BY THE SURVIVORS CLUB STAFF

December 22, 2010 When she was 25, Meredith Israel found her first lump through a self breast exam. Two biopsies found that both were benign, and so when the lump began to grow a year later, doctors performed a lumpectomy and told Israel she should come back at age 40. It was advice she would not follow. Israel said, “In December of 2008 I requested a mammogram after watching Christina Applegate on Oprah. My doctor told me that [because] I was 35 and there was no need.” But she insisted. During her mammogram, doctors found two lumps in her right breast. “They told me they were nothing and they would recheck them in six months,” Israel told The Survivors Club. “I should have pushed the issue and insisted on a biopsy, but what did I know?” By June 2009, her health took a turn for the worse. “I felt a large mass under my armpit and was in a lot of pain.” But again, doctors dismissed her concerns. “The next day was my follow up mammogram, and then they knew something was wrong.” Israel was told the mass looked “suspicious” and on June 16th, doctors diagnosed her with Stage 2 breast cancer. One day after her 36th birthday, June 26, 2009, she “received a fax which would change life forever.” Israel was told she had Stage 4 Breast Cancer (BRCA 2), and it had spread across her body. She thought of her 20-month-old daughter, Niomi, “and I thought life was over,” she told The Survivors Club. “There was no need for a mastectomy as it spread so quickly and I would never go into remission.” “Stage 4 = DEAD when you don’t know the facts,” Israel said. “We immediately went to NYC and met with Memorial Sloan Kettering. My doctor told me they would have me live as long as I can and as comfortably as I can. This was the worst day of all of our lives.” Since being diagnosed 18 months ago, Israel has been on seven different protocols and chemotherapy treatments. “I just started on a new PARP trial at UPENN. I won’t know anything until my first scans in February, but I am keeping my chin up,” she says. Israel is not only keeping her chin up, she has been keeping her spirits up, and not missing a beat of her life. She and her partner Gary are planning a wedding in May. They just bought their daughter Niomi, now 3, a puppy named Gwennie. She also shares her stories on her blog, Meredith’s Next Chapter. In 18 months, Israel has raised over $100K for various breast cancer charities, and has spoken publicly about early detection and the BRACA gene. “I have been told that I have saved three women’s lives thus far with tons of friends getting mammograms before 40 and to continue self examinations.” Israel’s hometown has an ongoing charity, Miles4Meredith to help her with the mounting medical costs of her treatment. She personally works with with BCRF, EIF and Max Cure Foundation which is for pediatric cancer. The Survivors Club asked Meredith a few questions about her fight against cancer, which has inspired so many who are dealing with the disease or have a loved one who is battling cancer. Your story of courage and selflessness has inspired so many. What does being a survivor mean to you? The word “survivor” has been a bit hard for me to swallow. To me a survivor is someone who has beaten it so I think more of myself as a warrior. I know I am a survivor as I am still here and most of all, I am fighting it! I have my bad days but everyday I am here, I am a survivor. I am being brave and as tough as some days are, we are survivors and we are here to support each other. Sharing your story has become part of your journey through fighting cancer. How does blogging and connecting with others help you in your fight? At first the blog was to update people so my family and I didn’t have to answer every question and every call. We shut down. But as time has gone on the blog has become my outlet. It is my way of telling people how I feel. If I am angry, sad, and happy; it all goes into the blog. I can let it out. I know some people have a hard time reading it, but besides my breast cancer support therapist, this is my place to say it out loud. I keep private stuff between the family, but writing has helped me through life and in this fight, writing is cathartic. I do always try to find something happy to blog at the end. Even during the sad blogs, as tough as it gets, there was something good that happened that day. Whether it’s my daughter laughing or something funny happening, I feel that by writing one thing happy makes them realize that I will get out of my slump and find a way to get back on my feet! I love that I also don’t know who reads the blog but my main message is for early detection and to fight. Don’t give up no matter how hard it gets. Do you have any advice for how to best support a loved one who is fighting cancer or who is a cancer survivor? For a loved one- just be there for them. Don’t smother them and don’t look at us with a sad face. We hate that! I hate when people look at me with the saddest look. I am still here and even bald or with hair, I’m here. Don’t look at me like I am dead. Just love us and try to keep things as normal as possible. Some days are harder than others, especially when the treatments are kicking our butt, but try to live as much as possible. It never goes away and it’s always lingering, but do whatever you can to make us feel like me are here and not going anywhere. You don’t have to talk about it all the time and keep going. Normalcy is great! For other survivors-I call it a game. It goes up, it goes down but don’t give up. I think we will know when the game is over, but until then, live for every moment. Cherish everything and do all the things you have always dreamed about! We are sisters and brothers and no one but a cancer patient knows what we are going through but us. Knowing that you are not alone and we will all stand by each other and fight as hard as we can. I call my girls my soul sisters. Your attitude and positivity is so inspiring, and has brought strength to so many others. Can you speak a bit about where you draw your own strength? I have no idea where it came from. The minute I found out or thought it was breast cancer, something clicked inside of me and I kept saying NO. NO, NO, NO! I can’t lose this battle as I have a baby girl and this isn’t fair. I cry and yell sometimes in the shower, but I can’t lose. I beat a growth disorder called Turner’s Mosaic Syndrome growing up, I beat depression and anxiety, but worst of all severe post partum. I lost two months with Niomi mentally due to the post partum and when I got through that I always said nothing would beat me again. Then this happened. I had no idea what to think but I made a promise to myself not to lose and I’ve held that close to my heart. This is a much harder battle that post partum, but I need to be here for Niomi so I’ve stayed positive. At the same time, I am very realistic. I think that helps me as I know deep down when I will be ready to lay the cards on the table and say enough. But to me, it needs to be my call. The cancer may win in the end, but I want it on my terms and will I keep fighting till I feel its time to throw the towel in the ring. The conversations with my family are horrible, but I also know what’s happening so will live every moment until its time. What is the biggest life lesson you’ve learned through your experiences? Don’t sweat the small stuff. I did that my entire life and what a waste! Fine we need drama in life to live, but when it’s over and you look back, was it worth yelling or crying about? I now live for every moment, every minute. I always loved the ocean, but now I see calmness and peace. I take in the smell of the fresh air more, I laugh more and I don’t stress about the things I use to. I live day by day and even though I still don’t know why I was given the cards I was dealt, my biggest wish is that my daughter will be proud of me. She can tell everyone what a warrior I was and that I fought for her. She’s my miracle, she’s my angel and everything I do– is all for Niomi!