Just for fun... - Page 5

astrid · 06-10-2006, 07:13 AM

I work for AT&T as a process engineer. I have worked for AT&T for 22 years. Another 8 and I will have 30 years and I WILL retire. I have been with my husband and best friend for 25 years. I have a 21 year old son and two step children, 25 & 28. My son is enrolled in a dual degree program with Elon University and NC State University. He will graduate with a BS in Computer Engineering and a BS in computer science with a minor in Math. I have two cats, a dog, an 80 gallon fish tank and a dozen hummingbirds. We have a place at North Topsail beach and we all love the ocean. We will be going to French Polynesia for our wedding anniversary in September.

panicked911 · 06-10-2006, 10:38 AM

Great idea:

When I was diagnosised last Septemeber - I was workig as an attorney specializing in all types of litigation - Now needless to say all of that has chnaged and I am only working part time on a greatly reduced scheduled.

For me, the law was second career, previously I worked as a journalist for 16 years until the kids came and my mother became very ill and subsequestly passed away in 1998. Hence law school.

My husand hasbeen a saint thru all of this and I relalize I have been very fortunate that mt cancer was diagnosied early ( stage 1 no nodes) and that I live near and am being treated at major NY cancer center ( MSK) - my 10-year old daughter's best friend father is a doc there so when I freaked out he stepped in and paved the way.

I have 7 more herceptain treatments left ( it will be atruely happy thanksgiving ) and as the trweatments are progressing it is getting harder to work - I am losing words, my memory is shot and I beleive I am ADD. STill thru it all I realize I am very lucky.

I have two children a son who is 13, and a daughter 10 ( i received my diagnosis on her 10th b'day) . My kids do not know and neither do many fo my friends - I have chosen to kep this very private - hence my sign on. Since then I have been immersing myself in the PTA ( I am VP this year) and sit on the school's foundation board) and renovating a new house - anything to keep my mind busy.

thank you all for all of the information and support you provide.

Susanne

LovingDaughter · 06-10-2006, 11:30 AM

I am a brand new first year (almost second year) attorney! I started out as a corporate transactional attorney, but I switched to become a health care attorney after my mom was diagnosed. I decided that I liked the idea of working with doctors! I still do a lot of transactional work, but now I assist with buying and selling hospitals instead of assisting my clients to set up ventures overseas (I've never been a big fan of outsourcing etc. anyways!). I also take on a lot of pro-bono cases. Right now I am defending a breast cancer survivor from an overreaching large international bank.

My mom is in the title business, and my boyfriend of seven years is an artist/graphic designer (he does animation, toy design and the like).

I have only one child--a small 4 pound chihauha named Tinkerbell. She keeps all of us sane when times get tough.

I loved reading about all of you =)

bobbiw · 06-10-2006, 11:50 AM

My entire work career has been working for people who have disabilities; developmental and mental health issues. I was working for a private company who provides residential services. My job was supervising clients and the staff that support them. I am 49 (soon to be 50) and have not worked since I began chemo (12-6-05). I just finished weekly Taxol and an now continuing weekly Herceptin for a year. I am anxiously awaiting to have reconstructive surgery and am pondering if I am 'with it' enough to go back to work between now and then. I have a very supportive husband who I have been married to for the past 14 years. We live in Minnesota. Although I dont post often I do visit the board often.
Bobbi

RhondaH · 07-20-2006, 02:31 AM

Hi everyone!

Ora · 07-20-2006, 01:25 PM

I am so glad you bumped this thread up. After reading your bios, you all seem so real to me now. I am glad I found this forum. I am a 55 year old Choctaw Indian (1/2), 2 grown sons, 4 grandchildren, and a wonderful husband of 25 years. I am a Radiation Safety Officer for a large energy company. I'd tell you the name but since I'm using their computer, they may be looking for a way to get rid of me. I've been with this company for 30 years. I do lots of radiological decommissioning, environmental work, industrial health and safety and project management. I love my job but it's getting harder to do. My mother is 78, lives next door and takes care of me. I wish I had a tenth of her energy. We have one granddaughter who lives close and like to spend time with her. All my others live in California, but we try to see them as much as possible. I like to go fishing with my husband, and most Saturdays my mom & I go to Wal-Mart, K-Mart, garage sales, out to eat, and then play bingo at the Indian casinos. Sundays, we go to church and ask forgiveness. We do live the Okie dream!

geraldine · 07-20-2006, 07:40 PM

What a great idea, Well done Rhonda..!!

I run a bar and have done so for many years. I get great enjoyment from this job and have found people to be so caring and considerate ( there have been the exceptions to the rule, but they're in all walks of life).

When i first became ill, these very people were fantastic, raising funds for research and lots of other stuff on my behalf. Every year now we hold a "Stars In Your Eyes" and every one joins in, myself included. It's great fun.

Because of this type of work, it also becomes my social life, but their is Life after Work and this has become more apparent since taking ill.

