PAULETTE

I lived in Philadelphia all my life. I always loved playing recreational sports. I was on the girls’ basketball team in grade school, but that was the extent of my involvement in organized sports. When I was a kid, we would go visit my Grandmother in Delaware County. We would always drive past the Schuylkill and I would be mesmerized by the scull boats out on the river. Even though I was petrified of water, I always dreamed that I could do that someday. Little did I know that my dream would come true by getting cancer!

In May of 2004, at the age of 51, I felt a lump in my breast. It was time for my annual mammogram, so I figured if there was anything wrong, they would pick it up. The mammogram was negative, but fortunately, I followed up with my doctor and was ultimately diagnosed with Invasive Lobular Breast Cancer that had spread to my lymph nodes. It was a total shock to me – something that happens to everyone else, but certainly not to me. The women in my family all live well into their 90’s and there is no history of cancer.

I had a lumpectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation. The lesson I learned and tell everyone is that just because a mammogram shows that you are cancer free, if you feel in your gut that something is wrong, trust your instincts and follow up with your doctor.

Soon after finishing my treatments, in May of 2005, I participated in the Komen Mother’s Day Race for the Cure, where I was approached by Susy, a very enthusiastic woman who saw my bald head and told me I “looked like I should be on Hope Afloat.” At 73 years young, Susy had the energy of a 30-year old. Although I had no idea what Hope Afloat was, I soon came to learn that it was a dragon boat team whose mission is to “help survivors of breast cancer make positive emotional, spiritual, and physical changes in their lives through the ancient sport of Dragon Boat Racing.” The only criterion for joining the team is that you have had breast cancer.

The next week I headed down to the Schuylkill River where I met the most amazing group of women I have ever known. I was captivated by this unique floating support group of incredibly strong, powerful, focused, energetic women, and I immediately joined the team.

Hope Afloat has become an integral part of my life. I have traveled, partied, laughed, cried, and raced all over the United States, Canada, and even as far as Italy and Australia, with these women. I have become an athlete and I have won medals. But most importantly, I have made life-long friends who I truly treasure.

I was married to my high school sweetheart. We had 4 children and 5 grandchildren. Several years after I finished my treatments, my husband told me for the first time, that while I was going through chemo, he would lay next to me when I was sleeping and put his hand on my bald head and pray that God would take the cancer from me and put it in him. In 2010, his prayers were answered when he was diagnosed with lung cancer. This was a complete role reversal for us, as I was now the caregiver rather than the patient. Harry only survived for 6 months and I was beyond devastated. But, my angels on Hope Afloat were there to support me and help to get my life back on track. I can never thank them enough for that.

And, if you happen to join the team, ask me some day about Ralph.