Becoming a dragon boat cancer survivor started for me back in 1988. I knew I needed a baseline mammogram, but I was busy working and raising a special needs child, along with my husband Paul and two daughters. I made an appointment and said to myself on the way to work downtown, "I will go only if there is ample parking". Well, as it happened, a street parking place opened (a rarity) right front of MUSC. The next day I get a call that I needed to see a surgeon. After several surgeries, the doctor and I made a decision to be cautious. The doctor ordered check ups every 3 months and mammograms every 6 months. My family physician wanted me to have both breasts removed. Well, we made the right choice, as it was 11 years later before I got the call again that surgery was necessary with radiation and that chemo was a probability. I opted not to have chemo, but did six weeks or radiation. I was on my way to Honduras on a mission trip but able to finish my radiation one week before the trip. The reason I mention this is because I felt I had to be strong, I did not want any changes. Thinking I needed to do this by myself, I denied a friend to accompany me to my radiation therapy. I was not one for support groups. Then one day I saw an ad in the paper. I called Sterling Hannah at MUSC regarding the ad and learned a little about dragon boating and cancer survivors. She told me to come out and try it and now I am addicted to dragon boating and have since learned that it is okay to talk about cancer. In fact, the comradely from fellow paddlers/cancer survivors has been a great source of inspiration and comfort to me. Being on the water with my fellow paddlers brings into perspective that life does go on, and healing does take place. I thank God for my strength to be able to be a part of such a wonderful program.