[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/04\/ann-marie-bonus-50ph\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/04\/ann-marie-bonus-50ph\/","headline":"Challenges Accepted: Physical Activity Helps Erie Mom After MS, Cancer Diagnoses","name":"Challenges Accepted: Physical Activity Helps Erie Mom After MS, Cancer Diagnoses","description":"Ann Marie Tarasovitch was living a healthy life in her 40s when she began experiencing some medical problems. It didn\u2019t seem like much at first \u2013 some headaches, a bout of dizziness, vision problems from time to time, or a stumble while running. Then came bouts with shingles and mononucleosis, and Ann Marie\u2019s doctor suggested […]","datePublished":"2020-04-13","dateModified":"2022-05-17","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/hillman.upmc.com\/","name":"UPMC Hillman Cancer Center","url":"https:\/\/hillman.upmc.com\/","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/upmc-hillman-cancer-center\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Ann-Marie-rough-cut-2-CC.00_00_06_22.Still001.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Ann-Marie-rough-cut-2-CC.00_00_06_22.Still001.jpg","height":325,"width":750},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/04\/ann-marie-bonus-50ph\/","about":["Cancer Care","Health Topics A-Z"],"wordCount":480,"articleBody":"Ann Marie Tarasovitch was living a healthy life in her 40s when she began experiencing some medical problems. It didn\u2019t seem like much at first \u2013 some headaches, a bout of dizziness, vision problems from time to time, or a stumble while running.Then came bouts with shingles and mononucleosis, and Ann Marie\u2019s doctor suggested further testing. After blood tests, a spinal tap, and an MRI, Ann Marie learned multiple sclerosis \u2013 an incurable neurological disease \u2013 was causing her problems.Multiple sclerosis (MS) affects the body\u2019s nervous system and can cause problems with normal functions like balance, temperature control, and vision. The disease affects people differently. Symptoms can go away and come back in some people or cause permanent disability in others.Ann Marie determined she would fight the disease head-on. Exercise can help people manage the progression of MS \u2013 and Ann Marie tried to do just that. Although she was active before her diagnosis, she began ramping up her routine. She ran a 10K soon after her diagnosis, and she began spending more time at her local YMCA.\u201cI started taking care of myself better and eating better and doing more things,\u201d she says. \u201cMost of my 40s was just exercise and things like that, thinking, \u2018Well, I have MS \u2013 this is going to be my thing I have to deal with.\u2019\u201dfunction load_upmc_video_1_0bqi8sbm(obj,autoplay){window[\"autoplay_1_0bqi8sbm\"]=autoplay;let $this=$(obj),el=document.createElement(\"script\");$this.removeAttr(\"onmouseover\").removeAttr(\"onclick\").html(\"\");el.src=\"https:\/\/cdnapisec.kaltura.com\/p\/5687602\/embedPlaykitJs\/uiconf_id\/53926702\";document.body.appendChild(el);var waiting_1_0bqi8sbm=setInterval(function(){if(window[\"KalturaPlayer\"] !== undefined){clearInterval(waiting_1_0bqi8sbm);try{let kalturaPlayer=KalturaPlayer.setup({targetId:\"kaltura-video_1_0bqi8sbm_6a12c9ce7256d\",provider:{partnerId:\"5687602\",uiConfId:\"53926702\"},playback:{autoplay:autoplay_1_0bqi8sbm}});kalturaPlayer.loadMedia({entryId:\"1_0bqi8sbm\"});}catch(e){console.error(e);}document.getElementById(\"kaltura-video_1_0bqi8sbm_6a12c9ce7256d\").dispatchEvent(new CustomEvent(\"videoLoad\",{bubbles:true,detail:{\"selector\":\"kaltura-video_1_0bqi8sbm_6a12c9ce7256d\",\"account_id\":\"5687602\",\"player_id\":\"53926702\",\"video_id\":\"1_0bqi8sbm\",\"autoplay\":\"autoplay_1_0bqi8sbm\"}}));}},10);}Shortly before her 50th birthday, Ann Marie learned of another health condition she would have to deal with. She pulled a muscle in her chest, and when she felt the muscle, she felt a lump.It was breast cancer.Ann Marie underwent a double mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiation, and reconstruction surgeries. And through it all, she kept moving. This time, she began going more and more out of her comfort zone. She ran her first half marathon, then several more. She did an open-water swim across Presque Isle Bay in her hometown of Erie. She competed in several sprint triathlons and the \u201cBeast on the Bay,\u201d a 10-mile obstacle course.The cancer provided some low moments, but the competition brought plenty of highs.\u201cEvery time, I just figured, what am I waiting for?\u201d she says. \u201c\u2019It could be your last time you do this. What if you\u2019re in a wheelchair next year from your MS? What if your cancer comes back?\u2019\u201dNeither one of those events has happened. She survived the breast cancer, and she continues to manage her MS.Ten years after first learning of her MS diagnosis, Ann Marie still lives in Erie. She has a strong support system with her husband, her two sons, and friends from the YMCA who became like family. Most of all, she has perspective. She lives for today, not knowing what tomorrow will bring.\u201cThis extra time that God\u2019s given me, I\u2019m going to put it to good use and have fun with it,\u201d she says."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2020","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"04","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/\/04\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Challenges Accepted: Physical Activity Helps Erie Mom After MS, Cancer Diagnoses","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/04\/ann-marie-bonus-50ph\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]