Breast Cancer Survivors & Friends

We would like to invite you to share your stories with us! Please send anything you would like to share to: lrrh@bbtc.net.

Last March my friend invited me to join the LRRH ride. I thought it sounded like great fun, & my daughter & I planned on getting a room for Friday night & registering for the ride. Only days later, on Easter Sunday, I found a lump in my breast. I was shocked, even though I had lost my mom & sister to cancer; I just never really thought it would happen to me.

The call finally came with my biopsy results - NORMAL - I was told to come back in 6 months. What a relief!! But a few days later, I received another call from the women's clinic - they wanted to see me again - NOW. For some reason, my results had been checked again, & they wanted another test done. The 2nd biopsy revealed cancer cells. My life changed forever in that moment. There is no description to the cold that grips your soul in a moment like that. In a blur, my year started unfolding: MRI, genetic testing, mastectomy, chemotherapy, a 2nd mastectomy & ovaries removed, due to the BRCA1 gene.

Now, a year later, thank the Lord, I have just completed my final reconstruction surgery. And now, a year later, the LRRH bike ride is coming up again, but this time I WILL ride in it with both of my daughters! This ride will mean more to me than I can tell you. It will symbolize having made it through this past year, and mark a new beginning for me and my family & friends, who walked through this valley with me. Someday soon there will be an answer for cancer - may we honor all of the wonderful women we have known & those we have lost, who have fought this terrible disease, by raising money to find the cure NOW!
~Sherry

I went in for my annual mammogram last April and was in shock when I got a call back from the doctor who told me I had breast cancer. I had a lumpectomy in May, followed by chemo and radiation which I finished 1 month ago.

The Little Red Riding Hood ride will be my victory over cancer celebration. I'm thrilled that family members and friends are riding or helping, or coming to the luau and eating as a form of support.

I've heard how much fun this event is and am very grateful to the Bonneville Cycling Club for sponsoring it and donating the proceeds to breast cancer research. It's time to find a cure for this damn disease!

I'd like to dedicate this ride to Tammy Smith, who's entry on this site touched me deeply, and to any other women who are currently in treatment for breast cancer. I'll ride for you this year, and we can ride together next year!

~Judy Torres
P.S. Tammy, it would be great to have you join us for the luau on the 5th. I'd love to meet you!

Just wanted to let you know how excited our team is to participate in Little Red Riding Hood this year. Last year we were the ladybugs. This year we will be the hula girls. Our team of eight will dedicate our ride this year to my 33-year-old niece who found out she was pregnant just over a month ago, and then found out she has breast cancer 3 weeks ago. She recently had a mastectomy, and our ride is in honor of her and of hope for her full recovery. We will wear her picture on the back of our jerseys. We are excited to be able to participate in such a worthy, worthwhile event. Thank you for all your hard work to promote it and make it such a fabulous yearly event. More than ever this time, we are riding for the cure!

Happy Riding! ~Julene Reese

I am not a breast cancer survivor, but I do have a story. My mother and her six sisters all had breast cancer. Now my two eldest cousins and one of their daughters has breast cancer. My mother did not survive the cancer. She fought for 12 years and finally it won. My doctors were all very concern so they had me do genetic counseling and found out that I was at a very high risk. So, I have had both of my breasts removed and a full hysterectomy to prevent cancer.

I will be riding with a women who is now fighting breast cancer and two women who lost their mother to breast cancer last October. They also have three other sisters and all of them have tested positive for the bracca (sp) cancer gene.

That is our story. Looking forward to the ride.
~Sandi Sorensen

This year I cannot participate in the Red Riding Hood ride. I was diagnosed with breast cancer December 26, 2006. I just finished Chemo and am getting ready to start radiation therapy for 6 weeks. Unfortunately, my strength has been zapped and I have been unable to train for this years ride. At this point I doubt I would make it to the end of the driveway! However, I was wondering if there was any other way I could help. Do you need volunteers? Can I still purchase a bike shirt? Can I purchase other items if I am not participating in the ride?

