.  We empathize with people we hardly know on Facebook when they post an inspirational quote or meme.  But how many of us actually know someone going through it and what a toll it takes on their entire life?  I didn't......until my best friend was diagnosed in February.  I'll be honest, like many women, I never really gave breast cancer much thought.  I don't do self exams, and I haven't been to the doctor in years for a check up.  The reality of the fact that it really can happen to ANYONE, hit me like a ton of bricks.  

My friend wasn't an unhealthy person.  She lived a clean life.  Ate her fruits and veggies.  Why then?  Why did this happen to HER?  A question we'll most likely never know the answer to, and probably a question women who get breast cancer, ask themselves every day.  Hopefully in the near future, we'll have the answers, but for now, it's time to fight the battle and raise awareness.

My purpose in writing this blog is to tell the journey of my best friend, in the hopes that YOU, take it upon yourself, to be proactive when it comes to your health and wellness, and that you also give whatever you can, to help support those fighting this battle. 

Ag and Stina, circa 1995-ish...those outfits tho!

Christina and I have been best friends for 20 years - I consider her more of a sister than just a friend.  We grew up in our 20's together, both married to older men at age 21, we just clicked and bonded instantly.  She's always been stubborn and strong, never wanting any attention on herself, or anyone to feel like they need to "help" her with anything.  So, when I got the text from her that she had found a lump in her breast, OF COURSE she completely down played the whole thing.  "I don't want you to worry.  I just wanted you to know I'm having a biopsy." - my heart sank, but I never for one minute even thought it would be a positive diagnosis.  When she told me the news that she did, in fact, have breast cancer, I had no idea what to say or do.  I mean, who does?  I really didn't know much about breast cancer or treatments or how the course of treatment is even decided, so I had no clue what questions to ask her - all I could do was BE THERE for her.

I was shocked at how quickly after being diagnosed she was expected to make all these life changing decisions!  It was a whirlwind of Oncologist, plastic and general surgeon visits - and then second, and even third, opinions.  Those weeks were so stressful for her, and all I could do was listen and support.  Being the strong and smart woman she is, Christina researched every website she could for statistics and treatment plans.  Talks with other survivors and women still battling, along with her doctors opinions helped her choose the most aggressive option, which is to have a double mastectomy (removal of both breasts).  I remember us having lunch one day and she said "I don't want to be fighting this for 5 years.  I don't want to remove one breast and then have it come back in the other, then have to go through all of this again.  I want this OVER in a year, so I can just get on with my life."   I couldn't have been more proud of her for making such a brave decision!

Going into surgery, we had the impression she would most likely have to get at least 4 treatments of chemo, but after her double mastectomy and lab results of surrounding tissue,  it turned into 16.  The first 4 treatments were with a chemo nicknamed "The Red Devil" - pretty awful stuff.  I remember after the first infusion of this Red Devil I got a text that said "Come over after work.  I'm shaving my head."  I was shocked that the side effects happened so quickly!  Losing her hair was a HUGE deal to Christina, sometimes I think even more of a big deal than losing her breasts.  No one could see the scars on her chest, so random strangers had no idea she had a mastectomy, but the hair loss....she knew everyone would know she had cancer just by looking at her and she didn't want that kind of attention.  We tried to make a "party" out of it with a bottle of Prosecco, a few friends and a barber.  There were some tears, a lot of laughs, and in the end we all agreed Christina is a hottie with short hair!!

Bald is Beautiful!!

After enduring a double mastectomy, hair loss, the constant pain of having spacers sewn into your body and then filled with saline to stretch the muscle and skin to make room for new boobies, no sleep because of the night sweats, being swollen from steroids being pumped into your body, not being able to taste food because chemo burns your taste buds, and your fingernails and toenails being in constant pain and/or falling off, it was finally O-V-E-R.  August 28th, 2014, Christina's LAST day of chemo.  My best friend, the ROCKSTAR, had kicked cancer's ass and it was time to CELEBRATE!!

 

 
During these last 7 months, Christina has had an amazing support group - yes, her husband, family and friends, but most of all, the Breast Cancer Resource Centers of Texas (BCRC) and her patient navigator, Runi.  Let me tell you, Christina couldn't say enough about how wonderful she was.  Runi had her join a closed group of young survivors and patients on Facebook so she could get firsthand accounts of what to expect during chemo, surgeries - pretty much anything and everything that happens during breast cancer treatment.  She helped her workout insurance issues, she helped her find doctors, she even helped Christina find a place to buy a wig.  Runi also just called to TALK, which meant the world to Christina.

I am so grateful to Runi and the staff at BCRC for helping my friend through this experience!  What they do is remarkable and I just want to give back to them in anyway I can.  While planning for our upcoming competition at CFRR, MissFit Mayhem, I had an epiphany!!!  An ALL ladies competition, boobs, breast cancer, support, awareness, CrossFit, and athletic shoes....yes, it all ties together, just keep reading!

I had been approached by a used apparel collection company called, World Wear Project a few weeks before Christina's last day of chemo and thought, THIS is how I can give back to, not only my community, but to this organization that does so much for so many women.  You see, all we have to do is collect gently used athletic shoes and the World Wear Project will write us a check to give to the Breast Cancer Resource Centers of Texas.  Seriously, it's THAT easy!!!  

Now, this is where YOU come in - because we can't do it without your help!!  PLEASE go through those closets and bring your used athletic shoes (men, women and even children's sizes) to CrossFit Round Rock and help fill our shoe bins!!  You do not have to be a member.  You don't even have to CrossFit or workout AT ALL, in order to donate.  You just have to care about boobs and really...who doesn't care about boobs? ;)  It's a win-win situation here people....you get a clean closet with more space for NEW shoes, and the Breast Cancer Resource Centers of Texas get a big fat check to aid in them giving help to so many breast cancer victims and survivors.

September 20th, at the Round Rock Sports Center, where the MissFit Mayhem competition is being held, will be our LAST DAY accepting donations.  Our shoe bins will be there, ready for you to fill.  Ladies competing.....bring those old Nanos!!  If you're coming to spectate, grab a pair of your old running shoes and throw them in the bin!!  Don't have any old shoes, but still want to give?  No problem!  We'll have a donations table accepting monetary gifts.  Giving really doesn't get any easier than this!!  Do it.

I want to take this time to say thank you to those of you that have already donated shoes, it really does mean so much to me!!  I want to tell my best friend, Christina, that I think she is THE strongest, most brave and courageous person I know.  I thank God every day that he gave us more time on this earth to be together :)  I love you!