W50 sprinter, thrower Debbie Selby bravely fighting breast cancer

Debbie Selby

Debbie Selby, daughter of ironman M80 runner Jim Selby, went in for an annual checkup August 3 and discovered a lump in her breast. It was small, and almost overlooked. But Dr. Georganne Novak put Debbie through a needle biopsy, and her fears were confirmed: breast cancer. “It’s a miracle,” Debbie says of the early detection. She calls Dr. Novak “an angel.” Another surgeon “couldn’t find anything.” So Debbie will take a few months off from her fourth-grade teaching job at Twin Oaks Elementary School in San Marcos to have a lumpectomy next month at Scripps Memorial Hospital in San Diego and then recovery. Debbie, a sprinter and thrower for the Southern California Striders, also will have radiation. She’s in shape for the treatment, she says, because she worked her butt off this summer. She feels fine. “You wouldn’t know I had anything,” she says. “I am strong.” Indeed, you are, Debbie. We’re all praying for you.

Jim and daughter Debbie have traveled to many meets (including 2006 Charlotte nationals) from their home in Fallbrook, Calif. (Photo by Ken Stone)

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August 28, 2010

17 Responses

  1. James Chinn - August 28, 2010

    Debbie,
    My thoughts and prayers are with you, I know you’ll be fine and we’ll see you back on the track soon.

  2. peter taylor - August 28, 2010

    Debbie: We all like you so much and wish the very best for you. What a pleasure it was for me to ride around Spokane with you and your father in 2008, and I look forward to riding with you again in the future.

    God bless.

  3. mary Harada - August 28, 2010

    Best wishes for a successful surgery and treatment. Hope you will be back on the track soon.

  4. Rita Hanscom - August 28, 2010

    There are many survivors among us, Debbie. Your friends, faith, and fitness will see you through this.

  5. jeanne bowman - August 28, 2010

    Debbie, you’re a stud and you will handle all of this. I am so happy you had a doctor who had the insight to get the biopsy. I am praying for you. You know I can’t run a 400 without you!

  6. Jai Black - August 28, 2010

    Debbie, I look forward to seeing you back on the track. The same 4P’s for 400m will get you through, you are a very strong person Push (through the surgery) Pace (through the chemo) Power around curve (the radiation) and Pray.. (Woohoo for good doctors and early detection) Best wishes for a speedy recovery!

  7. Jerry Smartt - August 29, 2010

    Be tough, Deb, You’ll be right. Your dad and I go back a loonng way. Smartty

  8. Kettrell Berry - August 29, 2010

    Debbie you are in my prayers. Stay positive my friend.

    Semper Fi
    Kettrell

  9. al cestero - August 29, 2010

    you are in our prayers…

  10. Kathy Bergen - August 29, 2010

    Debbie

    Thank God for good doctors. You are in our prayers. Stay strong and I will see you next year on the track.

    Kathy

  11. Cornell - August 29, 2010

    Be strong Debbie,you will be in my prayers.

  12. Joseph Burleson - August 29, 2010

    Debbie: Many of us will be thinking of you and pulling for you in the coming months, even those among us who have never met you. As the daughter of one of my all-time heros, I am guessing that you have strength and perserverance aplenty. Good luck and keep those spirits high!

  13. Karen Vaughn - August 29, 2010

    Dear Debbie, I’m praying for full recovery. You have been and continue to be a great inspiration to me. Hope to see you at the meets soon! – Karen

  14. christel donley - August 30, 2010

    Dear Debbie and Jim,

    thoughts and prayers are with you. Jim, a Dad after
    every ones heart, give Deb. hugs when needed.
    Thanks for your years of friendship.
    And now, Debbie, you will use your strength and get thru the whole procedure.

    Christel

  15. Linda and David - August 30, 2010

    We send you our very best wishes for a successful surgery and treatment. Our thoughts are with you.

  16. Tracey Berryman - September 4, 2010

    I wish you well. I know, with God’s help, you’ll get through this.

  17. Ken Stone - September 6, 2010

    Update on eve of surgery:

    Debbie will be at Scripps Memorial Hospital in Encinitas on Tuesday:
    http://www.scripps.org/locations/hospitals__scripps-memorial-hospital-encinitas

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