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Ramona Smith West Jordan, Utah, United States   Changing Gears US 2004 New Rider

Two years ago I found a lump in my left breast. I was 35, a stay-at-home mom with six children and no family history of breast cancer. As I have met other breast cancer survivors, I realize just how lucky I was. I have a great support system. My husband, his work, my children, my church, my friends, even the public schools and teachers, and the list could go on and on. I was also fortunate to have support from our medical insurance company. I was given a nurse that would call me monthly and that I could call at anytime.

Last year, when I heard about this ride, I had only been done with chemo for five months. I said I would love to go and so I applied. I was so surprised to learn that I was accepted as a rider since I had never ridden a motorcycle before. A local motorcycle riding school donated my riding lessons and I actually passed. I then passed my written test and got my motorcycle license.

I was able to participate in the first Changing Gears ride that took place in October 2004. From the time I took lessons until I was on the ride was about eight weeks. I completed the ride and it became an incredible milestone in my life, just as the births of each of my children and the various aspects of cancer treatment had become.

The differences between the ride and my cancer experience were like night and day, yet they were also very similar. Both were dangerous and frightening. Both were something I had never experienced in my life. Both led me to question what I could and could not do with my life. Both gave me a different insight into my character, who I was and who I wanted to become.

Previously in my life, I swore that I would never ride a motorcycle---it was too dangerous. When asked why I want to keep riding, my answer is “not riding a motorcycle didn’t keep me from getting cancer.” I also found out that I love riding motorcycles

On the ride last year, we were able to meet other women who were breast cancer survivors under very positive circumstances. We were also able to talk with other people whose lives had been affected by breast cancer but were not themselves diagnosed with breast cancer. Sometimes it was someone they loved and or some acquaintance. It was nice to not feel like a victim and to share in the sisterhood of others affected by breast cancer. The money raised last year also provided a way for young women to participate in events specifically for young women with breast cancer. I would hope that every young woman faced with hearing the words “you have breast cancer” would get the chance to meet others who have faced the same experience. It is great and empowering to see what others have done and become in spite of a breast cancer diagnosis and the treatments.

When I finished chemo, my oncologist counseled my husband and I that we would have to find a new normal life. Things would always be different than what we knew before life with cancer. My new normal now includes motorcycles and hoping to make a difference for other young women with breast cancer.

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