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Elizabeth Yarnell
Harrisburg, PA

Elizabeth Yarnell lives in Harrisburg, where she works as a legislative research analyst for the PA House of Representatives. She was a participant in the 2006 Breast Cancer Leadership Training Seminar held in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition Annual Conference last October.

Her Diagnosis

On October 3, 2006, I was diagnosed with breast cancer . not a fun way to kick off Breast Cancer Awareness Month! I would have preferred attending a tea.

Cancer has been an unwelcome guest in my family, so this was not a complete shock. My family has inspired me along this journey, including my mother and brother who both faced cancer with class and humor. Four aunts have had breast cancer, and in addition to my brother and me, six of our cousins have had cancer. In my family, we eat dessert first!

I work as a legislative research analyst for the Health & Human Services Committee at the PA House of Representatives, doing behind the scenes support research. I assisted Representative Kenney and worked closely with PBCC President Pat Halpin-Murphy to develop the language for House Bill 1606, which provided for free mammograms for uninsured or underinsured women 40 and older. Governor Rendell signed the bill into law as the Pennsylvania Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Screening Act* in November 2005. For me personally, the day of that signing honored my mother, my brother and my aunts.

Ironically, my diagnosis came through a routine mammogram performed almost a year after that bill signing. That was the beginning of a frightening and overwhelming period. But it was also the beginning of an incredible journey of love. Words cannot express how much I appreciate the love and support I received from family, co-workers, and friends. It was the best medicine ever!

An Outlet for Inspiration

I've been a Middle Eastern dance instructor and performer since 1976. Three months after the mastectomy, I returned to dance and performed a folkloric dance with a water jug (okay, I cheated . it was a basket shaped like a bottle). Six months after diagnosis and 4 ½ months after surgery, I performed a cabaret dance at a major hafla (an Arabic dance party).

I've been greatly inspired by Jadaya, my primary belly dance instructor, who had a mastectomy over 30 years ago when she was a young dancer. When someone once commented on how well she could move her arms, she tapped herself on her forehead and said, "You're crippled up here." Her words inspired me throughout my life and especially during the past months.

Look Forward to Each Day

If my self-esteem was based solely on body image, I'd have been in big trouble years ago. Who we are is based on so much more than a body part . any body part. Christopher Reeve reached the pinnacle of manhood after his body became non-functional. His strength of character shone through, he influenced many people and accomplished much after his accident. When all is said and done, that's what really matters.

My advice to other women is to get rid of the frenzy in our lives. Only God knows what the future holds. Cancer may recur. It may not. But rather than dwell on it, I look forward to each day, live in the present, and treasure the people around me.

So, get fit, take care of yourself, get those screening mammograms, and keep on dancing!

*The PA Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Screening program provides breast and cervical cancer screening services for women 40 to 49 years of age whose income does not exceed 250% of poverty level and who have no health insurance coverage for screening mammograms, clinical breast exams, pap tests and pelvic examinations. For more information, or to see if you qualify, call HealthyWoman at 1-800-215-7494.