One in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. We all know more than 8 women, so it is more than likely that breast cancer will impact your life. Here’s my story that I have waited ten years to share. It is the right time as we are immersed in Breast Cancer Awareness month, and we recently launched our Dink in Pink for Breast Cancer Collection with our good friend Nancy Tedeschi, the founder of Pickleball Bella.
I discovered a lump in my breast about 12 years ago. I brought it up to my doctor and she recommended we should monitor it. I noticed it getting bigger, and she still advised we monitor it. I told her that I would like to have it removed, and she said that a biopsy would be the first step. The biopsy didn’t go well…they couldn’t get a sample of the lump after at least 20 tries. I was told that the biopsy result was negative for cancer. My gut said that it wasn’t an accurate biopsy so six months later I requested another one. That biopsy did not go well either…the lump was very hard and the 2nd doctor struggled to get a sample again. The result for that biopsy was also negative, and I was told the lump was fine. Then shockingly, my best friend Faye who I have known since 5th grade, called to tell me that she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Our conversation brought us both to tears. My concern for my best friend, and also my own lump multiplied my fears, so I called my doctor and told her I don’t want to wait any longer—I just want the lump removed. We scheduled a lumpectomy with a surgeon and post-op they informed me that everything went well. I went to the follow-up appointment alone fully expecting everything to be okay. I was shocked. The lumpectomy revealed that I had stage 2 intraductal, estrogen-positive, invasive breast cancer.
My advice to anyone reading this…NEVER wait to have a lump removed. By waiting two years, mine had spread to the breast tissue. I also always advise, never go to a post-lumpectomy appointment alone. I’ll never forget calling my husband and telling him everything is going to be okay, but I need you to come to my appointment. My next thought was, how in the world will I tell my 20 year old daughter who was on the brink of graduating college and had her sights set on advertising firms in big cities that I had cancer? I didn’t want her to be weighed down by my diagnosis, or feel obligated to stay near home. I can't tell you how or what I told her that night at dinner, I just know that it was the most difficult conversation of my life, and we were all in tears. Telling anyone you have breast cancer is a very difficult thing to do. My way to cope was to tell everyone I loved that it was going to be okay, even though I wasn’t so sure. I was terrified that it had already metastasized throughout my body. I wanted a mastectomy to remove all of the cancerous tissue as soon as possible.
Anyone who has had a mastectomy knows they are difficult. Probably the worst pain I’ve ever experienced. The two follow-up surgeries to put a metal expander in my chest, and another reconstructive surgery required a lot of recovery time, but I was more fortunate than many. My lymph nodes were clear, so I didn’t require chemotherapy. Ten years later, I am still cancer free, so I have been able to put it behind me. My best friend Faye’s cancer returned a second time, but after a mastectomy and radiation, she has also been cancer free for ten years.
When people ask for my advice about breast cancer I always tell them to advocate for yourself. If you have a lump, get it out as soon as you can no matter what the doctors advise…just get it out. You don’t need a lump. You do need your life. Whenever a friend or family member is diagnosed with breast cancer, I offer to sit down with them and answer any questions they may have. I usually invite my friend Patti who is a doctor, and a breast cancer survivor. It’s comforting for anyone who has a new diagnosis to ask questions of someone who has already recovered. Since my diagnosis, my niece Ruthie was also diagnosed with breast cancer. She bravely faced surgeries and chemo while raising two young, busy boys. Three years later, she is doing great.
Breast cancer is an insidious disease that needs to be eradicated. It affects the lives of too many women, and too many lives have been lost. Our Dink in Pink for Breast Cancer Collection is intended to raise awareness for all women experiencing breast cancer, and to raise funds for The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
Our friend Nancy at Pickleball Bella designed the pink and white original Pickleball Bella skirt which has pickleball paddles, pink ribbons, and the words “pink, faith, hope, love and power.” When she learned that I was a survivor of breast cancer, she generously invited us to join forces on this project. jojo+lo Pickleball has created matching pickleball tank tops, t-shirts, hoodies, beanies and caps. It is available on Pickleball Bella’s website, pickleballbella.com, and on jojo+lo’s website jojoandlo.com, and soon at many pickleball clubs and retailers across the country.
