I was diagnosed with HER2-positive invasive ductal carcinoma at 42, and after chemotherapy and radiation my body felt decades older than my actual age. There was a point when it was hard to walk and I needed to use a wheelchair for several weeks. I quickly learned it was going to be hard to feel safe in my body again, and how difficult it would be to get back to what I once was: strong.
Two years into my breast cancer survivorship, I’m still working every day to regain strength and confidence. I reduced my stress, changed my eating habits, prioritized sleep and began practicing Pilates and exercising several times a week. I did all the things that helped me feel like the future is in my control. Some days it felt like enough, other days my body whispered that I could do more. So earlier this year, I decided to push myself even further than I ever imagined. I signed up for my first Susan G. Komen 3-Day® in San Diego. In November, I walked nearly 60 miles over the course of three days — in the middle of a powerful rainstorm.
When I registered for the 3-Day, I was hesitant. As a very busy mom to three young kids, I wasn’t sure I could commit the time to walk 20 miles a day over three days, and I worried about meeting my fundraising minimum. But once I got started, I never looked back. It became my main goal for the year and I never lost focus.
To my surprise, it didn’t take long for my family and friends to start donating. I shared my breast cancer experience on social media when I was diagnosed in 2022, so my personal network knew what I had been through. They saw me at my lowest and followed me through every stage of treatment and into survivorship. I reached and exceeded my goal three months before the 3-Day, which allowed me to focus even more on training.
Knowing others believed in me made it impossible to ever give up. I trained whenever I could, and it quickly became a shared journey. I started my training walks six months before the San Diego 3-Day and remained consistent each week. I walked with my 72-year-old dad, who has been dedicated to fitness ever since I was a little girl. I walked with friends. When our sons were at football practice, we’d walk along the track. I walked through my neighborhood while my twin boys rode their bikes alongside me. Even though I registered as a solo walker without a designated team, the experience was anything but solo.
When the 3-Day finally arrived, I felt ready — until the forecast showed a rainstorm. I knew the 60-mile challenge was going to be even harder than I expected. And it was. The first day was relatively easy for me. The energy was high and the weather was beautiful. I was prepared for the rain. I had layers of clothes, and my backpack was packed with everything I could possibly need for rain. I met so many longtime survivors who walked with me for miles here and there. By the time I completed Day 1, it had only started to sprinkle. I felt so great after racking up my first 20 miles. I enjoyed a good dinner at Crown Point Shores Park, followed by the Celebration of Champions — where all the top teams and fundraisers were celebrated for their fundraising achievements.
Day 2 was a completely different experience. When I woke early that morning and got onto the shuttle to the route, it was dark, cold and wet. Walkers were dressed in rain gear from head to toe. I had two pink ponchos, layers, a beanie and plastic coverings over my shoes.
The rain was steady for hours. Walking through Ocean Beach was not fun at all. I tried so hard to avoid deep puddles until I had no choice. The streets were flooded. I powered through ankle-deep puddles, and slowly up Narragansett Hill. It was hard not to give up at that point. I was drenched and exhausted. But I kept reminding myself that I had been through harder days, and then I kept going.
At some point that day, the flooding prompted a portion of the route to be closed. I walked most of the day alone. The stormy weather wasn’t the best way to talk to people along the route. I got overcome with emotion from time to time: inspired, fatigued and overwhelmed. I cried a few times, then regrouped and kept going. I kept telling myself that I could do it, that I had to do it, that I wanted to do it.
The last section of Day 2 was brutal. The wind and rain were relentless along the bay. I remember clutching onto my poncho because it felt like it was going to get blown away. I was soaked. My tears mixed with rain drops as I clocked in my 16th mile for the second day.
Once I sat down in the shuttle to go back to the hotel, my body shut down. I could barely walk and needed help getting down the steps to exit the bus. I was starving, but not able to walk around to get food at the hotel. I called the front desk for help, and they were nice enough to have the restaurant deliver a pretzel and grilled cheese to my room. I took a hot shower, massaged my legs and feet, took some medicine and napped for three hours.
When I woke up, I went downstairs to the hotel ballroom. The 3-Day medical crew had set up inside and provided physical therapy. They worked on my calves and hip and treated the painful blisters on my toes. I was incredibly grateful.
On Day 3, I woke up feeling surprisingly strong and ready. Along the Mission Boardwalk, I took out my phone and recorded video of the beautiful weather. I also Facetimed my husband and my three kids at home. I wish they could have been on the route with me, especially because they were with me every step of my breast cancer journey. It was amazing to share a little piece of the 3-Day with me on that call. As I walked, I reflected and listened to pieces of conversations happening around me. There were stories of loss, survival and thriving decades after diagnosis. It was heavy and beautiful all at once.
As I crossed the bridge toward the final mile back to Crown Point Shores, a stunning double rainbow appeared over the bay. I couldn’t help but smile. It felt like a symbol of hope after hardship, much like my own journey with breast cancer.
Crossing the Finish Line brought overwhelming relief and gratitude. I thanked my body for carrying me through. During the Closing Ceremony, I walked into the tent hand-in-hand with another survivor I had met along the route, standing shoulder to shoulder with other survivors as the 3-Day community applauded.
When I exited the tent, my parents were there. They drove up that day from Los Angeles to surprise me. Their warm hug was exactly what I needed.
Those three days in San Diego were tough, and I am processing a lot of it. The experience was truly life-changing for me, and I can’t wait to do it again. Since then, a lot of people have asked me about the 3-Day. I invite them to join me for a walk so I can tell them all about it. I will always be grateful to the 3-Day for giving me a special place to reconnect with my body. The challenge taught me to trust my body again. It reminded me of where breast cancer took me and shone a light on how far I’ve come.
“The crown and sash — it’s a talking point. It gets people to come over and ask, ‘What are you here for?’” Jessica said with a smile. “Whenever I got those questions, I would tell them I was there volunteering for ShareForCures. I am hopeful my volunteer efforts resulted in people signing up for this important program.”
