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.
