A Woman Surviving Breast Cancer

My life prior to diagnoses...

Originally from Galway, on the west coast of Ireland. But I have lived in Maine for 28 years, and am proud to call it AND America my home. I have worked as a Physical Therapist Assistant for 11 years, with specialties in Oncology Rehab, and I am also a Certified Lymphedema Therapist. My career is not only my job, it’s my passion, especially since my own diagnosis. I am currently single, and live in one of the most beautiful places in the world. Acadia National Park is my backyard. I am a runner, a biker and my happy place is on a SUP. All of which I can do in this beautiful place.

How did you learn about your diagnosis?

My sister had been diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009, so I was being closely monitored by my medical team. Despite this, my cancer went undetected until I found it the first lump, and was diagnosed on April 23rd, 2015. My surgeon subsequently found two more large tumors, that never showed up on the breast MRI. At no point did I ever say “why me”, it was more “why not me?” Millions of women world wide deal with hearing those words “it’s cancer”, and I was determined to face this new challenge in my life head on. I have taken this opportunity to educate myself and others about navigating this horror that is called cancer (or as I so lovingly call it, my "shit storm"!). I have chosen to deal with it with humor, exercise, knowledge, and a "tribe" of supporting individuals including family, friends, and an amazing medical

team.

As a Physical Therapy Assistant, I am furthering my education to provide oncology rehab to patients like myself undergoing cancer treatment. I found that carefully monitored exercise during chemo and other treatments for cancer, helped me minimize the side effects of medications, and provide a better quality of life. I am passionate about helping others through their "shit storm" and look forward to being part of my patients “tribe”.

Type of treatment received...

Type and Staging at Diagnosis: Stage II A multifocal, multi centric left breast CA ER/PR+/HER2- Procedures included: 2 Lumpectomies, 4 rounds of chemotherapy, followed by a Bilateral mastectomy, with tissue expander to silicone implant reconstruction. And 5-10 years of Tamoxifen to decrease risk of recurrence or metastasis.

Life Now...

I tend to not ever refer to myself as a “survivor”. I call myself a woman surviving breast cancer. I won’t know I’ve beaten this disease, until I die from something else. Then you can put on my gravestone... “she survived breast cancer. It was the bus that took her out!”. I feel like I have taken something that could have torn me down, and I let it build me up. I am passionate about advocating for women going through breast cancer and to promote early detection. I am proud to be part of a campaign in Maine called Buddy2buddy, and have appeared on TV for interviews and for ads promoting breast self exams. I feel like my life has change, in most ways for the better. I am an improved version of myself post cancer.

Words of encouragement...

A saying that got me through the worst of my hardest moments was:

“She stood in the storm, and when the wind did not blow her way, she adjusted her sails"Elizabeth Edwards

To women (and men) going through this I would offer two pieces of advice.....adjust your sails, navigate a course with your team, and sail through it.

And look yourself in the mirror every day and repeat "I am the strongest person I know"! We ALL have the warrior within us, and when faced with a challenge, we fight.

Blog: at irishcora.wordpress.com

VLOG: at Irishcora Fahy on YouTube

Instagram: irishcora

FB: Cora Fahy