Finding a New Sense of “Normal” After Breast Cancer Benefits of a Positive Mindset and Warrior Attitude By: Laura Strykowski - CETI OncoVie™ Cancer Exercise Specialist, Personal Trainer and Health and Wellness Coach

Beginning of My Journey
In October 2022, I discovered a mass in my right breast. I immediately contacted my doctor and
was quickly scheduled for a mammogram and biopsy. As I lay on the table while the surgeon
conducted the biopsy, my mind raced a million miles a minute. I kept trying to focus, breathe,
and reassure myself that the mass would be benign. The following week, I received the call no
one ever wants to hear. I heard the words I never expected: "YOU HAVE CANCER."
I can still remember exactly where I was standing when the doctor called, the time of day, the
date, and even the day of the week. The rest, however, is a blur. In a state of hysteria, I called
my husband and broke the news. I asked for some time to compose myself before telling our
boys, who were 14 and 11 at the time. By morning, I started shifting my mindset. Was I
terrified? Absolutely. But I was determined to fight and beat this for myself and my family.
Two weeks later, I underwent a double mastectomy and reconstruction, with seven lymph
nodes removed—three of which were positive for cancer. After recovering from the DMX, I
immediately began four rounds of chemotherapy followed by 36 radiation sessions. Was I
done? Not yet. I needed a second round of reconstruction due to tissue damage from the
radiation, as well as the removal of my ovaries, since my cancer was hormone-positive. I also
started Anastrozole, which I would take for 5-10 years, along with twice-yearly bone density IV
infusions to maintain my bone density and reduce my chances of recurrence.

The Ups and Downs
After the DMX, my focus shifted to healing and getting back to normal activities as quickly as
possible—while, of course, following my doctors' orders and restrictions. I was determined to
minimize the impact my diagnosis and treatment had on my boys. It was ironic, given I was still
recovering from surgery and intense treatment, but I remained focused on maintaining as much
normalcy as I could.

Chemotherapy was the hardest part of the journey, with side effects that ranged from common
to unexpected. There were several ER visits and a lot of discomfort, but I didn’t let it stop me.
One of the side effects of chemotherapy, along with all the trauma my body went through, was
significant weight gain—35 pounds to be exact. For someone who had always been petite, this
was a lot. The weight gain was compounded by severe fluid retention and swelling in my legs
and feet, which at times required diuretics to help manage.

Chemotherapy Is Over—Woohoo!
The end of my chemotherapy treatment should have been a cause for celebration, and while I
was relieved, it didn’t feel like I expected. The social worker came in during my last chemo
session and warned me that many people struggle after finishing treatment. Our lives have
been consumed by doctors' appointments, medical procedures, and constant monitoring.
Although I had checked a few boxes, I still had a long road ahead.
I thought to myself, "Chemotherapy is finished. I’m golden. I’m not even nervous about
radiation." And then, reality set in. The doctor’s appointments didn’t stop—they just became
less frequent. I was still completely bald, still lacked energy, and still didn’t look like myself.
New medications and hormone changes due to menopause added to the challenge. And, of
course, the weight gain meant I couldn't fit into any of my clothes. After months of battling
anxiety and some depression, I realized it was time to change my mindset and focus on the
positives.

Positive Mindset
While there were still numerous appointments, and I was exhausted from radiation and the
ongoing healing process, it was time to start regaining a sense of "NORMAL."
As someone who was very active before my diagnosis—owning a boutique fitness studio,
coaching boxing, and being a personal trainer—starting from scratch was daunting. But I did it.
Even though walking on the treadmill for 15 minutes felt exhausting, I pushed myself. I started
weight training from ground zero. Did menopause make it harder to lose weight and get my desired figure back? Yes. Was I going to listen to everyone who said I couldn’t do it? No! Slowly but surely, I began to rebuild my strength, my endurance, and my energy. The weight didn’t come off as quickly as I hoped, but I
got there. Within a year, I was approaching my pre-cancer weight, and within a year and a half of my first surgery, I had returned to my pre-cancer weight with muscle tone restored. It wasn’t easy, but it was possible because I had the right mindset.

Hindsight Is 20/20
Looking back, one of my biggest learnings is that I wish I had done more research and
discovered CETI (Cancer Exercise Specialist) sooner. As a personal trainer and
gym owner, I wasn’t aware that there were experts who could help with both my training and
mindset, creating a program tailored to my pace. While I eventually achieved my goals, I regret
not having had a mentor to guide me through that process. When I discovered CETI, I was overjoyed to find a resource dedicated to helping women like myself—those who have faced cancer. And it’s not just for breast cancer survivors; it’s for anyone who has battled cancer. I researched the program and signed up to become a CETI OncoVie™ Cancer Exercise Specialist, the goal being to help others regain their confidence, energy, and a sense of "NORMALCY" with a supportive partner along the way. I see this as an opportunity to learn and to give back to others who have had to hear those words no one wants to hear: “You have cancer.”

To All the Warriors and Survivors Out There
Keep fighting. Keep pushing. And always reach out for support when you need it. It’s an uphill
battle that nobody should face alone, but the right mindset and a supportive network make a
world of difference.

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