The Power Behind The Dragon
My name is Frances Arzú and I have always believed in exercise. In December 2003, I was diagnosed with Stage IIB breast cancer, which was followed by chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. One thing I am not is a woman who accepts the word “never” or “can’t.”
Those who have been diagnosed and treated for breast cancer are told that may never regain their full range of motion due to surgery and radiation. A lot of survivors were afraid to exercise for fear of lymphedema. (Lymphedema occurs when the lymph system is damaged or blocked. Fluid builds up in soft body tissues and causes swelling. It is a common problem that may be caused by cancer and cancer treatment. Lymphedema usually affects an arm or leg, but it can also affect other parts of the body. Lymphedema can cause long-term physical, psychological, and social problems for patients—http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/lymphedema/Patient/page1)
For me, that simply was not good enough. I began swimming using only the backstroke; at one point I was up to five backstroking miles per week in order to regain my full range of motion. I subsequently joined an exercise group spearheaded by a radiation oncologist, Dr. Ted Yang from Bayshore Hospital in Pasadena, TX, involving an all-breast-cancer-survivor Dragon boat team to coincide with a program that worked with the limitations of breast cancer survivors.
I had never seen or heard of a Dragon boat before, but after one practice on the water, I was hooked and am now the president and coach for Texas’ only all-breast cancer survivor team, Pink Phurree (pronounced “Fury”). Dragon boating presented the opportunity to get a full body workout without stressing any one part of the body. Pink Phurree’s mission is enabling the survivor to fully reclaim her life: mentally, physically, spiritually and emotionally. As such, we are completely “pinked” out. I meet so many survivors who want nothing to do with the color pink, but for me, it is so important to show the world that we are “alive and kicking.” Not only is our boat pink, all the accoutrements are pink. I love the reactions we get when we hit the road with our pink baby. Pink Phurree members have raced all over the U.S. and Canada, and in cities such as Florence, Italy and Jerusalem, Israel.
In October of 2014, Pink Phurree will represent Texas in the International Breast Cancer Paddling Commission Dragon boat race in Sarasota, Florida. This event will be an all BCS race. I can’t wait to paddle in a “sea of survivors.” It will be an amazing and exhilarating experience. As we begin fundraising, I anticipate that we will raise enough funds to bring a full team of 26 breast cancer survivors. At the end of the day though, I’m sure, I, along with all the survivors, will be inspired and galvanized by having the opportunity to participate in such an event, as we are more than surviving, we are THRIVING! There is always room for more survivors, Please check us out at www.pinkphurree.org
In 2011, I was diagnosed for the second time with metastatic breast cancer. I know most survivors breath a sign of relieve when they hit the 5-year mark (and I did the same), but I was diagnosed with “mets” eight years later. This time, I decided that I needed to do more for myself since I was not as shell shocked, as the first time around. So many people ask about my prognosis – my response is, “I’ll LIVE until I die.” I’ve decided that I really wanted to prove the power of exercise, literally. My twin, Charlene Arzú, talked me into hiring her personal trainer a few months earlier, so I decided that I would begin training for a fitness/body building competition. When I first mentioned it, I thought my trainers would laugh at me; instead, they jumped on board with both feet. They saw in me much more than I saw in myself.
In the last few months, I’ve watched my body evolve into the most amazing shape I’ve ever been in. Who knew this would be this much work? Although, I have a “locked” lung (essentially, I’m working with only one good lung), I have managed to be in the gym for a two-hour workout every weekday at 5 a.m. and 5 p.m., focusing on cardio and building muscle. Once, a month, I leave the gym after my morning workout, head home for a quick shower and head to MD Anderson for my treatment. I then head to work, before going back to the gym for my second daily workout. I have not yet decided which competition I will enter, but I WILL walk across that stage, as a Stage IV breast cancer survivor, in the best shape of my life. The truth is, every single time I walk out of the gym under my own power, I feel like I’m sticking it to cancer! If I can do this, then, literally, anybody can!
In June, I celebrated my 50th birthday, but the celebrations really began in January. When I was diagnosed with mets, the doctor said, “You have metastatic breast cancer and women with mets die!” The inference was to basically go home and wait to die. With that diagnosis in mind, I decided that I would celebrate on the 17th of every month for my entire 50th year -- with cake – the emphasis on cake, of course. So, every month, my friends and family indulge this whimsy and celebrate with me. We’ve done everything from a sushi party to Mardi Gras to Wii with the kiddos. What’s been most interesting is how the youngest have embraced this idea. Why? For the cake, of course, but not only that, they love the idea of a celebration – where did we lose that innocence and hope? I’m hoping that everyone will celebrate ALL of their moments, as tomorrow’s not promised to any of us. I have a few more celebrations to go and am not sure how exactly I will celebrate, but I’m pretty sure there’ll be cake and the Happy Birthday song!
For me, it is about showing breast cancer survivors that there is plenty of life left to enjoy after a cancer diagnosis. It is about showing survivors all they can do instead of all they cannot do. I want people to see in me strength and perseverance and a dogged determination to reclaim my life. I want them to see a woman who is living life and embracing each day. I try to take advantage of all the opportunities presented to me now.