DAY 2 : CAROLINE HOSEIN
 My journey with breast cancer began in the summer 2005. My real story began what seems a lifetime ago. I am originally from Trinidad. At seventeen, I moved to New York. I returned to Trinidad when I was 22 where I met and married my beloved husband, Fazal. We decided to make a life in Canada and Fazal came to Mississauga to get established and in 1988 I joined him with our daughter, Karimah. Life was humming along and we had another child, our son Devon. When Devon was only two my husband went to the hospital with a respiratory condition which we were told would resolve itself. Later that night, I stopped into the hospital to check on Fazal and 30 minutes later he passed away. Fazal was only 38 years old. I knew my life had changed forever.
I decided to take control of my life quickly for the benefit of my children and have raised them on my own. My daughter is now 24 years old with children of her own and my son is 14. Last summer, I felt a burning sensation that plagued me. I knew right away that something was wrong but I didn’t share it with anyone, especially my family. In October, I felt a lump and became very fearful of the mammogram I knew that I needed to take. I was so scared that I waited until I was vacation to visit my family physician. I went for a mammogram November 1st. I spent the next 6 weeks in fear and denial waiting for my results. This resulted in a second mammogram and an ultrasound. At that time it was determined that I will have to have the lump biopsy I needed someone to talk to and so I confided in my son-in-law, Rick and my friend Irene they both were a great source of strength and support over the Christmas holidays and throughout the following months. That was very difficult time and Rick and Irene were my “rock”. I cannot thank them enough.
In January, I went to see Dr. Padanou for a consult and visited the Betty Wallace Women’s Centre. It was like a spa. While I was there, I was able to relax and I didn’t feel like I was sick at all. All of the staff were so kind and gentle. Even the robe I wore for my exam was lovely. The year was new and I made a clear decision to fight hard. I was not going to let anything kill me. I was “fighting mad”. By this time, I knew my only solution was surgery. What I didn’t know was whether I was losing the lump inside me or my breast. All that concerned me was to win the fight. Giving up on breast cancer was never an option. My children and my grandchildren should not have to lose me too. During surgery, the degree of ductile carcinoma dictated that a radical mastectomy was necessary in order to ensure a positive result. The next stage of my journey will be to explore the possibility for reconstruction. It may be hard to believe, but I am not as upset following the surgery as one might imagine. I am relieved to have won the fight and removed the cancer from my body and from my family.
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Post Race Reports/Articles
Read post race articles from Oliver Moore of the Globe and Mail, Danny Chew of RaceAcrossAmerica.org, and Race Crew commentary. Read More.
A Note From Kevin on Day 6
I must say I am both humbled and appreciative of each of your comments. They mean so much to me providing much needed energy to myself and my team. Read More.
Dedications
As the endless miles attack Kevin's legs and soul, he'll draw strength from
thoughts of these eight courageous women. Read More.
Kevin's Message
I would like to thank my friends that are not on my crew during the race but have been part of the crew in preparation. Read More.
The Quest
Team Race makes it official. Our intent is to break the Mens SOLO RAAM record. Read More.
Kevin's Gear List
I am packing some last minute items on the eve of flying out to start line and I am overwhelmed with gratitude. Read More.
Kevin's Reflection from RAAM 2004
To compete in Race Across America (RAAM) was a dream come true. Read More.
The World's Toughest Race
Still the numbers are provocative and set ones mind to churning, and when the churning is done and the initial disbelief lingers. Read More.
RAAM DNF - The Noble Defeat
Today we will explore some of the DNF Dragons that have seduced, cajoled, and downright wrestled past RAAM riders to give up. Read More.
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