As the owner of Curves in downtown Oxford, Suzanne Ardelan’s been a local leader in the fight against breast cancer from fund-raising efforts to increasing awareness.
For her, the fight was always something in the abstract, a worthy cause she supported as a woman and the owner of a gym that caters exclusively to women.
‘I’ve held a lot of hands through the process, but I’ve never had it be something that affected my life,? Suzanne said.
That all changed on April 29, when her doctor found a lump in the center of her right breast during her annual physical examination.
‘It felt like a hard pea, like a little rock,? said the 48-year-old Oxford resident. ‘You never think it’s going to be you.?
Like any other person would be, she was naturally scared and it took a while for reality to set in.
‘You feel like you’re in a dream and you keep waiting to wake up,? Suzanne said. ‘You kind of go through the first couple weeks in a dreamlike state because you’re just bouncing from doctor to doctor and they’re overloading you with information.?
‘I think I was in denial. At first, I didn’t read any of the literature they gave me because I was just trying to process the whole thing.?
In all, three malignant cysts were discovered in her right breast. She had Stage 2 breast cancer.
The diagnosis turned life upside down for Suzanne, her husband of 21 years, Gary, and their two daughters, Libby and Julie.
‘I think we were both shocked at first,? Gary said. ‘It was easier for us to just be involved at Curves and do the fund-raisers. It was fun. It’s a little different now that you’re part of it.?
‘It’s a horrible journey. I don’t wish it on anybody,? Suzanne said. ‘But you’ve got to have a positive attitude even though it’s really hard. My mantra is ‘this too shall pass.??
In mid-July, Suzanne had the affected breast removed and a new one reconstructed using her own skin. She’s been undergoing chemotherapy since mid-August and is expected to have her last treatment Oct. 29.
Suzanne can’t wait for chemo to be over.
‘Chemo has racked my whole body,? she said. ‘I didn’t think it would be so debilitating. I don’t think very many people realize how painful or debilitating it is.?
In addition to having ‘no energy? and intense emotional lows, her ‘back, hips and legs hurt all the time.?
‘I’m totally whipped by the time I walk up the steps and come down,? she said. ‘It’s just more than I ever thought it would be.?
The Ardelans are just grateful they have good health insurance and the type of business which has allowed Suzanne to be off work for the last three months.
‘Look at all the people who try to go to work after chemo and try to struggle through it,? said Gary, who’s glad his retirement has allowed him to help out around the house by doing all the cooking and grocery shopping.
As with most chemo patients, Suzanne lost all of her hair, which was a very traumatic experience, but not for any reasons associated with vanity.
‘It’s not necessarily the hair, it’s the realization that you have cancer and you’re going down that road,? she said. ‘When a handful of your hair comes out in the shower, there’s no denying you have it.?
Once chemo’s over, Suzanne will have to undergo radiation treatments five days a week for four to six weeks.
‘I get weekends off,? she said.
Suzanne hopes that by sharing her story with the public during October’s National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, she can encourage other ladies to visit their doctors regularly for physical examinations and get annual mammograms, especially women over the age of 40 or with a family history of breast cancer.
‘I have a lot of women that come into the gym and tell me they’ve never had a mammogram,? she said.
Suzanne’s always made it a point to have her annual visits around May and she has no family history of breast cancer or any other type of cancer. That’s why she’s going to look into the idea of undergoing genetic testing to determine if she carries certain inherited gene flaws that can make the risk of cancer greater in her daughters.
Women with a mother, sister or daughter affected by breast cancer have a greater risk of developing the disease themselves. Certain inherited genetic mutations increase the risk.
The American Cancer Society estimated the chances of a woman developing breast cancer in her lifetime is 1-in-8. The odds of being diagnosed increase with age.
‘Once you start talking about it, you find out there’s so many people we know that have been through it and it’s no as rare as you think it is,? Gary said. ‘It’s pretty prevalent. A lot of women are getting it.?
Walking into the chemo room at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Suzanne believes cancer of all kinds should be reported as being at an ‘epidemic level.?
‘There’s about 25 people (in the room), all hooked up to IVs,? she said. ‘Men, women, teenagers, children, elderly, it doesn’t discriminate.?
Despite the rocky road the Ardelans have faced over the last few months, they are thankful to be surrounded by people who care and living in a community that reaches out.
‘It’s just overwhelming to me how much support I get from everybody,? Suzanne said. ‘I get a card everyday from somebody.?
Rides to the hospital, home-cooked meals, chocolates ? the support’s come in a variety of ways from the staff and members at Curves to acquaintances.
‘Women that I knew very casually in town and didn’t know their history were suddenly sharing with me how long they’ve been a survivor, telling me not to worry and you’ll get through it. It’s been very inspirational,? Suzanne said.
Suzanne even found out that some of her friends battled cancer alone and never told anyone. ‘I can’t imagine that,? she said.
The community’s also been there for Suzanne’s family.
From the folks down at Oxford Hills Golf and Country Club, where the Ardelans play, to the staff at Harvest Time Farm Market, where Libby worked, people have reached out to Gary and the kids to make sure they’re doing all right and feel supported.
‘Sometimes you think you’re the only one that it affects, but it’s affected everybody,? Suzanne said. ‘That’s one of the things I like about Oxford ? everyone treats you like you’re family and when things happen, everybody steps up.?
As for the future, Suzanne plans to beat all this and continue her fight against breast cancer. As they’ve done every year since 2001, Curves is once again sending a team to participate in the ‘Making Strides Against Breast Cancer? event on Belle Isle in Detroit. The 5-mile walk/fund-raiser is put on by the American Cancer Society.
To help earn money for the walk, Curves held its second annual ‘Bowling for Boobies? fund-raiser at Collier Lanes over the weekend. It raised about $1,000.
Kalloway’s Restaurant and Pub is also helping out by donating 10 percent of the meal price on Thursday, Oct. 16 from 4-8 p.m. when a special coupon is presented. These coupons are available at Curves located at 21 N. Washington St. Call (248) 628-4080 for more information.
Fund-raising aside, Suzanne plans to be ‘more forceful? with women on a personal level when it comes to stressing the importance of annual physicals and mammograms.
‘I’m going to be much more proactive.?…

…The POH Riley Foundation offers free mammogram screenings to those who are uninsured or under-insured, 40 years or older, under 40 but with a family history of breast cancer, resident of Oakland County or have a physician referral. Sign up by calling the POH Regional Medical Center in Pontiac at (248) 338-5608 or POH Oxford at (248) 969-7353.