JoJo and I recently did a photo shoot to capture images of our new Dink in Pink for Breast Cancer Collection. We invited our pickleball friends whose lives have also been impacted by breast cancer to join us for the shoot. We all had a wonderful, empowering time together, and our friends also wanted to share their stories and advice to help others…
Leigh, Denice, Lo, and Lisette at our Dink In Pink For Breast Cancer photo shoot.
Denice’s Story
I discovered a lump in my breast the week before the country shut down for COVID. I knew that I would have to face breast cancer by myself, as I was not allowed to have anyone with me during the process which included mammograms, ultrasounds, biopsies, MRI’s, appointments with cancer specialists and surgeons. I was fortunate…I’m almost 4 years cancer free.
I had a lot of support from family and friends. It seemed as though everybody knew someone who had gone through breast cancer. I was given names and phone numbers of people who I could call with any questions I might have. People really do want to talk about their experience.
I don’t know how much advice I can offer, I just put my faith in my doctors and was able to stay positive. Others may have a different diagnosis and be at a later stage. They may need to go through chemotherapy which I did not have to do. My heart goes out to others facing a more difficult time. You are my heroes.
Our friend, Denice.
Leigh’s Story
My original diagnosis was in July, 2019, and I underwent chemotherapy and radiation. I was diagnosed with a second round of breast cancer in January, 2024. Unfortunately this new cancer had metastasized into my sternum.
I am a first grade teacher and have made the decision to teach through my treatments both in 2019 and currently. My students during the 2019-20 school year will always hold a special place in my heart. They celebrated with me each time I completed a round of chemo. They cheered and marveled when my hair began to grow back. They filled my days with joy and exploration and allowed me to forget that I was a cancer patient.
My compassionate husband understands better than anyone that I don’t want to be limited or defined by my diagnosis. Shortly after we received the diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer in early 2024, he began planning a spring break trip that included spending time in Colorado with family skiing and snowshoeing; a visit to Bryce Canyon National Park, hiking into the canyon and around many of the loops; a visit to Zion National Park where we hiked the Narrows in freezing water; and finally catching a show in Las Vegas before flying home. I was so extremely grateful that my husband didn't ever question whether or not I could handle such an action-packed trip only two months after beginning my treatment for metastatic breast cancer.
My advice to others experiencing breast cancer is to surround yourself with people who share positive energy and thoughts. Support from my students, parents and siblings is an incredible source of support and encouragement for me.
Our friend, Leigh.
Lisette's Story
I lost my mom to metastatic breast cancer in June 2013. My mom was my best friend. We were only 20 years apart and she was a single mom, so we were incredibly close. We even ran a company together.
One thing I would tell all women is to listen to their bodies. My mother‘s breast cancer was not caught on a mammogram, but found through a self exam. At that point it had already spread to her lymph nodes, which was after she had been told her mammogram was clear. Be proactive and be your biggest medical advocate.
My husband and I have medical backgrounds, so one way we could help my mom was to decipher through all of the medical information she was receiving. Patients can get incredibly lost with all the medical minutiae. It helps to have someone who can digest and translate the terminology, as well as cut-through red tape to make sure everything is going as smoothly as possible. It is hard for a patient to take on this task themselves when they are already struggling to get through their diagnosis and treatment.
My mom’s friends were an incredible support system for her and took turns sitting with her in the hospital, when I could not not be with her. They kept her spirits up playing games, reading books, and watching TV with her. When you are a caregiver, I recommend that you accept help when people offer. It helps them to feel purposeful and can take some of the pressure off of the caregiver. My mother never liked to be alone in the hospital, so it was incredibly helpful to have a village to help keep her company, even if it was just sitting next to her while she slept.
As my mom would say…life is incredibly short, so live each day to the fullest.
Our friend, Lisette.
jojo+lo Pickleball and Pickleball Bella are honored to have the opportunity to make a difference for women fighting breast cancer, and we want you to know that our hearts and our hopes are with you. Ten percent of all sales of the Dink in Pink for Breast Cancer Collection will be donated to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, which is dedicated to ending breast cancer by advancing the world’s most promising research.