13 Jul Cancer Survivor Fitness Journey
Christie Cox
In 2013 just 4 months after turning 40. I found a lump under my left breast. Not thinking much of it had it checked “just in case”. I really thought that since my mammogram on my 40th birthday was clear that it was not going to be anything. In February 2013 after a mammogram, ultrasound, and biopsy I found out that the lump was cancer. Stage 3. In March 2013, I had 2 surgeries to remove cancer and lymph nodes. First, a partial mastectomy and 11 lymph nodes were removed. 9 of the 11 lymph nodes had cancer. End of March I had a 2nd surgery to have a full mastectomy and a port-a-cath was placed in my chest for chemo treatments. At the same time, I found out that I was positive for the BRCA2 gene and that my cancer was HER 2 + which is hormone-driven cancer. Being BRCA 2 positive is rare but even rarer is being BRCA @ & HER2 +.
I started chemotherapy in April 2013 every other week went in for chemo. Treatment was 5-7 hour treatment. After 8 rounds (16 weeks) I was done with chemo and began radiation. Radiation was 36 daily treatments. Nov 2013 I had finished all treatments. It was time to focus on reconstruction, but before I could do that I need to have a hysterectomy due to BRCA2. This put me into menopause at 40 years old. August 2014 I had DIEP flap Reconstruction done at Stanford hospital. The surgery was 14-hour surgery, 1 day in ICU and 4 days in the hospital. For 3 years I saw my oncologist (Dr. Hsu) every 3 months for blood work and check-ups. In Dec 2016 I finally was able to have my port a cath removed. My cancer markers had been all clear and continue to be clear. Once the port was removed I felt a relief that cancer was really behind me and in the past. As of today 5 years, I am cancer free, but 40 lbs heavier than I was in 2013. Dr. Hsu has told me numerous times that the weight gain is from all I went through with cancer and hormone-driven cancer. When I get frustrated with the weight my husband reminds me that I am healthier now than I was in 2013 ( since I am cancer free). It is now my 5-year cancerversary and it’s time to focus on health and making myself healthier and fit. This is why I chose Oak Street Studios. Cancer is behind me and I want to find a way to lose the weight that I struggle with.
In 2016, my sister in love Shelly found out she had Breast Cancer. Her cancer journey was very similar, just 3 years time difference between my cancer and hers. We are married to brothers and for the past 20+ years, we have done things similarly. We did not expect to share cancer journeys also. So 2018 we are both cancer free and starting this health and fitness journey together with the help of Michelle & Oaks Street Studios.
Shelly Cox
Two years ago I was diagnosed with stage 2, HER2 positive breast cancer. I had chemo, radiation, a partial mastectomy and a total hysterectomy. Over the last 10 months or so I started having really bad body & muscle pain with joint stiffness & fatigue. I felt so bad I didn’t really want to do anything especially exercise. I recently was diagnosed & started medication for fibromyalgia. I feel so much better now that I wanted to start exercising. Oak Street Studio has been the perfect place for me to start my journey of getting mentally and physically fit. Cancer changes you. You will never be who you were before but I truly believe I am a better person for having gone through it.