[Mary Jo]

Hello,

I was an avid exerciser many, many years before breast cancer. As a matter of fact, cancer was one of the reasons I decided to improve my health about 14 years ago. I quit smoking - took up powerwalking/jogging and lost weight. I had a lumpectomy 14 years ago in the same breast and area I developed breast cancer in 2005. I was told after a first look see in pathology at that time that they "thought they saw cancer growing." It was then sent away and examined by others and I was told no, I did not have cancer but "atypical hyperplasia cells WHICH are something they see in women who can develop breast cancer." Anyway, long story short - I took up exercising, quit smoking, lost 30 pounds and developed breast cancer 14 years later. Go figure.

Although I did still develop breast cancer I STRONGLY believe in exercise as a way to better our health and as a way to make ourselves feel better. I did 8 cycles of dose dense chemo and exercised most everyday. There were some days I didn't have the energy but I'd say 75 percent of the time I did at least 2 miles a day. I believe, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that exericse is what kept me "healthy" throughout chemo. I really do. I believe that my overall good health got me through it all pretty much unscathed.

So.............exercise - eat well - keep your weight down and stay positive. That's all we can control.

Hugs -

Mary Jo