My Fairy Tale Romance

SJF seeking SJM for a long-term relationship. Must be smart (at least one graduate degree), funny (according to my definition of funny), and capable of dealing with a woman who brings a bit of emotional and physical baggage.

Lee Schwartz came into my life at the worst possible time. He was cute, Jewish, single, smart and sweet. He was one of those great guys that came along once in a lifetime, and I almost let him walk out of my life.

I was 27 when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. At the time of my diagnosis, I was busy with my career, flying around the United States consulting for medical schools. I couldn't have imagined that one morning, I would wake up with a lump and a few weeks later, I would be making a decision of whether or not to keep my breast.

An OB/GYN found the lump as I was following up on an abnormal pap smear. Though the pap smear turned out to be "nothing," the lump was not quite as benign. I was diagnosed via frozen section on February 27, 1997. My diagnosis, confirmed a week later, was Stage I, Invasive and Aggressive Intraductal Carcinoma of the breast.

Though I attempted a lumpectomy, I failed to get clear margins. So, on April fools day, I had my first mastectomy. This was followed by six months of CMF chemotherapy and reconstruction. Through nausea, missing hair, dark circles, white skin, and a variety of other lovely side effects, I lived and survived. I become comfortable enough with my new breast to choose a prophylactic mastectomy a few years later.

Lee and I met in my fourth month of chemotherapy. Who would have known that this wonderful person would become my friend and then, my fiance. We married in 1999, and went on to have two beautiful girls, Rena and Kayla and a handsome boy, Alex. Today, I look down at my engagement and wedding rings and smile. With these rings, and the promises that we made to each other, we have promised to work together through both good times and bad.

Life continues to grow and develop almost eight years after my diagnosis. Mainly, I have a desire to continue making a difference in the lives of young women at risk for and surviving with breast cancer.