October 4th, 2013 marks the CIBC Run for the Cure across
Canada.
This run attracts thousands of
runners and walkers each year and is the largest single-day fundraising event
for breast cancer research in the country.
Many of LifeMark’s clinicians and staff have been involved in this event
for years.
A few years back, LifeMark in Calgary published the story of Kathleen
Yanosik, a breast cancer survivor who had taken the Run for the Cure to
heart. We felt the story was powerful and poignant enough to warrant retelling. Here is Kathy’s cancer story.
When were you
diagnosed with cancer and how did you find out?
January 9th. 2003, I went for my annual check-up. During the breast
examination, my family doctor discovered an indentation on the side of my right
breast. The next day I had a mammogram and an ultrasound. The results were
inconclusive so I was sent for a biopsy.
Following this, I received a call to see the surgeon immediately. I
knew that this was not good. A few days later I had a right mastectomy
done.
In 2004, I opted to have my other breast removed, and had double
reconstruction done. That was the best decision I could have made. I am a
Survivor of 6 years now. I feel good and look not to bad either, as my husband tells
me.
How did the
diagnosis impact you?
I was very quiet about it at first. I tried not to scare my husband, but
I knew something was wrong. When we were told, my husband broke down. I just
sat there in shock. The doctor explained
my best option was to take the breast off quickly.
What kind of
treatment did you have?
Because of the tumor size, I had chemotherapy, radiation and the drug
Tamoxifen for 5 years. During the Tamoxifen therapy, the lining of my cervix
enlarged to the point that they feared Cancer developing there, so I had a
total hysterectomy done with my ovaries being removed as well. Today I still am
taking medication for 3 more years.
During this time I went to Physiotherapy for 2 years to help me get my
mobility back in my right arm and deal with the pain from the scar tissue and
stiffness in my neck. I also did Deep Water Running and kept as physically fit
as I could.
What have you
done to move forward since your diagnosis?
I walked the CIBC
Run for the Cure the first two years, then I found out that the Running Room
gave free Learn to Run classes for Survivors. I was 58 years old at this time,
and I found that even running for a minute was hard. I was slow and always at
the back of the group, but I just kept going because I was alive and I wanted
to feel alive. I completed several 5Km clinics and then 10Km clinics. I never
went into races though because I was too slow. After my hysterectomy in the
fall of 2006, I started teaching a Learn to Run Class in January 2007 to get me
back to running again. That year I ran my first 10Km races and also began
training for my first half-marathon. I ran my first half-marathon in February 2008
and have now finished five at age 62. I’m now training for my first full marathon
and will be racing in Kelowna on Thanksgiving Weekend.
I did not do this
by myself. I had great mentors and was in Physio almost every 3 to 4 months
with some injury that I needed help with.
What advice do
you have for people affected by cancer?
Think positive and that YOU ARE A SURVIVOR! Take one step at a time, and
stay away from the negative attitudes that people have today. I am at my best
when I think Positive, live healthy and believe in my Faith. Find a great
Support System and learn to lean on others as well as to give to others. Go
Forward. Living is Good.
To find out more about the CIBC Run for the Cure, visit www.runforthecure.com.
