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BONNIE LIEBOVICH
Three-Year Participant of the Lung Run
Connection to Lung Cancer:
Almost 7 year survivor of carcinoid cancer of the lung
Bonnie Liebovich…In her Own Words…
My story began in 2001 when I developed a cough, or actually more of a tickle in my throat, always on the right side. I didn't think much of the cough as it was just an occasional nonproductive cough which seemed to be worsened when I spoke. I figured it was due to post nasal drip or allergies.
In the spring of 2002, the cough became more frequent but it wasn't until May, 2002, when I woke up one morning wheezing, that I finally decided to seek medical help. Even my doctor attributed it to allergies or adult onset asthma until she sent me for a chest x-ray (just as a precaution) which showed a golf ball-size tumor in my right lung. After a whirlwind of new doctors, tests, blood work, scans, etc, I was diagnosed with carcinoid cancer and was told my treatment would be removing my right lung. Chemo and radiation were not options and the tumor alone could not be removed without a lung resection. On July 11, 2002, 2/3 of my right lung was removed.
Recovery was not pleasant and I missed 4 months of work, finally returning to my job as a pharmacist in October, 2002. I struggled with shortness of breath on even mild exertion and climbing stairs or inclines was almost impossible without stopping to rest.
Four years post-op I decided it was time to prove to myself that I was ok and came up with the idea of running, something I had never done before. I was never athletic but running seemed to be the way to show myself that I was "normal." My first attempt to run came in March, 2006. How devastating to find I couldn't run 50 feet without stopping and gasping for air. I almost gave up after that first attempt to run, but didn't. I persevered and made my goal to run in a 5K before my next doctor's appointment in August and on July 2, 2006 I ran in the Bally Total Fitness Race to Taste.
Since then, I have run in over 30 5 and 8Ks and 6 1/2 marathons, most recently being the MORE Magazine 1/2 marathon for women over 40, run in Central Park in New York City on April 26, 2009. There I was privileged to be asked to be part of Team Aquaphor (the race's major sponsor), a team consisting of 13 cancer survivors.
I have run in the Lung Run twice, in 2006 and again in 2008. The 2006 Lung Run is one of my most memorable races as my time in that race remains my personal record. I will be running in the 5th anniversary of the Lung Run this fall as well.
I am a very slow runner as breathing still remains difficult for me under stress and most times have to walk part of a race. My motto is to "finish and not finish last" which so far I have accomplished. I am thrilled to be sharing my story with you. Attached is a picture of me from the 2008 Lung Run.