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As I write this profile, I reflect on the fact that I do NOT have to go and get chemo tomorrow! It’s been two weeks since I finished my last treatment of Taxotere. Unfortunately, I do have my initial radiation “marking” appointment tomorrow, but far as I know, that won’t involve needles! As I near the end of my treatment, I’ve been wondering exactly what I would do to give back to the broader breast cancer community that has been so good to me throughout my diagnosis and treatment. I’m sure I’ll do walks, attend support groups and become a resource for the newly diagnosed… but I was looking for something bigger. Just a few days before the application deadline, I found the Amazon Heart Odyssey trip on a YSC email. I cannot think of a more perfect match for the type of volunteer opportunity I was looking for—as the Amazon Heart Odyssey merges several of my interests and benefits both the breast cancer community as well as the community at large. I applied on a whim and two days later I was accepted! I’m an avid traveler, volunteer and amateur photographer. The Odyssey will allow me indulge my hobbies, in addition to my professional skills. I’m a Product Manager for Snapfish (www.snapfish.com), a leading online service for storing, sharing and ordering photos. My role requires leadership, teamwork, project management and attention to detail—all skills that I think will be invaluable in our home-building endeavor. At least I hope so since I’ve certainly never built a house before! I was so broken-hearted to learn of the tsunami in Southeast Asia, especially seeing footage of the destruction at the very same towns and beaches I visited in Thailand just a couple years ago. By the time December rolls around, I’m sure many will have forgotten about the tsunami already. Yet, there will be thousands still without homes. I am certain that we on the Odyssey trip will make a difference and I am thankful for the opportunity that Amazon Heart has awarded me. The final and most important reason why I’m participating in the Odyssey is to broaden and strengthen my bond with fellow breast cancer survivors. I won’t go into “my story” here; but now that you know how much I like to travel you can appreciate the timing of my diagnosis. My last vacation was supposed to be a romantic tour of Italy with my boyfriend for two weeks in September 2004. Instead of boarding my plane September 10 th, 2004, I was on a gurney in the operating room—not kidding! The gall of BC to force me to cancel the trip I’d been looking forward to all year long! I have to admit—I’m a sucker for team-bonding events. I feel blessed to have such a supportive community here in San Francisco. I was part of a “Women in Cancer” program throughout my treatment that gave me a forum to address so many of my emotional and physical needs. I was the “caboose” on the train, being the last one to finish treatment. So I benefited from all the advice of the women who had traveled the road before me. I am also a recent member of the Bay Area Young Survivors community. The women I’ve met in both of these local programs have been so inspirational to me, I find myself being more and more eager to expand my community abroad. I think it could be invaluable to learn how treatments, research, social programs, etc. vary around the globe. I believe the learning, sharing and emotional bonding that will occur in just one short week will be immeasurable and certainly one of those lifetime experiences to remember. I cannot wait to meet my fellow Odyssey adventurers! You can learn a lot more about my experience throughout diagnosis and treatment by reading my blog. Please feel free to add your comments. Thanks ahead to all of my friends, family and co-workers who will be supporting me in the Odyssey! I love you all so very much!
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