Spring Break
Pink Meet hits close to home
Second annual event to raise awareness of breast cancer means something special to Claire Pierce, whose mom is a survivor
Lindsay Schnell
Issue date: 2/2/07 Section: Sports
Bette underwent a biopsy almost immediately and found she would not have to do chemotherapy treatments. Instead, she did just one week of radiation therapy, though most patients do six.
"I was asked to be part of a study, so because of that, I only had to take one week of radiation," she said.
Now, Bette takes estrogen blockers on a daily basis. She is slated to keep up this routine for the next five years and doctors expect her to remain cancer-free.
"They did a test and found that estrogen feeds the tumor, so they put me on estrogen blockers, and boy did those things shoot me into menopause," Bette said with a laugh.
If anything, Bette says, her diagnosis has only reinforced her belief of getting yearly mammograms. Breast cancer doesn't run in the Pierce family, so it came as a surprise when the examiner detected a lump in her right breast.
"They say that something like 75 percent of women who get it don't have a history of it in their families," Bette explained. "And you don't absolutely die. In most women, it's treatable now."
While the Pierces didn't experience breast cancer prior to Bette's diagnosis, the disease had hit their family before. Claire's cousin had died from colon cancer at just 17 years old, and since then, Claire and her family have participated in the Relay for Life. Coincidently, the OSU gymnastics team runs in the Corvallis Relay for Life every year as well.
Claire, a beam and floor specialist for the Beavers, won't get to see her mom tonight at the OSU Pink Meet. Bette and Tim are based in Northern California and can't travel to Gill for the meet, but Claire will still have Bette on her mind, thinking the whole time about how this meet means something more than landing a perfect routine.
"It's huge," she said. "Your whole life you go, 'It won't happen to me. It won't happen to my family.'"
"But when it really happens in your family, it means a lot more. It's always a huge cause, but when it's more personal, it makes it even bigger."
Claire will get a chance to celebrate her mom's win over breast cancer with her family before the season is over. Next week, OSU will travel to Stanford, where the Cardinal will be hosting a Pink Meet of its own. Bette plans to be there. But there's just one problem - she doesn't have anything pink to wear.
Is a shopping trip in order then?
Bette, who can now say she's survived one of the most common killers of women, liked the idea.
"You know, I just might have to do that."
"I was asked to be part of a study, so because of that, I only had to take one week of radiation," she said.
Now, Bette takes estrogen blockers on a daily basis. She is slated to keep up this routine for the next five years and doctors expect her to remain cancer-free.
"They did a test and found that estrogen feeds the tumor, so they put me on estrogen blockers, and boy did those things shoot me into menopause," Bette said with a laugh.
If anything, Bette says, her diagnosis has only reinforced her belief of getting yearly mammograms. Breast cancer doesn't run in the Pierce family, so it came as a surprise when the examiner detected a lump in her right breast.
"They say that something like 75 percent of women who get it don't have a history of it in their families," Bette explained. "And you don't absolutely die. In most women, it's treatable now."
While the Pierces didn't experience breast cancer prior to Bette's diagnosis, the disease had hit their family before. Claire's cousin had died from colon cancer at just 17 years old, and since then, Claire and her family have participated in the Relay for Life. Coincidently, the OSU gymnastics team runs in the Corvallis Relay for Life every year as well.
Claire, a beam and floor specialist for the Beavers, won't get to see her mom tonight at the OSU Pink Meet. Bette and Tim are based in Northern California and can't travel to Gill for the meet, but Claire will still have Bette on her mind, thinking the whole time about how this meet means something more than landing a perfect routine.
"It's huge," she said. "Your whole life you go, 'It won't happen to me. It won't happen to my family.'"
"But when it really happens in your family, it means a lot more. It's always a huge cause, but when it's more personal, it makes it even bigger."
Claire will get a chance to celebrate her mom's win over breast cancer with her family before the season is over. Next week, OSU will travel to Stanford, where the Cardinal will be hosting a Pink Meet of its own. Bette plans to be there. But there's just one problem - she doesn't have anything pink to wear.
Is a shopping trip in order then?
Bette, who can now say she's survived one of the most common killers of women, liked the idea.
"You know, I just might have to do that."
Note: writers will not reply to comments.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Anti Aging Creams
posted 3/25/09 @ 10:02 AM PST
It's always nice to see cancer awareness events. Being a longtime lover of gymnastics, I'm especially pleased to read about the Pink Meet.
Stan.Bally
Programming Assignment
posted 8/20/09 @ 7:29 AM PST
"I had to leave the group because I started crying and got pretty emotional," Claire said. "I think it was the idea of the breast cancer that really scared me. (Continued…)
Post a Comment
Comments by registered users are approved by default.