Amy Jansen, Rider
6 year survivor.
Diagnosed: 2004. Age: 55.
I have decided to live now and to make my dreams come true
Done similiar rides in Australia and the USA
I am ECSTATIC and honored to be part of the " Journey of Hope 2009", as I combine my two passions in life, to spread breast cancer awareness and to ride my Harley Davidson motorcycle.
I am Amy Jansen and I am a breast cancer SURVIVOR! I am a biker chick and I love life! Breast Cancer is NOT the BEST thing that has happened to me, BUT it has brought out the best in me. I am grateful to have people praying for me, and for a wonderful supportive husband and children, excellent doctors, and friends, who have helped me in this journey. I was diagnosed with Lobular Carcinoma in December 2004. My surgery was a lumpectomy and auxiliary node dissection. This was followed by 3 months treatment and 5 years of estrogen blocker medication. When I think back to my early diagnosis, the emotions come back to me, but I realize we all have bumps down the road of life, and this was just one of mine.
Having had breast cancer has changed my life in other ways; it brought blessing in addition to the trials. I laugh more, and have more fun in my life. I have decided to live now and to make my dreams come true. I have learned that I am happier when I am happy. Sounds silly, but since this is the hand I was dealt, there is no point in stomping around grumpy and miserable. I am determined to enjoy my time on earth, as much as possible. I laugh often and appreciate life so much more today. I am kinder to myself and to others, and do not sweat the small stuff, as I did before Cancer. I truly know what is important and this brings me peace. Life is too precious to waste our time and energy on things that do not really matter.
I am passionate to educate women and to bring awareness of this horrible disease. Breast Cancer comes like a thief in the night to destroy - it asks no questions; rich, poor, young , old, skinny, fat, anyone could be affected, and if not found early it can and will destroy lives.
My husband has stood beside me through all of my treatment and doctors appointments. Thank you to him and to my children, sisters and my buddies, who are a very special part of my life. My family has been a source of great strength and courage to me. A positive outlook will certainly make the disease easier to bear, and will help you live life to the full in spite of cancer. Therefore, I live my life with gratitude and joy, and experience the blessings of life each day.
Even though we do not know how to prevent breast cancer, we DO know how to fight it. The good news is that breast cancer can be beaten. The worst part of the entire breast cancer ordeal for me was the fear of the unknown. Knowledge is our weapon, and in most cases, early detection is vital to survival. I hope that one day there will be a cure, but until then, self-examination and mammograms are our only defense against this BEAST!
MAKE A DONATION TO THIS RIDER
