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Sherry McMinn I would like to nominate my niece and Godchild, Sherry McMinn, for the 2009 Honorary Team New Balance Member for the Komen Acadiana Affiliate. Sherry is a four (4) year breast cancer survivor. Her breast cancer journey began when she was 39 years old in December, 2004. Through self-examination, she discovered a breast lump. She was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma, Stage 3. Doctors suggested that she have six months of chemotherapy prior to having mastectomy and six weeks of breast radiation following the surgery. At this time, the doctors also suspected that her lymph nodes were involved. Their suspicions were correct, so during the mastectomy surgery, the surgical team removed lymph nodes, too. Prior to her cancer discovery, Sherry was employed as a sales representative with a major company. During her chemo time, surgery and recovery period, she was not able to work. Making a relatively good recovery from her surgery, the doctors released Sherry to return to her job. Three months after she returned to work, she started experiencing vertigo. Medical diagnosis: the breast cancer had metastasized to her brain. Immediate surgery was recommended. Two days following Easter in April, 2006, Sherry underwent surgery to remove the brain tumor. It was recommended that she have five (5) weeks of whole brain radiation daily. Because of the brain tumor, Sherry diagnosis was changed to breast cancer, Stage 4 - treatable but not curable Doctors didn't think it was in Sherry's best interest for her to return to work and her company concurred. Sherry still receives intravenous herceptin immune therapy every three weeks to keep her cancer at bay. As you can imagine, two surgeries along with the chemotherapy and radiation in 2.5 years has been a very trying experience for her as well as our family. I believe that Sherry's positive attitude along with her excellent medical care has been the result of her health conditions today. I believe that Sherry is Acadiana's poster girl for breast cancer. She is a positive force and a walking textbook for those friends, friends of friends and strangers that have been diagnosed with cancer. She always has time for those that need support and help. She's lost her beautiful blonde hair two times now. After her first hair loss during chemo, her hair returned black and curly. During her brain radiation, she lost the black curly hair and knowing that it was possible her hair might never return, she now sports brown, straight tresses! Hair loss never played a part in her medical decisions and/or dilemmas. During both of these times, depending on the local weather conditions, you might find her sporting her baldness or if necessary wearing a hat. Hair or lack of it was not an important issue for Sherry. Today, Sherry remains a courageous breast cancer survivor. She spends much of her time volunteering in cancer related organizations. In these environments, she knows that she can make a difference in cancer. Sherry volunteers on a regular basis at the Miles Perret Cancer Services in Lafayette, LA. She is actively involved in the Games of Acadiana (all of the games throughout the year) program and with the Smiles for Miles programs (Back to School and the Christmas Giving Tree). She volunteers for the Susan G. Komen Acadiana Race for the Cure. She inputs the data entries for the race, and has been a race participant. In the past, Sherry has had a team for the local Race for the Cure. She has also participated in the Susan G. Komen Houston Race for the Cure. In addition, Sherry has been instrumental in the organizational founding of the Cajun Invasion Dragon Boat team in Lafayette. The Cajun Invasion Dragon Boat has been in existence for four (4) years. The mission of the Dragon Boat group is to provide a rowing exercise/experience for those breast cancer survivors to reduce edema possibilities. Sherry knows that God has a plan for her life. Because of this assurance, her strength and her faith, it is her mission in life to share her experiences with others. Because of all of the above, New Balance should be proud to have Sherry McMinn as an Honorary Team member, and I am delighted to nominate her for the upcoming Susan G. Komen Acadiana Race for the Cure New Balance Team. Respectfully, |
