My name is Teresa Solano I'm a personal trainer, mother of 2 beautiful daughters 15 & 9 years old, and wife to an amazing husband. In October of 2002 one month after I celebrated my 40th birthday I was diagnosed with breast cancer. My head reeled with the numbing news that I must have a mastectomy. On January 10th, 2003 I went through over 5 ½ hours of surgery to remove my left breast. This was the first of 3 reconstructive surgeries that occurred over the next 10 months. It took six weeks of recovery per surgery before I could do any kind of physical activity. My left arm was severely numb and tight from 2 drain tubes protruding under them which limited my range of motion for several weeks. For the first time in my life I felt weak and unable to do the simplest of movements without help. Getting out of bed, taking a shower and sitting up were some of my biggest challenges. As the painstaking weeks passed, I was faced with the harsh reality that I still couldn't't pick up my baby girl and hold her in my arms or give my 6 year old big long hugs because of my surgery sites (I had 5 incision sites in various areas of my body) which would throb and burn. It has taken me over 6 years to get my body back to feeling "normal" and strong again thanks to my family's encouragement and strong faith. I am now 47, cancer free and just completed my third Susan G. Komen Race for The Cure where I received a 2nd place survivorship medal and was recently awarded a 3rd place trophy in a NPC national qualifier figure competition. My motivation is helping others be healthy & strong!

Teresa Solano
Oviedo, FL