From:

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Candice Patterson on VICTORY DAY view full size Monday, April 2 March Outspokin AOTM - Candice Patterson "Learn to embrace change and you will see that life is in constant motion. When you see boundaries as opportunities, the world becomes a limitless place and your life is a journey of challenge in which you are capable." These were the words that I lived by in 2006 as I attempted to create a plan to help me cope with my life being catapulted into great change and uncertainty. Although I was born with Neurofibromatosis causing craniofacial deformities and had lived with the disease my entire life, I was not prepared for the journey that it was about to take me on. Neurofibromatosis or NF causes tumors to grow anywhere on the body that there are nerve endings. There is no known cause and the only treatment is surgery for tumor removal. Half of NF children have learning disabilities, some become blind, deaf and experience paralysis from tumor growth. I had 17 surgeries during my childhood and young adult life when I decided to take a break and my tumors sat dormant. In 2005 I completed a life long dream of finishing a triathlon. Four months later I was told that my tumors had returned threatening the loss of my right eye, damage to my sinuses, the structure of my face, and two tumors also sat on the temporal lobes of my brain. My surgeon explained to me that a series of three surgeries was necessary to remove these tumors, reconstruct my face and make an attempt to save my eye. The tumors in my brain are inoperable and currently pose no threat. My entire life as I knew it was about to change. I prepared for a year of surgery, recovery and surgery again like I did the triathlon. With this plan I practiced yoga, good nutrition, a strict vitamin regiment, walking, biking, swimming and meditation to get through what was now going to be the biggest triathlon of my life. We named it the Butterfly Challenge. My friends and family referred to it as a race and not a series of operations. This stragedy was the only way for me to survive this process on every level. And somehow, myself and my support staff managed to participate in 5k's and an Iron Girl Triathlon in between hospital stays. During this process I was blind, disoriented, and in pain that I didn't think was possible to recover from. But I made it through sometimes using the bed as my finish line after completing a simple lap around the nurses station. I set daily goals from walking, washing my hair, to maintaining a positive attitude. Everyday I began the day with he goals, and everyday I strived to hold onto my spirit and hoped that I would be triumphant. It has been 3 months since my latest surgery and I have begun training again for the triathlon season. Butterfly Challenge is now a non-profit organization lending it's information and inspiration to other people effected by NF. It's my goal to continue this journey to be an advocate for patients and families. It is my goal to raise awareness and funding through participation in triathlons and other sporting events. It is my goal to live a healthy life with style and accept this journey wherever the road takes me. There is no certainty for me in regards to how NF will affect my life in the future. There is great certainty that my life will be in constant motion, constantly changing and I will continue to adapt and flourish. My spirit is intact and will continue to grow.     Come cheer on Team Butterfly Challenge as we complete in the Madeira Beach Mad Dog Triathlon on May 20th to benefit the Challenged Athletes Foundation. For more information about Neurofibromatosis or Butterfly Challenge, please visit www.butterflychallenge.com.