Thank you in advance for taking the time to answer this email. Next year I will be back - better than ever!!! (and a little lighter too! there are some advantages to chemo)
~Tammy L. Smith

Yes, I am a breast cancer survivor. I was diagnosed Oct. 02. Received treatments until Jan 15 of 03. Since then I have only done races or rides that benefit cancer groups. I am now a 3 year triathlete thanks to the disease. It has turned my life around. I started triathlons for cancer benefits. in 04. My big triathlon this year is Tri for the cure in Denver Aug. 5th. 3000 women only. Susan Komen of course. Let me know if you would like to know more. I could go on and on. I am excited for the ride. This will be my first road ride experience for a function.
~Marilyn

At age 37 In June of 2000 and working 13 years as a Kindergarten Teacher, I found myself finally moving to a new school. It was a cumbersome project. It took most of the summer to move everything I had collected in those years. Also, in June of 2000, went to have my yearly Pap smear and breast exam. The doctor found lumps on my breasts. I knew about them but my breasts had lumps most of my adult life and none of the physicians were alarmed enough to investigate further. This particular time in June the doctor put my hand on my left breast where she had found one of the many lumps. I replied that I knew it was there and she asked me how much caffeinated beverages I was drinking. That was it. No concern, no further investigation or warning that this lump or the others that were found might be a cause for concern. I put my trust in her and I went on with my life as usual.

Six months later I came home from work and found blood coming from my nipple on the left side. Alarmed as any women would be I immediately phoned my doctor to report this. I was informed that if it did not happen again I would be fine but if it did happen again that I should be concerned. The next day I attempted to make an appointment with a new nurse practitioner that many of my heath club buddies ranted and raved about. The office personnel were not very receiving and I had to wait another three months to get in to see her. After all, I shouldn’t be worried because my previous doctor certainly was not concerned! When I finally got to see the nurse she felt the lump for a few seconds and expressed alarm and concern that nothing was done previously. She ran out of the exam room and I could hear her on the phone ordering a mammogram and an ultrasound. I could tell that she was alarmed just by the tone of her voice. I was worried but I kept thinking that the previous doctor was not concerned at all and after all, she must have the medical knowledge to make that judgment. A couple of weeks later I heard the surgeon’s voice on the phone saying, “it’s Cancer”. I was devastated. I was only 37 years old. How could this happen to me? Cancer did not run in my family. Why didn’t the previous doctor recommend a mammogram or another visit to check on my condition? After all she was the expert. She went to medical school. My tumor was significantly large. I was in stage 3. I had to have an additional surgery to remove my breast.

Eight months prior to my diagnosis, my new boss, principal and friend announced in faculty meeting that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. I had just spent the last 8 months watching her undergo chemotherapy and radiation. She was very sick. But determined as she is, she kept working most of the time. The strength she displayed while undergoing treatment for cancer was incredible. She was my new boss and I was recognizing the first year at the school that she was very supportive and caring of her staff. When I informed her of my breast cancer it was as it she became my anchor, my support. She came to both of my surgeries and every single chemotherapy session. I realize now that it probably made her sick watching me get chemotherapy because it made me feel very nauseated. Having a year round school schedule, she asked teachers how many would be willing to take over my class for a week while I was home vomiting and recovering. Many volunteered while they were off track. When I came back to school my boss would dome down to my room several times a day and demand that I take a break while she watched my students. Because of her continued support I too made it through devastating treatment. I really doubt that I could have undergone chemo without her support. I know now that moving from one school to another had much to do with my higher power. I completed all my treatment in the winter of 2001 just before the Olympics came to Utah. My life was changed forever. I felt that I had been given a second chance at life, a new beginning.

Most of my life I have enjoyed working out, and involved myself in spin class. My friends convinced my to get a road bike. I absolutely loved riding outside. It was such a thrill to see the sun setting and the beautiful country while riding. I began doing century rides. I became involved in raising awareness of this devastating illness called cancer. I raised $6000.00 dollars for the Huntsman Cancer Institute and rode 100 miles around Lake Tahoe. I raised the most money so I received the yellow jersey from HCI. I did several other centuries as time went by including Little Red Riding Hood, the SLC, Toole, St George, Logan, and Heber.

