When Life Gave Linda Lemons, Positivity Led her to Walk the Wilmot Warrior Weekend

It's not what happens to you, it's how you handle what happens to you that determines your happiness in life.

Linda D'Antonio (fourth from left) with team members at the 2023 Wilmot Warrior Weekend.

Linda D’Antonio has a paper with that motto posted in her home and it’s a theme that has helped her overcome many challenges in life, including being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) and ovarian cancer.

She’s bringing that positivity forward to help others through the Wilmot Cancer Institute’s Wilmot Warrior Weekend, taking place Saturday, Sept. 21, and Sunday, Sept. 22, exactly 10 years after she completed an Ironman competition.

While completing that event may have been more physically challenging, the Warrior Weekend has a special meaning for D’Antonio.

“I want to give back for everything Wilmot has done for me,” she says. “I want to give something back for all of the strong positivity they shared, because maintaining a positive attitude is like the core tenet of who I am. I am just so thankful for everything they did to strengthen that and keep that strong.”

Prior to finding out she had MS in 2001, D’Antonio describes herself as athletic, having participated in frequent triathlons. She dreamt of doing an Ironman competition, but her MS diagnosis at age 36 delayed that dream. However, she eventually had her MS under control and gained enough strength to complete the competition on Sept. 21, 2014. One of her favorite songs that got her through training and the competition: “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor.

Fast forward to 2023, and she had just been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Mere days after finding out, she had a surgery with Brent DuBeshter, MD. The surgery showed it was stage 3 and shortly after, she started chemotherapy.

As she got out of the elevator at Wilmot Cancer Institute’s Highland Hospital Infusion Center for her first chemo appointment, she recognized what she heard immediately.

“I walk in, and I hear the music and I’m like, it's Eye of the Tiger that is playing in the waiting room and I knew then, I’m going to be okay,” she says.

That experience informed her Wilmot Warrior Weekend team name, The Eye of the Tiger.

She got through her first round of treatments and did well for a while, but five or six months later, the cancer came back.

Her oncology team, now led by Rachael Turner, MD, PhD, had more options ready. She completed another course of chemo in July followed by her current maintenance medication.

Linda D'Antonio (second from left) celebrates after walking the 5K at the 2023 Wilmot Warrior Weekend.

“They reacted so quickly when they realized that the cancer had come back. They got me back in chemo again,” she said. “Throughout the whole thing, nothing but positivity.”

It’s not only about what others have done for her, though. She exercised control where she could, using resources available to her – and all Wilmot Cancer Institute patients – for free at the Pluta Integrative Oncology and Wellness Center.

She also decided to participate in the Wilmot Warrior Weekend again, her way of spreading positivity to others and supporting the place that she says has given her so much.

“We did the Wilmot Warrior Walk/Run, a 10K, in 2016, well before I got diagnosed with cancer,” she says. “I didn’t know its impact then. Now, doing it as an actual cancer patient, these guys really are awesome. I’m so glad I supported them when I did, and that I can continue to give back today.”

Recently, she had another setback. She sprained her ankle last week and is in a boot, so is unable to walk long distances. She’s not letting that stop her from participating in the 5K, though – her plan is to bring along a wheelchair and to have her family push her once she can no longer walk, so she can still enjoy the company of her family and friends along the journey.

That’s just another example of how D’Antonio responds to her life’s challenges. Instead of losing hope, she gets creative and chooses how to respond.

Instead of dwelling on adversity, she’s looking forward with optimism.

“Because it came back so fast, I'm a chronic cancer patient now. This isn't going to go away. It may go into remission but … it's always going to come back,” she says. “Knowing that I have Wilmot on my side for the long haul and that they will be as supportive as they have always been, that's huge. And knowing they'll help me keep a positive attitude and that I don't have to do it alone makes all the difference for me.”