It was February of 2009 when I had a lumpectomy and node dissection. I had a very hard time with chemotherapy as the treatment caused me to go into shock and eventually I had a neurological seizure. As a result, I lost my memory for 3 weeks and I also developed asthma. It was a very hard year and discouraging feelings overwhelmed me. I love to walk and I could not even make it up a flight of stairs without almost passing out and gasping for air. I was not able to carry out any of my day to day normal activities.
My dear friends and teammates, Beverly and Ana urged me to join the breast cancer survivors exercise class and Dragon Boat Team at the Integrative Center at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer center. Exercise? Are you kidding me? I couldn’t even walk up a ramp! It was there I met Donna Wilson, our Captain and mentor and a group of very brave and beautiful woman who had all survived cancer. They exercised hard and were very supportive of one another. They encouraged me to do my best and reassured me that healing takes time.

A new world opened up for me once we were able to get out on the water and paddle. Donna helped me with breathing exercises and with each practice, I was able to build up my endurance. Our coach, James Ma, encouraged us and drilled us like we were preparing for the Olympics! He told me not to be afraid to use all my strength. He said when you get it right and you are paddling with all your strength, you get into a “zone” of euphoria, an “up” feeling I never thought I would feel again. He was right and it is exhilarating.
I am proud to be a part of the Empire Dragon Boat Team and honored to be among such fantastic team mates. It has changed my life. Go Empire!