In the spirit of not posting a lot on the internet, three years later, here's me story!
I was diagnosed in 2021 with ER/PR+ breast cancer. I was 43 at the time, and breast cancer definitey wasn't on my radar. I'd been getting regular mammograms since I was 40, and luckily they spotted a change from the previous year. My cancer was about 1.5 cm (I couldn't feel it!), and I could have had a lumpectomy but based on several factors I felt more comfortable opting for a bilateral mastectomy. This was scary but when I first found out I had a feeling that I would be ok, eventually. I wasn't sure what would happen or how the process would go so I refrained from posting on social media. On April 6, 2021 I underwent a bilateral mastectomy with lymph node removal (5). I was very fortunate. My decision was both life changing and possibly life saving. My cancer had not spread, and there was a second area of concern that would have continued to grow had I not had a mastectomy. I was fortunate enough to bypass chemo based on my Oncotype score. I recently celebrated 3 years cancer free, and although it will be a life long concern, I'm blessed beyond measure to be able to celebrate my 3 years!
2024 Cancer Survivorship Walkathon
Inspired by the stories of cancer survivors from Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport—Feist-Weiller Cancer Center and moved to make a difference in the local community, medical students from LSU Health Shreveport in 2022 started a weekly walking group for survivors and their supporters. In June 2022, the students joined forces with Feist-Weiller to hold the first-ever Cancer Survivorship Walkathon to celebrate survivors, those in treatment, and a community of supporters in North Louisiana while raising funds supporting survivorship.
Proceeds from Walkathon benefit the Wellness & Integrative Medicine Program at Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport – Feist-Weiller Cancer Center. This program includes extensive support for Feist-Weiller Cancer Center Survivors, including resources on mind, menu, and movement to improve patient outcomes as they transition from treatment to a healthy lifestyle after cancer.
Inspired by the stories of cancer survivors from Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport—Feist-Weiller Cancer Center and moved to make a difference in the local community, in 2022, medical students from LSU Health Shreveport started a weekly walking group for survivors and their supporters. In June 2022, the students joined forces with Feist-Weiller to hold the first-ever Cancer Survivorship Walkathon to celebrate survivors, those in treatment, and a community of supporters in North Louisiana while raising funds for Wellness & Integrative Medicine at the cancer center.
Today, the students have formed the Cancer Walking Group and launched Survivor Saturdays – a weekly walking group for survivors and supporters. They walk each Saturday at 9am at Betty Virginia Park in Shreveport.