Why I am Making Strides

I am walking to show Breast cancer doesn't mean you need to slow down or stop doing active things. I run, I box, I walk, I lift weights. Come walk with me!

Hi, I’m Jeannine, from Danvers, and at the end of 2016 I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer.

After a year (2016) of doing the most road races (paid) (I did 36 road races ranging from 5k-7 miles) for my challenge, In December 2016 I had a double mastectomy and in 2017 had 16 weeks of chemo and 28 days of radiation. I’ve had 9 surgeries in total, and may still need another. Plastic surgery left me with limited mobility in the muscle in my chest connected to my armpit and a lot of scar tissue. I could not lift my arm totally over my head, do a pushup, pull-up, or touch my arm to my back as I could before. I also lost some feeling in my chest and under my arms, both sides. It was unknown if I would get that back, ever.   I gained the weight, lost my hair, but continued with normal life, and lots of running. In 16 weeks of chemo I did 16 5k’s and a 5 miler, and during radiation a 10k. It only slowed me down, it never stopped me from doing most things.

I was never sick, and stayed active throughout, however, chemo made me gain about 35 lbs. This is from the chemo itself and the steroids. During the whole treatment I was still running alot and boxing when I could, but weight gain was out of my control.  So if you see me running around town, be sure to yell out!

My greatest victory thus far is push-ups and pull-ups. I definitely cried the day I did full pushups.  Since having breast cancer, I’ve continued running with my running club, Emerald Running Club, lifting weights, Spartan races, Crossfit and kickboxing. These things have made a huge positive impact on my body, and the support I’ve gotten over the last few years, can’t be put into words. In 2019 I completed the local road race series, which consisted of a 5k, 4 miler, 5 miler, 10k, 7 miler, and a 10 miler. After 2023 I had a few hiatus' due to skin cancer removals. This year I am trying to control my weight and get my running back on track. 

The American Cancer Society helps with all types of cancer.  This summer I have my 6th skin cancer diagnosis and the worst one by far. So I will definitely be utilizing their knowledge base, and support when needed.

Helping the American Cancer Society is a no brainer for me. They have a 24-hour hotline for anyone whether you’re a survivor or a caretaker, or a friend struggling with how to help. They have an online shop, and frankly, was the only place in the USA that could find me a prothesis, which I wore for a year, and now wear a partial.  In just this year alone, 313,000 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed!  This is staggering. Let that sink in! 313,000. This is up 94,000 from last year.  Each year I bring my team, and walk to support them. There are more than 4 million breast cancer survivors in the US.

I do whatever I can to help, and show support. I’ve been on the commercials for the Making Strides of Boston, I’ve been on Asian Focus, part of Channel 7 news, I’ve been on Spartan TV, the kickoff video for 2019 & 2021 Making Strides, I gave the speech at the kickoff event in 2019 for the walk, I’ve been featured as a “Bright Spot” for Treehouse School of Fitness, I’ve been featured in the July 2019 issue of Women Fitness Magazine,  the 2020 Salem News/ Danvers Magazine. In 2023 I was featured as a runner for the Boston 10k for women.

I might not be the strongest in the gym, or the fastest runner, but I’ll never back down, and I’ll always push to improve and do better every day. I’d like to think I’m an example to anyone struggling with ANYTHING, that you CAN do it, I know because I did. And, always, keep fighting.