ANGIE'S STORY
What do CrossFit and cancer have in common? If you've been CrossFitting for any length of time, you have probably realized that CrossFit is very much a mental sport. CrossFit founder Coach Greg Glassman himself has said, “the greatest adaptation to CrossFit takes place between the ears.” CrossFit 817 member Angie Block and cancer survivor has the same attitude about her battle with breast cancer. “A lot of health obstacles you have to beat with your mind. You have no idea how strong you are until your back is pushed against the wall, and you have no other options but to be strong.”
In the fall of 2009, Angie and Bryan Block had a lot going for them. The two had been married for 5 years, had a wonderful son, Conner, who was 7 at the time, and both had great jobs. They decided they wanted to try for a baby in January of 2010 so Angie scheduled a full check up in September 2009 to make sure everything was okay before getting pregnant. Angie's mom was adamant about her getting a mammogram done as well after a dream she had. Angie kept telling her mom that she didn't need one but her mom was insistent. It almost didn't happen because Angie had to fight with her doctor to get it approved through insurance and she had to cancel the first appointment. She almost cancelled her second appointment as well but Bryan urged her to go get it done. Bryan and Angie (then 31) both thought that since she was young, everything would be normal and it would be an uneventful afternoon. Instead it turned into a whirlwind of events that led up to the first of many surgeries.
“Bryan was in the waiting room while I was getting the mammogram done. The nurse came in for pictures and said she would go read them to make sure they didn't need more. Well, she came back in and said they needed more on one side. Left again, came back in and said she needed more. I began to get scared and called my mom and was crying. After coming in the fifth time, my nurse told me I needed to go upstairs and talk to my doctor. When I walked in his office I was crying. He told me no girl at the age of 31 has breast cancer. I left his I left his office that Tuesday at 5:15 thinking everything would be fine. I received a call from his office Weds morning saying I needed to be at UT Southwestern in Dallas Thursday morning for a MRI and a biopsy. Bryan, my parents, Bryan's mom and I all loaded up to go. 10 minutes after the MRI I was told I had Stage 0 breast cancer. Next step was biopsies then scheduling of surgeries.”
Angie's first surgery was in October, 2009. She had a full mastectomy and they started the reconstruction process. After the surgery, the doctors told her that 80% of her breast was filled with cancer and it was estrogen positive. Sadly, this meant that Angie should not get pregnant ever again because of the hormone changes during pregnancy.
In November Angie had her 2nd surgery dealing with reconstruction. After the 3rd surgery in December to finish the reconstruction, Angie got an infection and got quite sick. The doctors gave her a few months off to heal and had to restart the reconstruction process all over again with a fourth surgery in February. It ended up being a 24-hour surgery and Angie woke up on a ventilator with a breathing tube. “I could not move my arms, they were tied down. I literally thought I was dying.” Angie recalls.
After eight days in the hospital, Angie finally got to go home and they thought she was in the clear but they were wrong. After about a week, her stomach wound started to separate. Her stomach separated almost a total of 4 inches and the wound was two feet in length. Bryan packed her stomach daily so the tissue would grow and the doctor could sew it back up. This marked surgery number 5 in March. Everything was going well and the wound was healing but in April 2010, it became infected and Angie got cellulitis.
“I was in the hospital with a 105 temperature that they couldn't get to come down. I had ice packs all over my body. The doctors took my husband and parents in the hall to tell them they weren't sure I would make it through this. Well I am a fighter and I did!”
Fast forward to early 2011 when Angie found CrossFit. “I got involved with CrossFit through friends of our football club, starting with Kelly Yarbrough. Most of the moms of the Keller Bears starting working out at Crossfit 817 and we saw their transformations and we were sold. I always heard them talking about it and how much they loved it, so Bryan and I decided to give it a try.”
Angie and Bryan both fell in love with CrossFit quickly, “my favorite thing about CrossFit is that it never gets easier. Everyday there is a harder WOD or a better time to beat. It pushes me to my limit. I love the fact that after every workout, I am on the ground hoping I have the strength to get up and make it home. The coaches are there to push me when I feel like I have nothing left to give. I also enjoy everyone I work out with at CrossFit 817. It is a family away from family. I have met some wonderful friends that will last me a lifetime.”
Angie has made a big impression on fellow CrossFit 817 members as well. Fellow CrossFitter Annika Daniels comments, “Angie is a very genuine person. She is considerate, kind, and thoughtful. She is freakin' hilarious. She's endured some pretty life changing events that have had such a positive impact on her. She looks at everything in her life as a blessing. She wants to do right by others - whether it is as a wife, friend, or mom. She 's true to her convictions and will speak her mind. She's by far one of the strongest women I know. Not many can survive what she's gone through.”
Kelly Yarbrough, who introduced Angie to CrossFit agrees, “Angie is the type of person who would give you the shirt right off her back. She's full of life and one of the sweetest and caring people you'll ever meet. She's pretty tough too! What I love most about Angie is the fact that she never gives up. She's endured more than most of us have or ever will in a lifetime… she's a true fighter!”
In June of 2011, Angie had her 6th and final surgery. She had a full hysterectomy and a hernia repaired that she had received from a prior surgery. She is released from most of her doctors. She sees her oncologist and breast specialist every 6 months but is now considered a breast cancer survivor.
Angie says that CrossFit really helped her with her last surgery. “Crossfit helped me lose some weight and made me stronger for my last surgery. This was my 6th surgery and I came out of it with flying colors and I contribute that to CrossFit. I believe that the better shape you are in, the better you will heal. My muscles in my stomach were so much stronger for this surgery, which the doctor said helped him in the surgery as well.”
After all she has been through, Angie can see blessings that she has received from her journey. “My blessing from cancer was seeing the world in a different perspective. Breast cancer is a club you never want to join, but I have met so many great people on this journey. It helped me realize I wasn't alone and there was always someone there for me. I have also had the opportunity to see what a wonderful support team I have. I have the best friends and family a girl could ask for. I know people say to live each day to the fullest, and now I do. I try not to take anything for granted, never know what tomorrow will bring. I have really learned who I am, and how much inner strength I have.”
Angie has some advice to anyone facing a personal health obstacle. “My first and foremost advice when dealing with any obstacle is to pray. God works miracles, I see it every day. My other advice would be to face things head on, with a positive attitude and take it one day at a time. I remember when I was first told I had cancer, I couldn't breathe. I had to stop and think about all I had to live for and my son was the first thing that came to my mind. I looked at my husband and my mom and told them I would kick cancers a**, and here I am today, feeling better than ever. I would also tell everyone to get their annual checkups. My own doctor told me there was no way I had cancer at the age of 31, boy was he wrong. Listen to your own body and mind. You know what is best for you and your health.”
Angie's future goals include going back to school to graduate from college and to keep on CrossFitting. “I feel like God wanted me here for a reason, so I need to take full advantage of the time I have. I plan to stay in the job I have now. I work with autistic children, and as hard and challenging as it may be, the reward is well worth it all. Inside the gym I plan on working harder and harder each day to get healthy and back in shape. I have committed myself to CrossFit 4 times a week. My goals as of now are to box jump on the 20” and to get an unassisted pull-up. Oh, and let's not forget the double unders. I will get those down!!”
