Marathon Woman Karla Werner

Karla Werner, Garner, NC

Running miles of trails across Triangle greenways is one of life's many pleasures that marathon runner Karla Werner of Garner no longer takes for granted as she did until the winter of 2006. That January Karla had a routine mammogram that ultimately revealed breast cancer. There was no time to waste; she was quickly scheduled for a mastectomy and began preparing mentally for a different kind of marathon.

Because the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes, Karla's oncologist suggested getting a second opinion at UNC. It took only one visit to convince her she was in the right place. Dr. Lisa Carey and a full medical team were on hand to discuss a treatment plan and the option of a promising clinical trial that Karla decided to participate in.

Dr. Carey recalls one of Karla's first questions: "Will I be able to run the Boston Marathon during my treatment?" Most doctors would strongly discourage such a rigorous event, but Dr. Carey knew that Karla had trained for months before her diagnosis. Karla remembers Dr. Carey saying not to give up her running goals just because she has cancer; however, Dr. Carey would have to see how Karla reacted to the powerful chemotherapy regimen she was about to receive…

Karla did amazingly well which Dr. Carey attributed at least in part to her high level of fitness. Karla's regimen involved weekly chemotherapy with multiple drugs for several months. Karla had run 131 miles in January and 73 miles in February, but ran only twice in March after her treatment started. Feeling pretty well after her third infusion and with Dr. Carey's blessing, Karla, her husband Frank and her running partner Joey were Boston-bound.

"Joey decided he would not leave my side during the race. I pleaded with him to run ahead because I felt the chemo was taking a toll and I was slowing him down. He wouldn't budge and made sure I drank lots of water and ate energy gels. We completed the 26.2 miles in less than six hours which earned us our finisher's medals." Exuberant and back in the hotel room with her husband, Karla showered and said, "My gosh, these towels are full of hair." Her husband said, "Honey, it's your own hair starting to fall out." They shared a tender moment together.

"After 29 weekly treatments, the UNC doctors and nurses were family to me. Now when I go back for check-ups I attempt to say hello to all the medical personnel who assisted in my treatments. Angels like Mala and Pat lifted my spirits and made me laugh. Dr. Carey is extraordinary. What doctor lets you run a marathon when you're in chemo!"

Karla's advice to others going through this is to echo the words of her training partner Joey: "You didn't sign up for this cancer marathon, but you're going to run it. And I know you will run it well."