#BraveLikeRebecca
Name: Rebecca Skoczylas
Age: 42
Diagnosis: Desmoid Tumor
Years of Survivorship: 7 years
Location: Michigan
Follow Rebecca on Instagram.
“I was always too scared to go for it. But now I am asking myself, ‘What do you have to lose?’ You never know. You don’t know what tomorrow is going to bring. You have one chance and for now, I will take advantage of my opportunities.”
Rebecca initially noticed a lump near her abdomen in April 2016, about 18 months after she had given birth to her third child. It became increasingly larger and more noticeable as it pressed on her ribs during workouts or when she engaged in any twisting movement. She was told not to worry about it by multiple people because the characteristics of the lump and CT scan results didn’t point to typical cancer attributes.
After a change in insurance brought her to a new doctor, she was diagnosed with a desmoid tumor on her abdominal wall. Desmoid tumors are extremely rare, but can affect women in their 30s who have experienced a c-section during birth. Rebecca learned that her tumor was non-metastasizing, but highly aggressive. After the tumor resection resulted in positive margins, she was monitored by an oncologist who specialized in desmoids. If she would have waited a few more months to find an answer, it could have been deadly.
Today, she looks back and remembers the anxiety of the entire process. She felt like she was dismissed in the beginning and now she encourages health advocacy especially for young women.
“Have faith in yourself. We know our bodies better than anyone else and we know when something is wrong better than anyone else. Google can be a scary place and just because you have something that hurts you, doesn’t mean that you’re going to die. But you still have to know yourself and if things persist and don't go away then find someone who will take you seriously. Also my other advice would be to always look for a second opinion.”
Just 7 years ago, Rebecca had surgery to remove the tumor and was told that she would not be able to run a marathon again. She was persistent and slowly began training again as running became a therapy of sorts for her recovery. She has finished five marathons since then and to this day she looks forward to getting out for a run and taking opportunities when they present themselves.
“Turns out cancer is not a simple word. My tumor was locally aggressive with a high recurrence rate but non metastasizing. I had it removed surgically and thankfully have remained tumor free since.”
Rebecca and her mom—a huge supporter and cheerleader throughout her life.
How has running or staying physically active affected your cancer journey?
“Running has helped me stay motivated. My first memory of waking up after my surgery was hearing my mother say that the doctors said I would not be able to run for a year and I would never run a marathon again. Just 15 months later, I ran a marathon and have run 4 more since then. I was very cautious and careful in my recovery but was not willing to let this experience derail me from ever running distance again.”
What advice do you have for people on staying fit throughout their cancer treatment or recovery?
“My advice is to find an activity that works for you throughout your cancer treatment and recovery. Whether it's yoga, spin, walking or running. The mental health benefits are immeasurable. In my case, the doctors were amazed at my recovery speed which we all believe was only because of my physical conditioning.”
“My relationship with running is so different now because I feel so grateful to be out there. It sounds cliché but I am so grateful to be alive.”
What is one of your proudest accomplishments since being diagnosed with cancer?
“One of my proudest running accomplishments is finishing the Chicago marathon just 52 seconds shy of my pre tumor PR. As a personal accomplishment, I am proud of my 20 year marriage and my three beautiful children.”
How has Gabe's story impacted you or changed the way you view life as a cancer patient/survivor?
“More than anything, Gabe’s story has impacted me to live in the moment. I have realized that we don't know what tomorrow will bring. I have learned to take advantage of opportunities that may come up because I may not be able to at a later date.”
An ice cream celebration after Rebecca’s 6-month clean scan results.
What does being #BraveLikeRebecca mean to you?
“Being #BraveLikeRebecca means not letting anyone else define me. Not believing in barriers, but instead believing that hard work, discipline and commitment can help me reach my goals. Also, not being afraid to speak my truth and take emotional risks. I don't want to have any regrets (in a healthy way).”
What are you most looking forward to in the near future?
“Running a half marathon with my son in July-his first! Also I am looking forward to a family vacation for a week during the summer.”
Is there anything else you'd like to ADD?
“I still struggle with not having the same body that I did pre-cancer. While I recognize all the positive aspects that have come out of it, there are still days that I wish I never had to go through that experience and that my body would be in better condition.”
Rebecca and her family moving her son into college at the University of Michigan.