My success story is a little different than the typical story. My journey with Cathe began 10 years ago after the birth of my second child. I would record her workouts from Fit TV, onto my VCR and do them while my kids napped. I was immediately and permanently hooked. Working out with Cathe helped get my body into great condition. I felt fantastic, ran marathons for fun, and people often commented on my great arms, or legs.
Fast forward to September of 2014; while lying in bed, I noticed a bump in my lower abdomen. I called my doctor’s office and they suggested an ultrasound. When the tech put the Doppler on me, the “mass” was so large that no one could tell where it was attached because we couldn’t see anything; the mass took up the entire space. After a couple of doctor visits, some blood tests, and CT scan and an MRI I was booked for surgery. According to the information we had, it appeared to be a benign growth which would be removed in surgery; however, should it be malignant we discussed what would happen, organs that would be removed, ect.
On October 27th I went into surgery and had removed a cancerous tumor the size of a football. I was 37 years old with absolutely no risk factors. Six weeks later, I started chemotherapy for treatment of
I had my last treatment in March of 2015, and had a great conversation with my oncologist. He said he was impressed that I was able to “fly” through this very intense treatment period without any complications. My body was able to tolerate the drugs, and the side effects amazingly well because of my level of fitness; due mostly to the amount of muscle my body had. I never had to have a treatment delayed, and while I felt terrible, my blood work and exams always came back great (considering I was in the middle of chemo).
If it had not been for my workouts centered around Cathe’s fun, hard, fantastic weight workouts, my body would not have had the muscle it needed to tolerate the drugs, and then rebuild itself when treatment was finished.
I have checkups every 3 months and so far, I’m still cancer free!!! I’m even more determined now to keep my body in top notch condition, not only because I look good and feel strong, but because being healthy allows my body to function more efficiently. I’ve always told my kids to “do hard things” because it’s good for you. Take the hard class in school, push yourself physically, and step outside your comfort zone. If you make the choice to do hard things; when you HAVE to do something hard you’ll know what you’re capable of. I choose to do Cathe’s workouts because their hard and they challenge me, and they show me what I’m capable of; not to mention her workouts are fun, and keep me in great shape. I know that Cathe’s workouts will help me to stay in good health; even as I age…..because I told my kids I plan on living to be 100, staying active the whole time.
If this isn’t profound motivation, I don’t what could be. So happy for you and your family Brandee!
Hello Crossfire! (and thank you Cathe!)
I know being fit has health benefits, but never realized about how the increased muscle would help with the intense chemo regime! So happy and inspired by your story and the outcome. Prayers for continued Good checkups and great health and a long, happy future ahead!
What a wonderful story! Thank you for sharing! You are such an inspiration!
Being strong helps you fight any battle like a warrior. You never know when the next battle will happen so always be prepared. So happy for you and your family. Continued great checkups in your future.
Thank you for sharing your great story =)
Brandee. Wow! You are an inspiration for sure! Not only in terms of fitness, but as a reminder to get our annual check ups as well. Sometimes we are so darn busy we forget to go to our doctors and only see them when we’re feeling sick.
You will live to 100 with that outlook. I really wish you and your family the best. Thank you for sharing your story. 🙂
Brandee makes a really great point here. I have been trying to explain this to my patients for years. Now I’m just going to print this out so they can read for themselves. Staying the correct weight, not smoking, and exercising everyday will make you superwoman!
Brandee, what an amazing story. All the more reason to workout while we are able to. Wishing you a long and healthy life. Thank you for sharing.
Brandee, thanks for sharing your story! I am also a cancer survivor & at teh time of my diagnosis, I was in the middle of Cathe’s STS program and in the best shape of my life. Like your experience, I also found that my years of exercise gave me the strength & stamina to get through my treatment and now a year and a half later I am back to STS and feeling stronger than ever!
I wish you continued health and wellness! Go girl!
Brandee, you are an inspiration and incredible fighter. So many of us take our health for granted, but you have it in yourself to train hard, yet keep it fun & challenging. One of the many reasons we train with Cathe, wouldn’t you say?! Stay strong, stay fit & stay beautiful & All the best to you!
Wow, you are a true Cathlete! What a beautiful story! You’re such an inspiration. Thank you for sharing your story!
Thank you Brandee for the inspiration!!! I am also recovering from ovarian cancer with my last chemo treatment being in June. You have motivated me to start my workouts again and move forward!! Many blessings to you, and stay strong!!! Thank you for sharing your story!!!
I am so humbled by your story. Thanks so much for sharing your experience. We tend to be drawn to working out and eating right initially for the outward benefits to the body and sometimes the immediate inward effects. But who knew of the potential long term benefits. Good for you, Brandee! You are such a shining light to your family and to all of us!
What a beautiful story and thank you for sharing it. Wishing you and your family all the best in this journey called life. Continue to be the inspiration that you are!
I was diagnosed with breast cancer in September 2016 and like Brandee, I had been working out with Cathe for over 10 years and was in great physical shape at the time of my diagnosis. Very little fat and a lot of muscle. After the mastectomy I had just 4 rounds of chemo. While undergoing chemo, I still worked out daily to Cathe because I felt strong enough to. My oncologist was amazed, she indicated if I had not been fit at my diagnosis, chemo would have been far more difficult. I am also a Christian and feel my faith also played a critical role in my sailing through chemo and coming out on the other side, cancer free.
I turned 50 years on February 2017 and I am cancer free. My body still looks great and I feel one of the best things to come out of cancer was the confirmation that my years of dedication to staying fit and healthy was not in vain and I thank God for Cathe and her ministry.