Liz

My Mother had died of breast cancer when I was 16 and I was diligent about having annual mammograms. In March, 1999, my gynecologist felt swollen lymph nodes in my armpit. Since I had just had a mammogram, she thought they might be due to a virus and suggested waiting a few weeks to see if they subsided. That did not sit well with my husband, a physician, and so the next day the lymph nodes were biopsied and an MRI revealed a tumor in my breast. Because of my Mother’s history I was not shocked but like with so many things in life, the timing could not have been worse. That spring my first grandchild was due to be born and I was looking forward to helping my daughter, Deborah. And on July 4 our daughter, Marjorie, was to be married in a wedding at home. However, I did welcome my newborn grandson a week before surgery, and my daughter Marjorie had a beautiful wedding, even with her Mom sporting a new wig. I continued to work full time while undergoing chemo and radiation. A friend had been urging me to try dragon boat paddling but I felt I did not have time. However, in 2006, a year after my husband died of Leukemia I needed an outlet and decided to give it a try. I immediately felt a sense of calmness on the water and a connection to my husband who rowed on the Schuylkill while in high school. Paddling and the team have since become an important part of my life.