I spent 2008, at the age of 36, in the land of breast cancer. I had 2 surgeries, 4 months of chemotheraphy and 5 weeks of radiation. Now in 2009, I have begun my 5 years of hormone therapy.

As most people who have had chemo know: one of the most annoying side effects is “chemo brain,” aka memory loss, lack of focus and the absolute inability to finish a complete thought! However, I do remember exactly where I was when I noticed swelling in my finger and hand. I knew it was the beginning of lymphedema or swelling of the lymphatic system which can be a result of lymph node dissection or removal during surgery. I immediately sought out a lymphedema therapist and began treatment.

Through this experience I have found that the best way to gain information is to talk to everyone you know. My sister-in-law told me that a relative had previously been diagnosed with lymphedema. Her swelling was reduced significantly due to treatment and her participation in a dragon boat team. This team consisted of women cancer survivors. I looked up the team’s website, watched their video and cried—- women paddling together in silence and taking charge of their own health by keeping their lymphatic system moving.

This is when I started to move my body. I looked into classes at Memorial Sloan Kettering’s Integrative Medicine Center and joined Donna Wilson’s class for frozen shoulder and lymphedema. I began to feel empowered instead of helpless. I began to notice muscles instead of my previously droopy arms and legs. I began to make friends and bond with other women in the class.

It was during one of the classes while Donna and I were stretching that I asked if she had heard of the dragon boat teams—and her eyes lit up! She knew all about them and asked if I would be interested in a team in NYC! From that very moment, Donna and I put our hearts into organizing our team of women cancer survivors.