In 2019, Sherrylyn was 41 years old, her career was at an all-time high, and she and her partner were ready to expand their family. Eager to enter this new chapter of her life, she met with a fertility doctor who advised her to get testing done, including a mammogram. Thinking this was just another routine measure, one mammogram turned into another mammogram which led to a few ultrasounds, and eventually a mammogram biopsy. This resulted in Sherrylyn’s initial diagnosis of ADH deficiency, a hormone that regulates water balance in your body, with associated calcifications on her right breast. Her oncologist suggested an excisional biopsy, but with the holidays quickly approaching, she figured that ADH was nothing to get too worried about and scheduled the outpatient procedure for late January 2020. In the meantime, Sherrylyn’s doctor ordered an MRI for the excisional biopsy, ultimately revealing another growth on her right breast. What she originally thought was non-urgent turned into a diagnosis of stage 0 breast cancer with associated calcifications and ductal carcinoma in situ.  

With this new diagnosis, Sherrylyn’s January 2020 surgery for ADH was canceled, and she was instead scheduled to consult a geneticist for genetic testing and a plastic surgeon for reconstruction. The genetic testing was negative for the BRCA gene which frustrated Sherrylyn as she thought it would be easier to decide on a bilateral mastectomy if she had the BRCA gene. With the help of her oncologist, plastic surgeon, and the support from her family Sherrylyn decided on a bilateral mastectomy for peace of mind, and reconstruction to make her feel whole again. With efficiency in mind, Sherrylyn and her oncologist agreed to schedule the surgery for April 2020 before a 10-day vacation with her partner to ensure ample time off for rest and recovery. Though her doctor agreed on her chosen date for the procedure, they insisted she not wait any longer than that. They scheduled her April surgery consisting of a biopsy and lumpectomy on her right breast followed by radiation and an antihormonal endocrine treatment versus a bilateral mastectomy.  

We all know what happened in April 2020, as states shut down due to COVID-19. Sherrylyn was assured that her surgery would be performed as scheduled since it was essential, but she didn’t receive any other face-to-face time with her surgeons until the day of procedure. To make matters more complicated, her major surgery would now have to be outpatient to lessen any possible COVID-19 exposure in the hospital while recovering. She felt helpless, secluded, changed and unsure if she had made the right decisions. Some doubts would occasionally arise such as if any of her life choices would have prevented this or if she should have changed her priorities. Throughout recovery, Sherrylyn gained weight and was swollen for quite some time. To combat this, her surgeon suggested that she take more walks to heal faster and lessen swelling. With lockdown measures in full swing, she began walking around the neighborhood one block at a time until she found herself clocking three miles. She would spend this time discovering podcasts, listening to music, and searching for a community of breast cancer survivors. She eventually stumbled upon the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® and decided to commit as a 1-Day Walker in the 2021 San Diego 3-Day. 

With her avid walking schedule, Sherrylyn felt prepared and secure that even if she couldn’t do the full 20 miles in one day, she would still make a difference with fundraising and advance her physical progress. At her first Komen 3-Day, she lost one big toenail because of the hills and wrong shoe choice, but she felt revived. This encouraged her to walk all three days in Chicago 2022, but after the second day, she had many blisters and changed some practices along the route for Day 3. So, when a 2-Day Walker option was offered for the 2023 Denver 3-Day, she didn’t think twice. It was the city where her best friends live and since she works on the weekends, it was much more convenient to get two days off instead of three. With three 3-Days under her belt as a 1-Day, 2-Day and 3-Day Walker, Sherrylyn advises everyone to keep walking no matter how long or short each walk is. Know your body and listen to every ache and pain; it is not giving up if you must take a break or ask for help or a ride. As far as fundraising, don’t be shy to just ask people and share why it is important for you. Her favorite way to fundraise is to give people a card with a QR code to her fundraising account and to consistently remember why we raise this money. “Breast cancer has affected many like me. But unlike me not all of them have the financial means, resources or support to beat the disease. I also believe our donations fund organizations that lead change in government policies that affect healthcare and insurance” she shared. 

Each year has been a vastly different experience for Sherrylyn. In San Diego, she had a tremendous amount of fun since every street was full of support and her whole family and best friend’s family were there to meet her at the finish line. Chicago was special because of the walk along the lake, seeing Frank Gehry homes, having a walker stalker from her high school in the Philippines, and a couple of friends flew in as well. In Denver, she enjoyed walking through the beautiful neighborhoods and was supported by two of her friends from California who met with two Denver-based friends. Though each event is a different experience, it is the feelings of accomplishment and purpose that bring her back time and time again. It is a time for her to cry, laugh out loud, and reflect on the trials that she has faced brought on by breast cancer. Sherrylyn defines the Pink Bubble as “an aura of positivity from an unfortunate event that brought us together. The experience gives me space to reflect on the journey I’ve been on and the road ahead.” 

Sherrylyn looks forward to walking in the 2024 Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day with an official team, For the Love of ChiChi.