I was 25 years old, married with
3 small children (Ages 9, 7, 3) when I had my double mastectomy.
I had major complications and was in a coma
for 4 days. It took
5 surgeries in 1 year
all I was left with was 2 scarred mounds that had no feeling. When my
husband told me, I was a freak; not a woman. I was devastated and I knew he
meant it; because he wouldn't help in anyway. My 9 year old daughter took
care of me. I was an Aerobics and Fitness instructor so after the mastectomy
I was 100%.dependent on him because I couldn't work.
Once I was
able to work 30 hours a week I moved out and took the kids. Being on my own
with 3 small children was tougher than I thought. After a few months,
I started thinking my X-husband was right. No man would want to have a
relationship with me. (No one wants a disfigured women with 3 small children.)
I
gained 30lbs not being to able
to exercise for a few months and I felt
like a damaged Pillsbury Dough-boy.
I was overcome with the thought of suicide and started thinking the kids
would be better off with their father.
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"Survivor-mode" kicked in. I couldn't I leave my children. I wasn't a quitter, just the opposite. I broke all
records for physical fitness testing and I was a full time fitness
instructor. I'd been intrigued by female bodybuilders because my now,
X-husband used to be really into bodybuilding.
I picked up a
Muscle and Fitness
magazine and thought, I can look that good. I could look better than they
did. I decided to become a bodybuilder. Much to my doctors amazement;
I began working out and was stronger than they thought possible. Four
months, later I entered my 1st body building show. I was shocked when I won
1st place in the light weight class and stunned when I won the overall title
Ms. Southern Arizona  |