In honor of the amazing after BREAST CANCER Ambassadors, we decided to ask some important questions so that we can share their experiences to help others. Ambassador Joanna Chrystal.
Q: Leading a hectic life sometimes makes us forget to take care of our health. When you first felt your lump, what actions were taken at that time or did you wait it out?
A: My new partner and I found suspicious lumps on a long weekend vacation in Florida on the American Thanksgiving 1998. I found a lump on my breast and my partner found a lump in my armpit, but he didn’t tell me until we arrived home. Shell shock! Didn’t waste any time getting an appointment to see my doctor who sent me for an ultrasound. I could tell by the expression on the technician’s face that it was not good news and it wasn’t. Stage 3 Breast Cancer with lymph node involvement. I was scheduled immediately for surgery and was on a plane to Paris December 26th to meet a girlfriend. Surgeon said if I could raise my arm over my head I could go. No stopping me from going to my favorite city. By the way my new partner is still with me!
Q: Being a strong and independent woman, often we try to deal with things on our own. When you were diagnosed with breast cancer did you reach out to others for support? (from family, support groups)
A: My family, friends and work were very supportive of my diagnosis, during chemo and my being sent to Buffalo for radiation treatment. During one of my chemo treatments at Women’s College Hospital I met a very outgoing woman who said she was paddling with a Breast Cancer Survivor Dragon Boat Team. I thought this sounded like a cool thing to do and told everyone I was going to become Dragon Boater once my treatments were done and that is exactly what I did. In the Spring of 2000 I joined Dragons Abreast and it was the best thing I could of done. I became a fit athlete and had the support of so many like-minded woman. I can’t imagine my life without the support of Dragons Abreast.