In July of 2005 I was out riding like the many times that I did in the summer months. I was doing one of my favorite quick rides and was coming down a hill by my house when my life was changed once again. I was hit by a car driven by a 79 year old woman. I don’t remember the impact. I remember waking up just as I was about to go onto the ambulance and then later on Air Med. My broken body needed repair. I endured an open Tab, Fib fracture with 3 surgeries and later 2 hand surgeries. I had to miss the first day of school in fact the first 8 weeks of school. I had already learned my students’ names. All I needed was to match their faces to each name that I had learned. I was once again devastated. I spent the next 3 weeks in the hospital and six weeks at home recovering. I was angry and frustrated.

Again, the boss a friend I had grown to love was there with her support. I found comfort and joy with my new students as soon as I returned to work. I was nominated for an outstanding educator award and out of 500 applicants I was in the top 20. The next February 2006, I completed the Zion Country Spring century. I was still healing so I wasn’t sure if I’d do the whole 100 but some how I did And I completed 8 other centuries, the most I had ever done in a 4 month period. My confidence was back.

Just after I completed the Heber century I felt some swollen lymph nodes in my neck about the size of a pea. I had a cold at the time and just passed it off as a symptom of the cold. I was sure that the swollen nodes were getting smaller. Then one day I realized they had been around for longer than the cold and they were not going away. I went to my regular scheduled six month check up with my Oncologist and again bad news. The cancer had metastasized. I couldn’t speak. My thoughts were racing. I had so many. I kept thinking in my mind does this mean death? I am too young. Was this my reward for just completing 9 centuries? Why me? I thought that I had beaten cancer down and it was gone forever. I was sure of it. I had survived 5 ½ years and in my mind it was not coming back. Now what? Was there any hope for my life left?

I am currently receiving my second round chemotherapy each week and surprisingly despite the weight gain from the steroids, I am handling it well. I just did the marathon bicycle ride even though I was quite fatigued at the finish line. I have signed up for the Toole, SLC, and Little Red Riding Hood Centuries. Although I may do the metric century on most of these rides I just keep telling myself “Hey I am still out there riding!” That is an accomplishment in itself to be out riding despite the circumstances. There was no cancer found at the time of my last scan. I hope that I can enjoy the summer riding into the sunset and enjoying the scenery.
~Becky McKenzie

Thanks for organizing this ride to support breast cancer survivors. I come from a family with a history of breast cancer. My older sister found a lump in her breast while tending children about 20 years ago. She felt a sore spot when lifting the children and had it checked up on. It was a malignant cancer lump. She had a lumpectomy, lymph glands removed and radiation. She went for 17 years thinking she had beat it. Then she found another lump in the same breast. She had her breast removed, then found two more lumps, did Chemotherapy and radiation which shrunk the lumps, and is now one year past the treatments and is doing fine so far. Her pet scans have come out clear so far. We pray for her all the time. She is leading a normal life and very grateful for every passing day.

My mother had cancer found in a routine mammogram about 12 years ago. She had a lumpectomy and radiation which has cured her so far. She is turning 88 this August. Myself and my daughter have both had a nonmalignant tumor removed. As you can see, I have hereditary cancer in my family and therefore, I have my yearly mammogram and am doing fine so far. I am proud and happy to ride for the Little Red Riding Hood Bike Ride supporting the fight against Breast Cancer.

My group that are riding just started last year and we are doing it again this year with some riders joining us for the fun of it. We are a group of ladies, mostly over 50 years old and we call ourselves the "Hot Buff Women" and we love to do active things together to prove that we can still do it! We have some younger gals joining us who have heard about the ride and expressed interest. Our motto is "the more the merrier". We also love it when some of our daughters join us. We had two daughters last year and may have several more daughters join us again this year.

