January 11, 2012 — Who says having cancer doesn’t pay off? I was invited to join a special free Pilates class designed for breast cancer survivors at Ballet Austin. It’s tough hazing but this sorority I never wanted to join can have its perks. I told a friend that I don’t hang around much with breast cancer survivors because I wind up comparing my cancer to theirs. I wonder about any differences in treatment and am jealous if I feel their cancer was “better.” Sigh. I guess even at 45 I’m really just an insecure 15-year-old. But this Pilates class was great and I really enjoyed the company! This beautiful Russian ballet teacher taught the class and several times I struggled to understand her thick accent. At the end of the class, we went to the barre for stretching. I felt like a ballerina. Maybe I’ve outgrown my phobia about hearing about other folks’ cancer experiences because I found myself really interested in everyone’s particular journey. While I wasn’t the only Stage III cancer survivor I’m definitely one of the most aggressive in treatments with my double mastectomy, 15 months of chemo, Zoladex shots, and clinical trial in San Antonio. It was interesting to walk around the Ballet Austin complex and see the professional dancers walking around in their leotards. They are all about 20 and tiny and walk a bit bow-legged from their toe shoes. The ballerinas I saw all looked alike — same height, similar build, same sleek ponytail. It was fun. I think I’ll go back next week.