I don’t pull any punches and I won’t sugar-coat it. Having breast cancer was a very
annoying detour in my life. I went from feeling healthy, and being very active, to
existing in a constant state of uncertainty and physical recovery. Oh yeah, and I had to
think about death. Independence gave way to needing and learning to ask for and
accept help. Moments of profound isolation, sadness and loss would alternate and give
way to unbelievable gratitude for being alive – here to see another day; and
immeasurable humility for the love and support heaped on me by all manner of family,
friend and acquaintance.

  As I sit here in desperate need of updating my website, I have scanned some of my
previous sporadic journaling and feel okay about sharing this entry from June 6, 2009.
From a photo shoot arranged by my
dancers two weeks before my
surgery.
My daughter Maggie
indulged my new passion
for wigs.
I sailed through most of my chemo
okay -- but round 4 manifested a lot
of unpleasant side-effects. I
remember this being a particularly
rough day to get through physically.
Taping an instructional video at
the studio wearing my groovy
braids.
Many sister dancers
came together during
the duration of my
treatment to
choreograph and
prepare a number to be
performed at the Susan
G. Komen Race for the
Cure in Knoxville on
October 24. This was
the specific “carrot” that
kept me focused. (We
actually have it on
YouTube.) It was my
first time performing in
public since February.