Anndee’s Story
For Anndee, movement has always been an important part of life.
Whether traveling, exercising, creating stained glass art, or exploring new experiences, she has always preferred to keep moving forward. That mindset became especially important during her cancer journey.
After being diagnosed with breast cancer ten years ago, Anndee underwent a lumpectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation. She thought she had put cancer behind her, but late last year the disease returned in three different locations.
Faced with difficult decisions once again, she chose to undergo a double mastectomy without reconstruction.
One of the greatest challenges throughout her journey was balancing treatment with the demands of everyday life while also recovering physically from surgery and radiation.
Fortunately, she never had to navigate those challenges alone.
The friendships she built through Be Well and North County Cancer Fitness became an important source of support and encouragement. While traditional support groups never felt like the right fit for her, she found connection through movement and shared experiences with others who understood what she was going through.
"Movement makes me feel better," she says. "And it's positive."
That philosophy has guided much of her recovery.
Following surgery, Anndee jokingly describes herself as feeling like a "T-Rex" after spending six weeks unable to fully move her arms. Through yoga and consistent practice, she gradually regained her strength and mobility.
Today, she credits Be Well with helping her return to full movement and providing a community where questions are welcomed, experiences are shared, and friendships extend beyond the yoga mat.
Cancer has also changed the way Anndee looks at life.
Like many survivors, recurrence remains in the back of her mind. But rather than allowing that uncertainty to limit her, it has inspired her to embrace life more fully.
"No more waiting," she says. "If life is finite, I want to enjoy all my dreams now."
For Anndee, survivorship isn't about being defined by cancer. It's about continuing forward, adapting when necessary, and making the most of every opportunity along the way.
As she puts it, survivorship is simply "another bump in the road."
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