About : Profiles

Meet Lori Peterhans, 39-year-old cervical cancer survivor

Date of Diagnosis:
August 2004

Treatment:
Hysterectomy, chemotherapy, radiation therapy

Cancer was difficult because:
After my surgery it took one year for me to get my strength back. During the five days I spent I the hospital after surgery, I had 23 staples in my abdomen. The hardest thing was not being able to get up and do the things I wanted to do because I had to let myself heal. My scars healed quickly, but it took one year to get my strength back. Many times I had to force myself not to give up.

Good things to come out of my illness:
It teaches you not to put off anything you want to do. Now anything that I ever thought was cool in life, I’m going to do it. I finished my dive master certification after my illness. I also got my motorcycle license and bought a motorcycle. My attitude towards life is different. I wake up and look at the sunrise and I’m grateful to see one more day.

Most important pieces of advice for someone diagnosed with cancer:
1) Do exactly what the doctor tells you to do.
2) Keep a positive attitude
3) Never give up

Why I joined MoveThroughCancer:
I found out about MTC through another website. I always knew I needed to exercise, but it’s easier to show up and do it if you have a reason.

How MoveThroughCancer changed my life:
I made friends with other members and it got to a point where, if I missed a day, they’d tell me they missed me and asked how I was doing the next time they saw me. That alone was enough to make me show up every week. MTC was the motivation I needed to exercise and got me into a good routine. I feel that the people there really care for me, it’s very genuine, and they’re glad to see you every time you show up. Participating in the Texas Roundup was a blast—it was the greatest thing that we all did!