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My battle with breast cancer began ten years ago at the age of 27. Just one year earlier my sister had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. The diagnosis for both of us was devastating. She lost her battle in 1996. Having cancer at such a young age was extremely difficult to deal with. My family was overwhelmed. I was overwhelmed. My son who was 1-1/2 at the time had no idea what was happening to mommy. Life went on around me and I worked to just get through it, day by day. The emotions would have to wait. I was in a battle for my life. What I didn’t realize at the time was that the perfect time to deal with all of those emotions never came. My friends had distanced themselves from me. I was a constant reminder of there own mortality. My family was dealing with my sister’s illness whose prognosis left little room for hope. How could I burden them with my own self-pity? Last year I participated in the first Changing Gears ride. I worked very hard to learn to ride so that I could participate. Riding a motorcycle was something I never thought I could do before cancer. Cancer changes you. During my battle with breast cancer I found a person inside of me who was strong and determined; characteristics that helped me tackle learning to ride. What I didn’t realize at the time was that riding through California was not the only challenge I would face. Meeting 23 other women who were just like me, young cancer survivors with scarred hearts and scarred bodies would change my life forever. Every day on the ride was a challenge, physically mastering the bike and riding a strange route, emotionally allowing myself to love and be loved by my new friends and bonding with them like I have never experienced before, and mentally processing everything. The Changing Gears ride truly changed me. I found unconditional love, acceptance, friendship, and support. I was able to begin the emotional processing of my experience with cancer for the first time. Amazon Heart’s unique approach to support for young breast cancer survivors through events like Changing Gears is desperately needed for young survivors. Please take the time to make a donation in my name and help change another life of a young breast cancer survivor who needs hope, support, and courage while fighting their own battle with cancer. Click Here to Donate Now!
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