For my 45th birthday I decided as a gift to myself I was gonna focus on me and focus on being healthy and even maybe getting off my butt. Well stop one was my Gyn who slapped my wrist for going 13 months since my mammo. I am good about my mammo, had a fibroid yrs ago. Well one week later October 21, 2010. I was in the medical center getting the biopsy results due to the mammo findings. Within one hr my husband and I were in a surgeons office. I was diagnosed with invasive ducktal carcinoma and Insitu. Two weeks later I had a mastectomy. I woke up with unclear margins and no more tissue to remove. When I found out I didn't need chemo I thought i was lucky....Cancer was like being dropped into a country where you don't understand the language. I figured a little radiation and I'd start back on my goal. My journey was long, and difficult. I came to realize that the cancer diagnosis, in my case, would be the easiest part of my journey. I suffered MANY side effects and the need for several surgeries. I was finally cancer free in June of 2012. On February 13,2014 I HAD MY LAST SURGERY. 9 and done. I'd be lieing if I said any of this has been easy. I have tried to remain positive and I have learned soo many wonderful lessons..... Team K-Tots was born, I am driven to raise awareness of early detection and fighting this horrible disease. I have learned that positive attitudes are the best medicine and most of all,Life is give and take. Let people help you when you need them. Leaning on friends and family is truly a sign of strength. And most of all, appreciate each and every moment of life. I am alive, I am CANCER FREE.......and, less than a week after my surgery I am in the gym......a 5k in May......be well be strong and fight like every minute is worth it......

Kim Tarpey
Centereach, NY