So, as any of you who are friends with me on Facebook or Instagram know, this has been an amazing week of vacation for my family and me in the US and British Virgin Islands. And I’m sure many of you have also figured out it has allowed me to have a certain amount of detachment from my diagnosis and what lies ahead. This all couldn’t be as serious as the little bit of reading I’ve done online, could it? I still feel great, I can hike. I can run, I can swim. I can even save 78 year old Dottie from Southampton, who cramped and couldn’t handle the wind on her standup paddleboard. I pushed her and her board for a good 500 yards, an unplanned anaerobic addition to my second swim of the day. She was grateful and lovely, and I was happy to help. So really, how bad could this be? A mistake maybe?
I had my Team Coeur kit for 2017 with me and thought about wearing it, but felt that my “Heart and Courage” kit was appropriate for my last run before starting the attack on the unwelcome parasite who’s inhabiting space in my body.
Well, lets fast forward through the rest of the day and get to the airport the next afternoon. Our flight is delayed, we are sitting at a very crowded bar having a drink that I shouldn’t be having. My phone rings, I look and recognize the Memorial Sloan Kettering exchange so I answer. It’s a doctor who asks if I’d be part of a study of women with triple negative breast cancer. He begins to explain the difficulties in treating triple negative and how this will all be part of my pre surgical and surgical procedure. And I cut off the conversation and ask that he email me the information because I just can’t process it. And all of a sudden it hits me hard, in the middle of this crowded airport in the tropics, that I have cancer. And I have tests scheduled for tomorrow. And a surgery scheduled for Friday. And one way or the other, the course of my life has changed. And the course of treatment is going to suck. And even my surgery could become much more radical than planned at this moment.
How do I feel about possibly needing a double mastectomy? How do I feel about losing my hair? How do I feel about chemotheapy, filling my body with poison? Radiation? All I know about radiation is my mother had burns on her back from radiation. I know I don’t want to leave my husband, or my daughter, or the grandchildren I hope to have one day. I don’t have any answers, or any control over what’s to come.
But, just like Scarlet O’Hara, who I’ve identified with my whole life . . . tomorrow’s another day. And I just said to my husband, maybe I can set my sites on doing the Atlantic City Triathlon? Even if I’m dead last in the sprint, it’s a start on the road back. I’m hoping DelMo can find room for a last minute entry? I just need to get through what’s ahead.
moirahoran 
I worked at that hospital in the city at the breast cancer facility…you have the best of the best! I’m not sure of what you are diagnosed, but you have the inner resiliency and I have always admired your friendly and positive nature! This is going to be a journey…but shoot you’ve ran many Ironman races! ( Most can’t and have not). Healing music and positivity and a supportive environment is needed now. This SUCKS and doesn’t make sense, but you can do it one minute or ‘step’ at a time. God Bless 🦋
Thanks! I have invasive ductal carcinoma stage 1 and it’s triple negative. I should get the results of my genetic testing in the morning and hopefully it’s negative. Assuming it is, I have a lumpectomy scheduled on Friday and meet with the oncologist in April 27. Her specialty is triple negative.
My heart, love & prayers are with you Moira.
You have a tough challenge ahead, Moria… but I have no doubt that you will face it with the grit, insight, and courage you seem to face everything with. And, I have NO doubt that you will be put in the path of others who need your help, light, and kindness (as with the lady on the paddleboard you had to rescue!) along the way… as people will be put in yours. I don’t know why this has happened to you in the big “great plan” but I know you can face it. And, you won’t have to do it alone :). I’m thinking of you and praying for your speedy recovery and strength of spirit! Hang in there… you will get through to the other side and be all the stronger for it :)!! You will have bad days, but they are a necessary part of the journey. Let them come, honor them, and then do what I believe you do best – Persist and move forward! XO
my arms reach out to hug you all the way from NY, just ask and I’ll be there…we had races palnned for this year but can easily moved to next year….. you are a tough chick and will fight through this..if you can do Kona this doesn’t stand a chance..thinking of you!
DelMo would always make room for you and you would never, ever. E dead last if you were racing with me. Go gettem Moira!