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Addy de Vries

"Every class is different, some are better than others but I am there and doing my best... There is life after breast cancer!"

Why I think Yoga saved my life.

I had been doing Bikram Yoga for about a year and a half when, in January 2007, I noticed some pink on my white towel while doing cobra posture. I thought it odd since it must have come from my breast so  I went to see my doctor who sent me for a mammogram.  The results came back clear, there was nothing to see. But I noticed a hard ridge around my nipple and went back to my doctor who examined me again. I was sent to a surgeon for a biopsy to make sure there was nothing wrong.  Well there was something very wrong. When I went to the surgeon's office he told me that it was invasive carcinoma. You could have pushed me over with  a feather I was so shocked, this could not be happening to me!! I was healthy, I ate nothing but organic food lived a healthy life and was never tired, lots of energy.

However I had to face the facts and from then on it was nothing but tests. Chemo for 3 months, then a total mastectomy followed by more chemo and radiation which took about a year.  I started to recover in January 2008, my hair grew back and my energy came slowly back. I was trying to go back to Yoga which I did but I could not keep it up.  I waited about another 6 months before I tried again in March 2009, I have had to stop in between but am feeling stronger all the time. I have made myself a promise to go at least 4 to 5 times a week.  Every class is different, some are better than others but I am there and doing my best.

Was I ever glad I had a white towel that fateful day. There is life after breast cancer and yes you can go back to Bikram's Yoga!  I hope this will be inspirational to others.