Xenia
Xenia doesn’t hold back when she refers to her cancer as a traumatic experience. She was diagnosed with endometrial cancer at 31 and underwent treatment for a year, which included high doses of steroids. After almost two years of remission, Xenia’s cancer returned and had begun to spread to her uterus. With her oncologist’s recommendation, Xenia underwent a radical hysterctemy at age 34.
“No google searches or consultations with an oncologist or nurse practitioner can prepare a young woman for what her body will experience during the months that follow,” says Xenia.
Xenia felt out of control. She did not know how to would react emotionally and felt like a stranger in her own skin. Nothing made sense to her and life did not return to normal – everything fell apart and she hit rock bottom.
Two years after Xenia’s surgery she found a running group that connected other cancer warriors called, “Cancer to 5k.” Not only did Xenia take part in the training, she also participated in a program where survivors could walk/run/commute from Baltimore, MD to Key West, FL and visit various cancer centers along the way. During the journey, Xenia met lifelong friends. They were supportive of Xenia, cried when she cried, and laughed at all the idiosyncrasies that can occur during cancer treatment. Most importantly, they understood her.
When Xenia completed her goal race, friends began asking her when the next one would be. Thus, one 5K turned into a 15K. Then came the ultimate “Why not?”—the chance to run the NYC Marathon. She accepted the challenge and accomplished the marathon.
“No one knows how everything will turn out. All I can control is my training schedule and frame of mind. I conquered cancer—what’s 26.3 miles?” – Xenia
Xenia believes in finding an activity that makes survivors rediscover the parts of their bodies that cancer silenced. Xenia is her district’s legislative representative for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network and is an active volunteer with the Ulman Foundation based in Baltimore.Xenia is also an NCCS Elevate Ambassador.
In addition to advocacy, Xenia is a practicing art therapist in New York City and co-hosts a mental health-focused podcast, “Firefly and Phoenix.” She finished her first marathon—the New York City Marathon—in November, and is training for her second, while also managing her dog’s Instagram account @rupert_to_the_rescue.