MARY'S STORY - My breast cancer journey began in June 2008. I had a normal mammogram in Sept. 2007, so when I found a large lump one morning, I figured it was a cyst. Luckily, I called my Gynecologist that morning, and the rest, they say, is history. She saw me that same day, and from her office I went for an ultrasound, and eventually a biopsy.

In one day I went from being a healthy, active 41-year-old, to a cancer patient. I am a mother, wife, sister, daughter and surgery nurse... I didn't have time for cancer. My MRI showed that I actually had 3 tumors in one breast (if you're gonna do it, do it big!), the largest of which extended to my chest wall. It wasn't clear if there was chest wall involvement or not, so my course of treatment was 1. Chemotherapy to stop the spread. I qualified for a clinical trial, which I participated in, and worked! 2. Bilateral mastectomies 3. Radiation to the affected side. Treatment lasted from June 2008 to April 2009.

I am happy to report I'm cured! This journey has been so humbling. I would never say cancer is a blessing, but the outpouring of love and support has been amazing. I faced it thinking "It's just a blip in the road of life." The main highlights of my year were Race for the Cure where my friends organized a team of over 50 participants who all wore "Mary's Rack Pack" shirts...it still gives me chills! Meals every Tues. and Thurs. from my friends from July to April...I know, amazing! My co-workers at the Wabash Valley Surgery Center made me a chemo treat basket, filled with gifts so that every time I had a treatment, I got to open a present first...I'm all about the treats!!! Their support allowed me to keep working during all my treatments--work was my haven away from cancer! My family supported me in too many ways to mention: helping with my 4 kids (16 to 7), driving me to appointments, laundry, and all the mundane activities of daily life.

My oldest children, both boys, were also supported by their friends. Jack's Honey Creek Middle School basketball team had a father/son basketball tournament. The boys played the dads. The boys were dressed in pink socks and collected donations for Komen. Also, Sam's Terre Haute South Swimming and Diving team was amazing. Their first invitational meet was in Bloomington, and when they all lined up for the National Anthem, I noticed their bare backs all had Pink Ribbon tattoos with my name on them. To have my then 15 year old come into the stands and say "I love you mom" was truly a defining moment in his life and mine. One of the team's sayings this year was "There are harder things than swimming". My sisters and I have registered to do "The Weekend to End Breast Cancer" walk in Indianapolis this September, and once again, our family and friends are rallying around us with donations. I have 3 sisters, 2 sisters-in-law, a mom, a mother-in-law, and 6 nieces. Anything I can do to further research, screening and treatment I will do. I Do Not want to have to do this for anyone else! There is a reason this happened to me. I figure if I can embrace it instead of hide from it, and even one person's life is saved because of my story, then my public journey has not been in vain.