Life & Work with Rori Zura of Virtual Training/Commack

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rori Zura.

Hi Rori, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My name is Rori; I’m 35 years old, an avid athlete, and have just finished battling Triple Negative Breast Cancer. I had begun finding lumps in 2016, and when the scans showed my breasts were not just dense but also very cystic, I wanted to try and receive a preventative mastectomy. With a rich history of not just breast cancer in the family but also ovarian and lymphoma, I knew that I wanted to be proactive and lessen the stress I would go through every time one of these “cysts” may emerge. Unfortunately, insurance did not share my enthusiasm for prevention, and I could not receive this procedure then. When I initially found my lump, I chalked it up to being another cyst that would go away with my cycle. However, my period came & went, but the lump stayed put. Being at the height of the COVID pandemic, I wasn’t sure if my gynecologist would be able to see me in person, but I called and got an appointment with him immediately. He told me he didn’t think it was anything to worry about but sent me for imaging anyway. After an uncomfortable mammogram, ultrasound, and biopsy, I was confirmed to have Stage 1 Triple Negative Breast Cancer. My tumor localized only to the left breast with no sign of lymph node involvement; if it weren’t for me knowing my own body & doing regular self-exams, who knows where I would be right now?

Immediately I was sent for egg harvesting & was able to freeze 1 embryo. After that, it was onto 8 dose dense chemo treatments of AC-T, which I finished on January 6th, 2021, 3 days before my 34th birthday. I could still work out during my infusions, thanks to my doctor saying it would help keep a majority of the chemo side effects at bay. It also helped me have somewhat of a sense of normalcy during this chaotic time. On February 2nd, 2021, I underwent my double mastectomy with reconstruction. My rapid pathology came back clear during surgery with no lymph node involvement. When the full pathology returned a week later, it showed microscopic traces of cancer in 1 of the tested nodes. This meant I would have to go back for a 2nd surgery to remove the remaining lymph nodes. After arguing for weeks with my doctors about preparing me for my Axillary Lymph Node Surgery regarding Lymphedema awareness and prevention, I finally went back under the knife on March 2nd, 2021. They removed 14 more nodes, which all came back negative for cancer, and I was able to go home equipped with knowing how I can try my best to prevent getting Lymphedema. This was when I signed up for school to become nationally certified as a Personal Trainer. Once I healed and had my tissue expanders filled to where I was happy with the size, I went for Radiation Mapping. I completed 25 rounds of radiation followed by 8 cycles of oral chemo called Xeloda. During my final cycles of Xeloda, I officially received my training certificate and went to further my education by receiving another certification as a Cancer Exercise Specialist. Being able to stay active during treatment is just 1 component of how I’ve been able to give cancer a good run for its money. Having a support system comprised of my husband, an 8-year Testicular Cancer Survivor, a mom who is a Lymphoma survivor, and my truly amazing friends & family is why I’m standing here so strong-willed and continuing to fight. I believe that everything happens for a reason, & my getting cancer showed me what I was meant to do in life: help other women fight their toughest battles. I started my company @foobsandfitness to show women that everyone’s journey is different. We need to advocate for ourselves and be there for one another. I believe that when you utilize fitness & stay active through treatment, you’re better equipped to keep your mind in a good state of health than if you were sedentary. You are the CEO of your own body; make sure you are treating it as such!

Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My initial diagnosis was supposed to be “cut & dry.” I’d go for fertility preservation, start chemotherapy and end with my double mastectomy. Unfortunately, life is never that easy. During the first 2 rounds of my chemo treatment, I became severely impacted with neurological issues that caused me to be extremely dizzy, have blurred vision, and ended up in the ER. I went for an MRI to see what was going on, and a Chiari Malformation was found. Although these malformations are common, they took my battle with dehydration during treatment to a new level. Once I was able to get my hydration levels better, I was then plagued with another punch to the gut. My surgical pathology found that my cancer had spread outside the breast and into my lymph nodes. This would mean more surgeries and treatment, extending my initial 6-month treatment plan to almost 18 months. During the extended part of my treatment, I experienced minor neuropathy in my feet, causing me to feel like I was walking on glass with every step I took. None of this stopped me from crossing that finish line, though. I worked with my team to adjust my treatment plan where needed, and I’m forever grateful.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I founded my company intending to educate and empower those affected by cancer on how to live a more active lifestyle before, during, and after diagnosis. I want to bridge the gap between the medical world and the fitness world by providing patients with a safe, customized training program that correlates with their current state of diagnosis. Being able to empathize with my clients because I’ve been where they are, allows me to help their mental health as well. It’s not easy learning how to safely re-think how people stay active during a diagnosis, but providing the power they need to take back control over their lives is what helps set me apart from others.

Any big plans?
There is a massive need for lymphedema therapists in the United States (specifically), and I’m extremely passionate about this topic. I have a 5-year plan in place, which Rori B.C (before cancer) never was able to do. I still want to go back to school for more formal education to help my clients & patients. I’m hoping to be able to get my license and become a Lymphedema Therapist to be able to care for people with a more harmonic ability.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.foobsandfitness.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foobsandfitness/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/foobsandfitness
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbIqSG6yRo-4QlBqkixF0BA
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@foobsandfitness

Image Credits
Carlos Merlos Shari Cali-Manko