Hi! My name is Tammie I am a breast cancer survivor for 6 years now. I was diagnosed in 1998 at the age of 36. I had a radical mestectomy but thankfully no chemo or radiation. I had reconstrutive surgery. It is a tramatic and difficult sickness and it takes a lot of mental as well as physical strength to overcome. Working out helped me through all the surgeries I was able to get up without help the same day of the surgeries because my legs were strong. After the doctor said I could return to my workouts I did. Which prepared me for the final reconstructive surgery. I recovered, and for 6 years I have worked out and worked at a physical job. On June 18 of 2004 my impant ruptured on the side I had the mestectomy. Of course my doctor was out of town for two weeks and I could"nt see him till July 16. We scheduled my surgery as soon as he could fit me in. I went to surgery August 3 2004. When I woke up the doctor informed me that the pocket of my implant had closed up. I had a tissue expander (something that stretches out your skin a little at a time) and a drain tube. Needless to say I was shocked and depressed and especially when I found out I could'nt work or work out at least 3 months. I had 3 surgeries in 5 months and I finally go back to work january 3. I did my first workout yesterday to Cathe and although I am sore it feels great. I didn't gain any weight but I did lose muscle. But with Cathe's help I know I will be in better condition the I was before. I here people at work say that don't eat healthy, Smoke, and don't work out" say, "oh you have to die of something" Well guess what sometimes you don't die, and lying around weak and depressed with no hope of getting better is I feel a living death. So Girls and guys get up and workout, eat healthy, because one day you to may face an illness and believe me being healthy at the onset has you already ahead of the game. Tammie
