Survivor Story
Friday, June 10th 2011
Annie Cepelak
Submited by Carrie Titolo
TURNING TRIPLE NEGATIVE INTO A BIG POSITIVE
There is not much that keeps Annie Cepelak down. Cepelak, a Wolcott resident, diagnosed at age 47 with triple negative breast cancer, can turn almost anything into a positive- even the loss of her hair after an extensive regimen of chemotherapy and medication, to be followed by more chemotherapy, medication and radiation.
“It is so much cooler not having hair,” Cepelak exclaimed. “I just cover my head with a bandana!”
After noticing unusual tenderness and thickening of her breast tissue, Cepelak paid her doctor a visit. She had a biopsy on Valentine’s Day (accompanied by her husband, Michael), and on February 16th, received the call from her doctor with the news. She went in for a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction, and has been receiving treatment ever since. Now almost nine weeks into chemotherapy, she has finished her first round of treatment.
“Cancer has really made me realize what my priorities are. I have been focusing on my friends and family. It is so important not to take anything for granted, like hugging the kids before bed every night,” she said.
Cepelak has been especially touched at how supportive her friends and family have been, and was thrilled to celebrate with them at the Komen Connecticut Race for the Cure this past Saturday. Her daughter, Kristi Ehnot, started a team in Cepelak’s honor called Annie’s Angels. Over 20 friends, co-workers and family members came to show their support, and the team raised more than $2,000 for the cause.
“It was such a wonderful day. Everyone was smiling and positive, with lots of hugs and kind words. Sometimes, all you need is just a hug. It’s better than chemo!”
Cepelak and her teammates participated in the 5K Run, and in spite of her nausea on Saturday morning, Annie managed to pull through. It is this “can-do” attitude that Cepelak recommends to other women fighting cancer: “Take it one day at a time, and live life. Life shouldn’t stop because I’m going through chemo.” And as Cepelak heads to the Outer Banks with family and friends for a much needed vacation, living life is exactly what she plans to do, with or without hair.
