Pauline Gillis' Biography

I am a 59 year old retired school teacher living in Del Mar, California. I am married, and have two grown children and three grandchildren under the age of 4. Participation in sports has been one of my major interests all of my life. I played varsity volleyball and basketball all four years of high school. I am currently rowing 3 to 5 days each week.

In December of 1979 I made an appointment with my doctor to inquire about a sore elbow that was bothering me while playing racquetball. I casually mentioned a small hard lump on the side of my body. I had no idea it was in breast tissue nor did I realize that hard and malignant were often related but he saw the warning signs. The lump was biopsied and found to be malignant. I underwent a modified radical mastectomy and 12 months of chemotherapy. The chemotherapy was recommended because the cancer had metastasized to 3 of 29 lymph nodes tested. The drugs used in the chemo program were cytoxan, methothexate, and 5 Fluorouracil which was the most common regimen at that time.

When the chemotherapy was complete I attempted breast reconstruction. Unfortunately a staphylococcus infection caused the implant to fail. Because of the discomfort and risks, I decided not to try this procedure again. I use a prosthesis and am comfortable with this solution.

In 1979, I was 36 years old with a 12 year old daughter and a 14 year old son and was teaching special education at Mount Carmel High School. Of course at a time like this there is a great deal of self-reflection and concern about survival. I made some adjustments to my life to help get through this period. I decided to limit my activities to family, work, and healthful walks, monthly massages and earlier bedtimes. I had tremendous support from my husband and family throughout the ordeal.

After my year of chemo, I continued my life paying more attention to my personal needs. I skipped school and spent a month traveling around Europe. I transferred to Abraxas High School, the continuation school in Poway. I added yoga to my activities. A little over 5 years ago I invited Joy Leinow, one of my fellow teachers, to a yoga class. She explained that she did her yoga on the water and invited me to a learn-to-row barge class. Soon I was hooked on this rowing adventure and joined her at ZLAC Rowing Club in San Diego.

I retired in year 2000 after 30 years of teaching. This allowed me to add two weekday mornings of sculling. I am also now taking more time helping my parents, enjoying my family, reading and taking photographs.