On June 24th-25th, I will be participating in The Avon 39 Walk to End Breast Cancer in support of my dear friend Tiffany Patounas. We will be walking together on this 39 mile, two day journey to raise awareness and money for breast cancer research, outreach programs and treatments.
Tiffany has been a dear friend of mine for over a decade. We have had many (many) laughs together and I have always admired her optimistic and positive outlook on life. She is a dedicated professional, a loving mother, wife and an amazing friend. In July 2014, Tiffany was diagnosed with breast cancer (see story below), and embarked on an unknown journey with grace and optimism. But most importantly, Tiffany is a survivor and I am proud to call her my friend. I look forward to walking through the greater Boston area (one of my favorite cities) with other strong, dedicated and fearless woman in hopes to help put breast cancer to an end. I appreciate any support that you can give.
Tiffany's story:
Dear Friends & Family
It was July 14, 2014 when my world was seemingly turned upside down. I had a regularly scheduled doctor’s appointment…the kind no woman gets excited for. I had confirmed that my husband (perfect husband, might I add) would be home to watch our three beautiful boys because a part of me knew this day was going to go terribly wrong. The lump I detected might be cancer.
From the moment my NP entered the room, my life was forever changed and she insisted that I immediately have a mammogram and ultrasound to evaluate the suspicious mass found. Within one week’s time, following the immediate mammogram, the mass was being biopsied. You can never be prepared for these words to be said to you “You have breast cancer”. The diagnosis was Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS). I was numb, completely numb and scared for my life. My medical team told me surgery was the recommended treatment and I was “fortunate” in this diagnosis. Awaiting surgery I convinced myself it had spread throughout my body and that my life as I knew it was over.
I underwent surgery on August 8th, 2014, just about a week before two of our dearest friends were about to marry. With the support of family, friends and amazing husband I recovered well awaiting the final biopsy results, hopeful that this was all behind me. That, however, was not the case. While surgery was deemed to be successful, results of the final biopsy found the aggressive HER2 positive cancer cells within the removed tumor. Although the tumor had been entirely removed, I was informed that because I was young and had small children, it was recommended that I undergo 12 weeks of chemotherapy and an additional 20 weeks of antibody treatments. I shed more tears than I knew was possible, punched walls for the first time ever in my life! I feared losing my hair, having others worry about me and most of all putting my family through this horrible journey. But, on the other hand, I had every reason to fight this battle like a champ- three beautiful little boys (ages 2,4,6), a husband who was my everything, loving family and friends near and far that meant everything to me.
My response to this journey was not at all what I expected. I did not feel courageous, but I was. I regretfully did not share my story openly, but found my strength from within. In truth, I just wanted to do what I had to in order to be there for my family in my fullest capacity. With the help of brilliant doctors, researched medicine and the support from my closest friends and family, I persevered.
While this part of the battle is now behind me, I will never lose sight of my journey and the love and support from those who traveled it with me. Today I am grateful to be alive, a two year survivor and blessed to be living my “new normal”. I frequently am monitored and scanned, but as each doctor’s appointment passes my mind is eased ever so slightly. I am finally ready to begin this next chapter (better late than never) where I will share my story, empower others to kick cancer’s ass and support continued research!
Step one in this endeavor is the Avon 39. This June I will walk 39 miles in Boston over two days with my loving sisters and incredible friends to raise awareness and money for breast cancer research, outreach programs and treatments. I am asking that you please help me begin this endeavor by showing your support and donating to our team, not just on my behalf but because sadly, breast cancer is everywhere: touching 1 in 8 women and far too many families. Most importantly, I ask that you listen to your body, trust your instincts, believe in modern day medicine and support this cause! Please do not wait, for if there is one thing I have learned throughout this journey it is awareness, screenings and early detection can save lives!
You can make a donation right here on my webpage by clicking the "Donate Now" button to the right. If you prefer to write a check, click the “Donate By Mail” button and follow the instructions on the form.
Your donations will be managed and disbursed by the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade. The dollars you pledge will put food on the table of a breast cancer patient and her family. They will enable access to mammograms and medicine, fuel research, and save lives. Need any more reason to click that Donate Now button?
