Stefi
WalksHi! My name is Stefi and I am a Survivor of Breast Cancer. This website is to tell everyone about my Walk for Breast Cancer. Please keep on checking back here to see how I have progressed and whats new!
There are
over one million
women in America
with undetected
breast cancer.
Walk for Life
Three years ago Avon Breast Cancer 3-Days started and over 31,000 people have participated to raise funds and awareness for Breast Cancer. This walk is a 72 hour, 60 mile walk which takes place in different States throughout the year. Entrants from every walk of life, train for months in advance and raise money on their own to enter the walk.
On the weekend of April 19, 2002, I will be participating in a 60 mile journey from Boca Raton to Miami, Florida with about 2000 other courageous people to raise money for and awareness of breast cancer. Starting in November of 2002, I have began rebuilding and healing my stamina, body and spirit by training for this 60 mile walk. I have agreed to raise $1900US by February 14. Everyone that knows me knows that my idea of an outdoor adventure is a beach chair, a cute outfit and a good book - not getting blisters on my feet, sweating and living in a moving tent city for 3 days with tons of people sharing moveable showers and port-a-potties. I do this walk with every fiber of my healthy being for the women that I love and for their daughters and sisters and mothers and for the men that I love (like my Uncle Gary, a breast cancer survivor) and the men that continue to lose the important women in their lives.
This is my goal, my journey, my healing and I want to share it with you.
Want to know more about the walk, visit:
My Story
Don't ask me how, but I knew that I had breast cancer for 3 years before it was found. Every year I told my family doctor this and she said with no lumps or bumps or family history, I was too young to do any testing and basically dismissed me. September 22, 2000, I received the results of a routine pathology report after my much anticipated breast reduction. Me - Breast Cancer - at age 36!!
With tremendous amount of love and
support, I along with Frank and a wonderful oncologist made the decision to go
for a "bilateral
prophylactic mastectomy". That meant removing both breasts (and
having reconstruction) basically "just-in-case". I was so scared
that for me I knew that I had to take control and be proactive. On March
22, 2001 I had both breasts removed and another cancer was discovered on my
other breast.
Me - A 2 time breast cancer survivor - at age 37!
Now there is no treatment needed for me
and I was lucky to escape the horrors of radiation and chemotherapy.
I have been blessed.
My Training
My training started in November 2001. I started walking on my treadmill in my home. I now go to the local Forces Base and walk the track. I also do Aquasize to assist in my training. I have put many, many hours into my training to prepare for the walk and have come a long way since the beginning. Right now I am walking between 4-6 miles a day, which takes approximately 1-2 hours. Some days I do the Aquasize as well as the walk training.
I have started a new form of cross training - belly dancing! what a work out and also, what a great way to feel like a woman again!!"
Raising Funds
I would like to count on you as my partner for this incredible adventure by supporting my fund raising effort. I hope that you will be generous as you can. Your pledge shows me that you will be walking with me in spirit.
To make a secure online donation, click below:
Choose the Florida 2002 Event and
Enter participants name: Stefi
Davies and Walker #1282
great news! I am up to $970.00!
Thank you
"Thank you to my sweet husband, my
accountant and valued girlfriend - Sheila, my most long time girlfriend
Jennifer, the girl who earned her international ribbon by sleeping (just
napping) with me- Miss Me-Me and the closest thing to a daughter I will ever
have and her other/real mom- Amanda and Sue."
Thank you to all those who have read my page and signed my book. It is amazing to think of how we can all have such a profound effect on one another!
My step daughter -in law, calls our
campground study group - "our support group"
and you bet they are supporting me!! Thanks Mary and Norm, Gary and Lynn, John
and Nancy.
Thanks Kathy and for inspiring me for my original breast reduction.
Thanks goes to Lois - my tacky Christmas earring gal!
Breast Cancer Awareness
Awareness
The Value of Breast Self-Examination
Breast Cancer Basics
Breast Cancer and Mammography Facts
Breast Cancer Information Service
Breast Cancer Awareness and Solutions Network
Breast Cancer - Making the Right Choices for You
Early Breast Cancer- KNOW YOUR OPTIONS!
Breast Cancer Treatment Options
Breast Cancer & Family history
Organizations
American Cancer Society
(ACS)
National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC)
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
BreastHealthOnline
Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization
The Breast Cancer Network
Breast Cancer Online
The Breast Cancer Site
Canadian Cancer Society
Books
Bosom Buddies- Learn, Laugh and Live Through Breast Cancer
Bosom Buddies was my absolute favorite
Breast Cancer- A Family Survival Guide
A Spiritual Journey Through Breast Cancer
Dr. Susan Love's Breast Book
A Survivor's Guide to Breast Cancer- A Couple's Story to Faith & Love
Useful
Links
Avon Breast Cancer Awareness Crusade
Breast Cancer Risk Calculator
Ways
to Help
I am no longer afraid of mirrors where I see the sign of the amazon, the one who shoots arrows. There was a fine line across my chest where a knife entered, but now a branch winds about the scar and travels from arm to heart. Green leaves cover the branch, grapes hang there and a bird appears. What grows in me now is vital and does not cause me harm. I think the bird is singing. I have designed my chest with the care given to an illuminated manuscript. I am no longer ashamed to make love. Love is a battle I can win. I have the body of a warrior who does not kill or wound. On the book of my body, I have permanently inscribed a tree.
Halla Hammid photograph. Deena Metzger text from her story "Tree". Inspirational resource for masectomy and breast cancer caregivers and survivors.
When the results of a routine mammogram showed a suspicious area, I was told I would need a biopsy. Panic! I've always liked my breasts, and visualization helped me as I waited for the dreaded procedure. My imagined internal helpers zoomed around inside my breast making it all healthy. In my mind's eye, they were luminescent, white, and spiritlike. . . They made me laugh and helped me keep the pain at bay. I visualized the tender love I felt for this part of my body. This calmed me and helped me face the challenge ahead.
Waiting for the Biopsy by Rosalie Ann Cassell
Background watercolour by Stefi
Page created January 2002
with love by
Christine & Marlene
