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After age of 40, I set up my birthday as a breast self-exam day. I found 2 lumps on left breast in Jan 2004, the date of turning 43 years young. An appointment was set in the same week. I was told that I would be notified for the results of mammogram and ultra sound in 5 days, but they called the very next day for a biopsy. I also got a second opinion by having an MRI done from other hospital as well. There were 4 lumps with invasive DCIS and micro calcifications, because there were so many of them, a mastectomy with TRAM flap reconstruction were done 2 and half months later. I declined the 6 months of Chemotherapy and 5 years of hormone therapy, simply because the benefit rate was calculated as 1 % if I’d had it done. I am the only family member who immigrated to USA from Taiwan in 1992. Basically I made all the decisions on my own, but luckily I do have a supportive group. They are my friends and co-workers who cherished me every day by calling, emailing, sending cards and lot of hugs. I am so grateful and thankful that God sent them into my life. The love and prayers were the main power that walked me through the tough time. My biggest challenge was how I could emotionally cope with the impact of breast cancer on me. I believed that if I stay emotionally strong, I would be just fine and continue living a normal life like it used to be. Then I found that my life has been changed totally to be better and happier. This is amazing that “cancer experience” acutely makes my life “better”. My visions toward life are so different now. The leaves are greener, colors on flowers are brighter and people are more lovable. I don’t sweat about the little things anymore. I want to enjoy and celebrate life with more activities; such as reaching out to people; it is a great healing process to me by helping others and sharing happiness and laughter (especially to the people who have an illness). I recall saying to my friends that if you really want to help me through this difficult time --- make me laugh and it worked for me. Because of my Asian cultures, I have never been a social person, but I do know I have a great spirit for adventure. I went to the Amazon jungle by myself for a 2-week survivor training in Peru, Oct. 2003, which was a lifetime unbelievable experience with Amazonians and Indian tribes and all the surviving skills that they trained me. Did I survive from the jungle? I did. Am I surviving from breast cancer? I am. I have driven a motorcycle (150 cc) for 10 years in Taiwan. Well, my friend laughed and said that was a scooter, not a motorcycle. I had a Buell in 2002, and then in 2003 I got a Harley-Super Glide. One of my long trip experiences was driving from Southern Cal. to Lake Tahoe, Hollister, and San Francisco then back to LA via the Pacific Coast Highway within 4 days in July 2003. I came up with an idea of building a breast cancer survivor motorcycle-riding group due to the love I have of motorcycling and the recent breast cancer experience. Then I found Amazon Heart and Changing Gears. I am so happy that I was chosen for this event and so excited to meet the rest of the Amazon warriors. This will be another lifetime unbelievable experience for me. Click Here to Donate Now!
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