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Hi! I’m Kathleen. I’m a 70 year old
cancer survivor! First diagnosed in 2019. During treatment I had a horrible reaction to the drugs, ended up having a seizure, life
flight to hospital, in hospital for 3 weeks. Then had 30 rounds of radiation and then
went into remission for 2 years. It came
back and I went back into treatment and
1 1/2 years ago, I was stable and haven’t
had treatment since. I have a rescue dog
named Como; I like to read a lot and paint and I do jigsaw puzzles!Hi I’m Susan T
I’m a breast cancer survivor, diagnosed in 2013. After completing 6 months of chemo, I had a bilateral mastectomy with additional surgeries every 3-4 yrs. I love to do crafting, watch Hallmark movies and also do jigsaw puzzles on my tab!stHi, I’m Sherie H-K. I’m a little past 2-year anal cancer survivor. I was hospitalized 3 times during and post treatment after 30-days of radiation and chemo infusions at the beginning and end. The third hospitalization was over a month long with severe chemo/radiation toxicity. I had my portacath removal this past July. I’m so blessed to be connected to cancer bridges and cherish all the support and education! So happy to be a part of Happy Feet for my 2nd time. Ty
Hello everyone! I’m Tony, a caregiver for my husband (Ryan) who was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer in January. He’s also in this group and will introduce himself at some point. We live in the South Hills of Pittsburgh with our 3yo Golden Retriever and 3yo Maine Coon. We are both originally from Pittsburgh. We love to travel, go camping, read, play music (we met in marching band and still play with a local community band), hike, and do yoga. My hope in joining Happy Feet with him would be to help see how all of the focus areas (especially movement) are part of treatment and our overall well-being. So very happy to be part of this group during this journey.
Hello,everyone! My name is Debbie Ciak, 75, and I live in Greensburg with husband Jack (55 years, but 35 years in CT!) and have participated in HF many times, but always learn something new from the speakers and the HF participants, so very glad to be here again. Breast cancer diagnosis in January, 2023 with mastectomy and radiation, as also in a lymph node, so lymphedema, too. Drug pneumonitis and ILD from 2 months on Verzenio.
I also participate in SurvivingBreastCancer.org and they are starting a new program on 9/21, “Lymph Flow Yoga” on Mondays from 1-2pm, which some may be interested in (not just for breast cancer either). I will share the introductory recording from yesterday (9/14) when it becomes available, as it was really great.
We are all in this together!Hi, I’m Janet Marlatt. I’m 72 years old and live with my husband, Curt 49 years next week. We have 2, 27 lb rescues Copper and Jacob Black. I was Dx with StageIII Endometrial Cancer in 2015. I had a recurrence right away and radical surgery but I have been cancer free 10 years next month. I wish I could say it’s been smooth sailing since than but I have ups and downs with bowel obstructions, anemia and infections. I love Happy Feet and I include it with my favorite activities.
Hello everyone! I’m Ryan Minster. I’m 50 years old, and my husband and caregiver, Tony, recruited me to Happy Feet. We are both participating for the first time. We have a golden retriever and a Maine coon and live in the South Hills of Pittsburgh. I was diagnosed with a very rare and aggressive form of pancreatic neuroendocrine carcinoma in January 2026. I went through chemotherapy in the spring, and after new progression was detected at the end of July, I am now undergoing both immunotherapy and chemotherapy. The data say that the mean survival time for my type of cancer is ten months, and at about two months out from that “deadline,” I’m hopeful that I’ll live well past it and that Happy Feet will contribute to that.
I was an avid athlete in my thirties: running marathons, earning my fourth-degree black belt in jūdō, and getting a teacher’s certification in yoga. Covid disrupted all those activities, and now I find myself with a cancer diagnosis and experiencing none of the motivation that got me on a mat or out on the trail. It’s evaporated, and I’m looking forward to Happy Feet helping me rediscover it. (Though I doubt I’ll be running a marathon anytime soon.)
Hello, my name is Cathy Miles. I’m 60 years old and live with my husband Ron and our 27 y/o autistic daughter Rachel. We have a 9 year old lab/boxer mix named Chloe. We live in the North Hills. I was diagnosed in June 2025 with Stage IV Metastatic Breast Cancer with bone metastasis, de novo. I was in the hospital for 4 days with my initial dx because the docs weren’t sure what was causing my rib pain. In July 2025 I had 1 round of radiation on my ribs. I am currently on my 1st line of treatment which is Verzenio (CDK4/6) along with Anastrazole. My latest scans show no evidence of active disease and my tumor markers are back in the normal range. This is my first time doing Happy Feet, but I have done many classes thru Cancer Bridges. I do yoga and have worked with Janette for exercises. Cancer Bridges is a great organization and I have met many wonderful people. I’m really looking forward to this group.
Hi Debbie.thanks for the tip about the yoga class at surviving breast cancer. I took the class today. I don’t have breast cancer (I have lung cancer) but I had radiation on my chest and armpit so I thought it might help me too. And I enjoyed it!
Hello all, I am Virginia Howard, I am 61 years old, I was diagnosed with Stage 1, Triple Negative Breast Cancer in January 2023, during my routine mammogram checkup. Since Triple Negative Breast Cancer is a very aggressive breast cancer, I had to do 5 months of Chemotherapy, had a lumpectomy on my right breast and radiation treatment. I am currently 3 years cancer free; however, I still have some challenges with some neuropathy which has improved tremendously with attending Happy Feet sessions, I believe this is my 4th time attending. I am so grateful to Cancer Bridges for offering this great program and get to interact with others with similar issues.
Hi from 75 yr old Paula in Greensburg. Diagnosed in November 2023. Finished immunotherapy treatment in June after chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. I still have some side effects but am working to diminish them as much as possible. I watched all of Dr. Wiltke’s Season 1 on U tube. Wish I knew about these when I was going through treatment. Also watched interview with Dr. Katie Schmidtt PT Oncology discussing neuropathy and additional U tube videos demonstrating self massage for feet and hands. Worth watching!
Hello everyone, I am Patricia, 65 years old, and live in Connellsville with my husband of 45 years. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in my right breast in 2017. I had a lumpectomy and radiation treatments. Also had a little lymphedema. In 2023 I was diagnosed with radiation induced Angiosarcoma. (The radiation treatments I had in 2017 caused the rare case of Angiosarcoma.) I had chemo and immunotherapy, a complete mastectomy of that breast, and radiation treatments again. My CT scans have been clean since I finished all my treatments, however, in January the CT scans showed diverticulitis with a fistula to my bladder. (Not a cancer.) In March, I had a section of my colon removed and the fistula. My next CT scan is next week, so I am praying for another clean scan.
I have been participating in HF since the fall of 2023 and I look forward to each session. There is always something to learn. Cancer Bridges and HF really is a community that makes you feel welcome.
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