Musher's spirits remain high

DeeDee Jonrowe is walking fast and talking even faster on the mushing trails behind her home in Willow on a startlingly clear and sunny fall day. Her recently shaved head is covered by a baseball cap emblazoned with the slogan "I CANCERVIVE," a gift from fellow musher Martin Buser. It has been two months since Jonrowe was diagnosed with breast cancer, two months of a myriad of changes to her body and her life, but some things remain unchanged -- daily exercise with numerous healthy, happy dogs and laughter shared with a few good friends.

"I think that's been one of the most important realizations for me since I got diagnosed -- that my friends are here for me, that they have given me so much support," she said. Friends have helped take care of Jonrowe's dogs, brought meals for her and husband Mike Jonrowe, motivated her to exercise, assisted with transportation and doctor's appointments, and even helped her find a good wig. "The loss of my hair has been tough, along with the feeling that my body has been invaded, and that there is no rhyme or reason for me to have cancer," Jonrowe said. Indeed, it seems incongruous that cancer would strike Jonrowe. A veteran of 20 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Races, she is a 12-time top 10 finisher, with two second-place finishes in 1993 and 1998. Her healthy lifestyle includes running marathons, competing in triathlons and the daily grind of manual labor that is the backbone of a professional musher's life.

Jonrowe has never smoked, abstains from alcohol, and consults with a nutritionist to maintain a healthy diet to fuel her active lifestyle. "It just doesn't make sense, and that makes it even harder to accept."

But accept she must, and in true DeeDee style, she has an unfailingly positive attitude, both about her ability to win the battle with cancer and about her ability to return to the Iditarod Trail in 2003. "I really believe I will run the race and be competitive," she said emphatically. "If I put my trust in God, work really hard at getting well and training my dogs, the end result will be that I'm on the trail this year."

If her fitness level during cancer treatment is any indicator, Jonrowe is already on her way. Days after her biopsy in July, she competed in the Kincaid Hammerman Triathlon in Anchorage and one week later, she completed the arduous Beaver Sports Triathlon in Fairbanks. Two days after returning from Fairbanks, she underwent a radical mastectomy and within days of that surgery, was completing brisk 5-mile walks and taking care of almost 100 dogs. Although marathons and triathlons have given way to long walks and berry-picking hikes with friends, Jonrowe's longtime running partner Sandy Lane nonetheless marvels at the woman's endurance and determination, "Even during cancer treatment, she still has the energy of two people," Lane said.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time when the nation focuses on the disease that will strike nearly 200,000 women and men this year. Early detection and treatment are the keys to survival and Jonrowe has already begun to publicly encourage women to take precautions that will increase their likelihood of early detection. Having received regular mammograms since turning 40, the 48-year-old Jonrowe felt a lump in her right breast during a routine self-exam. After a physical examination by her doctor, a mammogram was taken, which did not detect the malignant tumor that was subsequently revealed on a sonogram. It is estimated that nearly 20 percent of breast tumors are not detectable by mammogram, which is why routine self-exams and physical exams by a doctor should be part of every woman's self care.

Jonrowe's treatment plan includes eight sessions of chemotherapy, two of which she has accomplished thus far. She cheerfully admitted that "it hasn't been that bad, I seem to be a good candidate for chemo -- not too much nausea and my energy level is pretty high. As long as I get my nap, we're doing good." If all goes as scheduled, her final chemo treatment will be in January, and she will make a determination about Iditarod at that time, depending on her overall health and fitness. "I will not put my dogs' safety at risk if my fitness level will not allow me to race safely," she said. But treatment plans and fitness are only part of the process -- fighting cancer involves a legion of doctors, specialists, and medications. Mike and DeeDee Jonrowe have limited health insurance that covers only a fraction of the costs associated with specialized health care; in fact, they recently had to purchase a chemotherapy policy for thousands of dollars. These expenses are difficult to absorb coming on the heels of major losses in mushing sponsorships for DeeDee and a poor commercial fishing season for Mike. To assist Jonrowe with medical costs, the Valley Women's Running Team is staging the "Dog Dash for DeeDee." Just as important as the funds that might be raised at this event is the community support that Jonrowe feels as a result of the efforts of the running team. "It has really kept me going, knowing that people are pulling for me is such an inspiration," she said.

It is only fitting that the person who has inspired so many others is now receiving inspiration in return. And it is almost impossible not to be inspired by Jonrowe. Diane Firmani, a member of the Valley Women's Running Team, summed it up when she said, "DeeDee has always been out there representing the best that Alaskan women can be. I think she is practically a national treasure."