Thank you for providing a ride for just women and a good cause and for making it a fun ride for a bunch of little old ladies.
~ Marcia Moon

My mother has been such a great example in my life. She has always promoted health and fitness. I remember going to bed at night while she was doing her Richard Simmons exercise videos. Now that I am older I truly appreicate my moms teachings.

She is a certified Yoga instructor and I am a certified Spinning and Aerobic Instructor. We both are very active and love spending time together. Cycling was a great way to bring us together and do something good for our bodies at the same time.

My Mom has participated in the "Little Red Riding hood" for the past 3 years and last year was my first. It was such a great experience! We laughed the whole time! The best thing about it was that the men were serving the women! We really look forward to riding in it again this year. We have My Aunt and her daughter joining us along with some of our friends. The husbands will be volunteering and cheering on the wives. It is guarenteed to be a day full
~Anon of fun

I am riding in memory of my aunt Margy, an amazing woman who died of breast cancer at the age of 33. She left behind 6 kids and as I have watched them grow, I have become increasingly committed to being a part of the cure for this devastating disease.

This is my first Little Red, and I have heard so many wonderful things about the ride. I owned and operated a health club for women for 6 years and in that role I became deeply passionate about working with, and for, women. I am so excited to ride with you this year, and look forward to making it an annual tradition. See you in Logan!
~Denise Druce

Penny,
My mother is a 23 year survivor of stage 3 breast cancer. She is now 73 years old and well. Even thought the side effects of the therapies caused permanent damage to her feet, kidney’s and muscles- there is not a day she is not thankful to be alive. My mother is in San Diego- she advocates for breast cancer awareness and is involved there.
~Missy

For years I was a long distance runner--I ran several marathons. I loved running and thought I would go on running 'til the end of time--or at least until the end of my time. Then one day hip replacement surgery put an end to my running. I was told by my doctor that running would wear out my new hip very quickly and I would soon need another replacement. It took me a few years to accept the fact that I was through running--even though I wasn't running. People who knew me as a runner would ask if I was still running. It took me awhile to deal with that. I was no longer a runner.

Then last year I heard about the Little Red Riding Hood bike ride and decided to enter. I was quite nervous about switching from being on foot to riding a bike, but I kept training. When I finished the Little Red Ridng Hood I was elated. I had done it. AND I could hardly wait to do it again this year.
~Marie Haney

I am riding for all the women (and men) who I used to know when I was coordinator (1996-2001) of the High Risk Breast Cancer Clinic at Huntsman Cancer Institute at Huntsman Cancer Institute. I no longer work at the Institute but miss the family members that I came to know well and care about. I am also riding for my friend Becky who found a large lump on March 24th, had it biopsied on Friday (April 13), and was told that it was very likely malignant. I'm going with her to the surgeon's appointment tomorrow, April 16, to get the definitive diagnosis, and if it's cancer, I will be with her every step of the way through her treatment.
~Marybeth Hart Janerich

My mother is a breast cancer survivor. She had bilateral mastectomies 31 years ago at the age of 50. She is still in great health and a very inspirational survivor. At 81 she still takes her 2 dogs on daily walks and maintains her home in Mexico and in UT. I am riding in her honor.
~ Pat

I am riding in memory of two wonderful women who died of breast cancer after very valiant efforts to beat the disease. Much has been done in the way of earlier and better diagnosis since my aunt and my friend were diagnosed, but as we all know, there is more to do.

I rode last year for the first time and this year I actually have a road bike - the metric century should be easier! This is a great way to increase awareness and most importantly to recognize the women that are cancer survivors. I work for The Sharing Place, a grief support program for children here in SLC and continuing to recognize those that have survived and those that have not is very important. Little Red, for me, it is a great opportunity to do both.

My aunt: Jean Hornig
My friend: Joanie Harper
Thanks,
~Gaylen Hasson

I'll be riding for my mother-in-law who lost the battle to breast cancer in 1985 and for her daughter, grand-daughters and great-grand-daughters - that their lives will be filled with hope and the promise of a bright future free of the disease.
~Cathi Allen