Faith Hope Courage

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~ Anne’s Story ~

In early 2003, my dear friend Anne, found a lump in her breast. She underwent a double mastectomy and six rounds of chemotherapy. The day before her surgery she emailed me to say she was going for one last bike ride. She wanted to “feel the wind on her face.” Her cancer returned a year and a half later in her hip and spine. Anne and her husband, Chris, have three boys Alex, 6, Kyle, 9, and Colin, 14.

Not so many years ago, Anne would have been sent home to get her affairs in order. Thanks to breast cancer research and treatment with the new drug Herceptin, Anne’s cancer isn’t growing and her pain is gone. I believe that somewhere a breast cancer researcher is working on a treatment that will cure Anne. She leads a relatively normal life—or at least as normal as one woman can, living with four regular guys. She is my miracle friend. I never ride my bike without saying a thank you prayer for the privilege of feeling the wind on my face.

In writing to support Lynn’s efforts to raise money through the Janus Charity Challenge in connection with the 2005 Ironman Triathalon, here is Anne’s story in her own words:


I never thought that “my story” would include breast cancer. As an active and healthy woman, this was furthest from my mind! But my life thread now weaves in visits to the Sutter Cancer Center for weekly Herceptin treatments. At times my diagnosis seems surreal, and it scares me to the very core, but it also gives me a renewed strength and sense of self.

My story “ends” with the conviction to keep the breast cancer research alive so every dollar, every minute, every discovery brings us closer to a cure. The reality of my situation is that without the current research breakthroughs that have happened in the last 5 years, I would not be doing as well as I am today. Breast cancer research brings daily miracles and hope to survivors, family members, and friends, and I am hoping, with your support, the miracles never end!

The middle of my story sustains all my days because my blessings are infinite. I thank God for each day and every yesterday, and have faith that love, strength, and medical discoveries will make a better tomorrow. Each day I am a Survivor!

Add to the mix my husband, Chris! He is an amazing man, standing by me, for me, and ahead of me throughout all of this, keeping my sense of humor and hope alive. His dedication and love are endless. When I was first diagnosed, I told Chris that I was determined to stick around to ensure he raised our children properly :-). Even though I know he would do a great job, I want to be around for all the excitement! My three sons still treat me as if nothing is wrong, and remind me that life is to be lived each day! We are surrounded by devoted and supportive parents, siblings and their spouses, nieces, nephews, and extended family members who bolster us, and surround us with boundless love. With our families out-of-town, our friends have humbled us in their out pouring of prayers, support, love, and kindness.

My oncologist, Dr. Sayegh, and all in the medical community who have assisted in my diagnosis and care, have my endless gratitude for their wisdom, expertise and compassion.

This story began when I discovered a lump in my left breast during a self-exam in November ’02. The battery of tests and biopsies determined that the left breast needed to be removed, and I had decided on a prophylactic mastectomy for the right breast. I didn’t want to live “waiting for the other shoe to drop”. And as a Libra, I like things balanced! I finished chemotherapy in August ’03 and chose to skip the reconstruction process.

In July ’04, I experienced extreme back pain and a round of x-rays showed nothing. The pain returned a few months later, and more scans showed metastasized cancer in my spine and left hip. This time around, I was without the same energy to form my attack again. Lynn helped to research & arrange 2nd, 3rd opinions, getting my films, slides, and took me to the next round of tests and scans. And through her optimism, I gained the energy to forge ahead. She, along with many others, is living proof angels exist on earth!

Oct' 2006 - I currently receive weekly treatments of herceptin, montly treatment of zometa, and am on aromasin. I get a PET scan every 3-4 months to track the cancer activity level. A chemotherapy drug is added to the mix when my cancer activity begins to increase. My cancer is treated as a chronic disease and my treatment regimen is geared to give me the best quality of life, as if I am running a marathon.

I am constantly doing research on the web, eat as much organic foods possbile, have eliminated alcohol, sweets & caffene, take 4 - 2oz wheat grass shots (from Jamba Juice) a week, and have begun a supplemental "CAM" regimen. CAM - Complimentary and Alternative Medicine. Hopefully this will add to the length of my marathon!

July, 2007 After almost a year with no chemo treatments and just hormone therapy, I just started Tykerb (daily)/Xeloda (3200 mg/day; 2 wks on/1 wk off). The drugs come in tablet form, and so there are no trips to the Cancer Center for awhile other than my oncologist appts. My bone mets are stable..yea! but the node in my chest is acting up and there is another small spot showing on the PET scan. B/c I have wheezing, coughing, and tightness in chest along with PET results, we are changing treatment with the hope the chest node goes away!

September, 2007 The PET/CT scan showed that my chest node was gone!!!  So that means the xeloda/tykerb regimen is working!  Experincing pain in lower back, so am doing 20 rounds of radiation.  Side effects of xeloda/tykerb are becoming less as we try to get the correct dosage and timing.