Sky Farm

Greetings Sky Farmers and Nature Lovers, 

            I am honored for the opportunity to partner with you in a cooperative effort promoting better breast health during your annual open house.  Since my own diagnosis nearly 13 years ago, I have been raising money and awareness by telling my story.  Please let me share it with you. 

            At 31, I accidentally found a lump in my left breast.  Yes, accidentally.  Finding it was so insignificant that I don’t even remember if it was in the shower, putting on lotion or just scratching an itch.  I figured it would go away after my period, but it remained.  My primary doctor confirmed that something out of the ordinary was there and sent me for a mammogram.  I followed up with a breast surgeon who scheduled me for a biopsy the very next day.  I was surprised to find a pathologist in the room ready to read the slide immediately.  I thought that they were going through an awful lot of trouble for nothing.  You see, the facts I had about breast cancer were that women started going for mammograms at 40 and those that were diagnosed usually had a family history.  I was 31, with no family history, and thought I was in pretty good shape. 

About 5 minutes after the biopsy, I was walking down the hallway at Muhlenberg with my surgeon when this really scary feeling washed over me.  The hallway also seemed to get narrow and get really dark.  I think intuitively I realized what the surgeon was about to tell me and quickly asked if there was some place we could sit down.  I’m still not entirely sure, but I think we went into a broom closet.  There I sat on a bucket in total shock and disbelief as my surgeon told me I had breast cancer.   

Mentally, my treatment consisted of reaching out, learning my options and applying them quickly.  Physically, my treatment was surgery followed by 6 months of chemotherapy.  Emotionally, my treatment consisted of doing things I reserved for “some day”, like hang-gliding, winter camping and yes, even dog sledding in the remote woods of Maine.   

At some point over the course of the last few years, I decided to upgrade my breast cancer “survivor” status to that of breast cancer “thriver” status.  I like to hike and camp in the winter and fish and play softball during the summer.  In my spare time, I do fundraising walks such as the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer.  If you’re moved or even just mildly entertained by my story, grab an envelope and send in a few bucks.  It really does go to a good cause.  Click Here to donate online.

Thanks so much,

Sherri Lynn