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I have a degree in Electrical Engineering and have been working in the software industry for 18 years. Currently I work at Microsoft in the Mobile Devices Product Group (PocketPC and Smartphone). I’m married and have three lovely dogs. In October 2003, I got my first mammogram when Swedish Hospital brought the equipment right to the Microsoft campus (what could be more convenient!). The results were suspicious but inclusive and my actual diagnosis was made six months later (May 2004). I had a lumpectomy in June (which included removing 45 lymph nodes, 8 of which were positive for cancer), chemo (July – December, 2004), and radiation (February – March, 2005). I had Stage 3 cancer, so whenever I get frustrated with my job, I remind myself that this program with Microsoft and Swedish Hospital to bring screenings on campus quite literally saved my life. When I got the initial diagnosis it was a big shock but at the time everyone thought I would be a fairly textbook Stage 1 case with a percentage survival rate in the 90s. As I underwent more tests, the news continued to get progressively worse (for example, the doctors told me a rule of thumb is to subtract 5% for each positive lymph node so in one day my odds went from the 90s to the 50s!). Fortunately, I’m an optimist and my husband is a pessimist and this produced a winning combination – I was upbeat and active throughout my treatment which helped me cope, while Ron armed us with information by spending countless hours researching treatments, side effects, nutrition, and countless other related topics. Ultimately, the diagnosis was a wake up call for both of us to make some serious changes in our diet and activity levels. Having extremely supportive family, friends, and coworkers was also a huge factor for me in coping with the effects of surgery, chemo and radiation. Having cancer also changed my view of cancer and the people who’ve survived it. I’ve had a chance to meet many other wonderful your survivors like myself through organizations such as Team Survivor Northwest. I’m looking forward to meeting many new survivors on this event. When I heard about this event last year, I desperately wanted to go but was right in the middle of my worst cycle of chemo. I’ve had a soft spot in my heart for vehicles from a very young age (my favorite toy when I was three was a purple Tonka Jeep). I always wanted a motorcycle and while I was still in college, I traded a TV set for a well used Yamaha 400 with a broken starter (I used the kick-starter!). I rode that bike for several years and treated myself on my 30 th birthday to a brand new Honda CBR600F2 (to ride one is to need one)! I communicated to work (in Colorado) every day on that bike, rain or shine (and once in the snow!). After taking several years off from riding, I recently got back into it and now own a Ducati 999 and a Ninja 250. In addition to cars and motorcycles, I’m also a private pilot and own a classic 1951 Ryan Navion. I’m so excited to be a part of this event. Not only are we raising funds for an extremely good cause, we’re showing the world that (a) it can happen to anyone, including relatively young and healthy people, (2) it happens to a LOT of us, and (3) with the aid of early detection and treatment, many can and do survive this thing and continue to lead active lives. And who could pass up the opportunity to ride a brand new Harley across one of the most scenic highways in America! Click Here to Donate Now!
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