This is a fund raiser for the Breast Cancer walk in front of the Philadelphia Art museum October 14th, 2007. It's in honor of Katie Brady (and anyone else who has had a similar crappy experience). We don't have a "target" or per/mile type donation thing, whatever you want to donate is appreciated, it means more to see names on the list than large dollar amounts. And since we never know where the money actually goes or how walking can cure cancer :), we figured we would raise and donate the funds ourselves, forget the middle man.

Thanks to everyone who's donated so far, either through this site or by sending us a check (if it clears of course...j/k). (In no particular order):

• Nicholas Z.
• Kazbek K.
• Dave S.
• Matthew L.
• Mike M.
• Konstantin M.
• Mark B.
• Michael Z.
  Katina P.
• Omar B.
• Joseph G.
• Iris K.
• James & Betty A.
• Jackie & Mike S.
• Barbara & Shel D.
• Carolee & Mark G.
• Crest Fuel Oil & Plumbing Co.
• Dynamic Automotive

Bio

At 24 years old I was diagnosed with "HER2 neu" estrogen positive breast cancer. The diagnosis meant that I had to have a radical mastectomy on my right breast because of the multiple, large tumors. Within 2 months I was on the cutting table. The next year involved a variety of things that should only happen when you get old. The first thing after the surgery was to have a my newly installed tissue expander (sounds like I'm putting a new stereo into my car but this wasn't an upgrade), which took the place of my boob, filled with saline every two weeks so my implant would fit. This was a very odd ordeal because I had a 34DD boob on the left and a very nearly A boob on the right. Next came the chemo. The first cocktail was every two weeks and took anywhere from 2-4 hours. Some of the side effects I experienced on AC were: chapped lips, mouth sores, metallic taste when I ate anything, weight gain, lose of appetite, bone aches, fatigue, hot flashes, hair loss (even my eyelashes), extremely dry skin and no period. With my second cocktail, I had to be at the hospital every week for blood work, a pregnancy test (even though I could assure them there was no chance), Herceptin and Taxel. Since the treatment could have collapsed my veins I need to have port put in, which meant another scar. I finished my chemo treatments on Valentine’s day but that didn’t stop the Herceptin, which continues to be injected every three weeks. Next step was to have my reconstructive surgery and a reduction to the other boob. I found out after surgery that I needed to have radiation because I was in a “gray” area for it being a definite yes or no. That were 25 treatments of slowly cooking my skin from the inside out. My armpit was burnt so bad that it started to puss and peel, which took about 2- 2 ½ weeks to heal. I thought the ordeal was finally over until my arm started to swell up. Unfortunately for me that meant I had to go through just about 6 weeks, three times a week of physical therapy because of Lymphedema. But I have some exciting news after this long and depressing story. I never stopped working during this ordeal and I have now successful completed the following: 2 surgeries, 2 cocktails of chemo, radiation, physical therapy, a port removal and planning a very beautiful wedding!!!

Kate and I at last years walk