I have three children..Steven 33 Tracy 31 and Christopher 29. I have 5 beautiful grandchildren, Jamie 12, Kiera 6, Erin 4, Chloe 1 and last but not least Kerry 8 wks.. No. 6 is due in october. If there is a will to live... They Are It for me.!!

At this particular time in life, I am on my own ( No partner ) and yes, I get lonely at times but when I see their little faces.....everything falls into place and nothing else matters.

Life at this moment is sweet, I have my family, Friends, very good workmates but most of all, My Health, cos without that......!!!

Keep these threads going, because they are inspirational.

God Bless to All
Geraldine x

chrisy · 07-20-2006, 08:39 PM

Thanks for bumping this up. I needed to be reminded I am more than my diagnosis!

I'm the CFO/Controller for a skateboard company, and have been for 10 years. I left a Fortune 100 company after 17 years and vowed I'd never wear panty hose again! I love my work (most of the time), and as long as my coworkers keep laughing when I tell them I'm old enough to be their mother, I figure I'm doin ok! I feel really blessed to have found "true love" in the workplace - my boss and co-workers have been beyond supportive in my journey.

I live with the love of my life, John, to whom I've been married for 16 years. We met in college in Illinois in 1974, went our separate ways, and "found" each other again 2000 miles west and 12 years later. We have no children, so we get to act like children ourselves. When I need to be reminded why I'm here, I look at him or go visit my sister and wonderful 10 year old niece - (in Chicago burbs) who I very much want to see grow up to become a beautiful young lady.

kat in the delta · 07-26-2006, 01:39 PM

Hey Ya'll !
Guess that shows you where I live--Yeah, in the Mississippi Delta about 90 miles south of Memphis, the home of the king--in Clarksdale,MS which is the" Home of the Blues" !!
It's so flat here that for years I thought the Levee was a Mountain, where I used to get cardboard boxes and slide down that levee 'til the grass was as slick as ice .
Now, I'm 52, have a BA from Ole Miss in French, then English, then Math, then to my calling of Sp. Ed.,taught all,but now at home. I have traveled some in my days, but not far- as of late. My father was Italian. My mother--mixture of German/Dutch/Am.Indian. I married a pharmacist and have 3 sons (no girls yet): oldest is a Finance Director, the knee-baby is in final yr of Law School @Ole Miss, and the babyboy-child is still classified as a sophomore, altho'almost 23yrs old, but has finally discovered his unique gift in life--composing classical music on the piano !!!
This appeared about 2 and a half yrs. ago when he was working in PA and keeping the houses of relatives who had gone to Africa for the winter.--can't even read or write it, ne'er lesson one !! That child didn't want a soul to know and kept it secret for a while until he got home, and we had moved into my inlaws(dec.) home where I had the old baby grand revived after 50 yrs.----- I heard this beautiful sound coming out of the livingroom-----what a change from the stuff he had listened to in the past. It is truly quite a story ........e-mail me if you really want to know.....a month ago, the artist Peter Corbin (www.petercorbin.com) flew him to New York to provide background music for a slideshow of oil paintings and readings from Peter's new book, An Artist's Creel.
With this CHEMO-Brain of mine I cannot get myself Organized or on TIME to do anything-----I am even LATE for my Onc who is 2 miles away.
I have lost a little wt., my wits, and my hair is coming back in all colors of blonde, brown and grey, and in ALL directions, too !!! Me and my surroundings look alike at this point. Somebody please tell me -- --------Willl it get Better ???------ Our Blues Fest. is Aug.11-13 in Clarksdale, Mississippi and I've been making up songs for Super Chikan. Ya'll got some blues songs,too i bet. You can listen to S.Chikan on the links on website of www.daddy rich.net --Chikan and Morgan Freeman are buddies ------ talk to ya'll later--kat in the delta

MJo · 07-27-2006, 09:05 AM

I am 55, Italian-American, Single and am a grant proposal writer/fundraiser for a multi-services social service agency that serves immigrants and others. Live in Delaware. I used to be an editor for a small local magazine. I like using my writing skills to solve social problems. MJO

tousled1 · 07-28-2006, 05:44 AM

I'm 59 and retired. I retired in July 2005 but not due to breast cancer. I took disability retirement after I had my lumbar spine fused (L3-S1). I had worked for the government and spent 7 1/2 years overseas and after my return to the states decided to pursue a different career. I then worked for the teacher's union until retirement. I have 3 children. My son passed away September 2 ,2002 of leukemia (AML), my youngest daughter is an aspiring actress and lives in Chicago, and my other daughter is the mother of my one and only grandchild - Eli, and lives in Georgia. I relocated to Georgia after I went on disability and currently live with my daughter, son-in-law and grandson. I have no significant other in my life but I do hope to get out on my own again once I complete my treatment. I'm too young to be living with my daughter and her family -- Need to spread my wings while I still can.

simimom · 07-28-2006, 09:10 PM

I'm so glad I found this group. You are all so informative and positive. I'm fairly new to the group -- I've looked but haven't posted much. I just turned 54. I'm single mom of an 18 year old son who will be starting college in August. He has been my "rock -- I've been able to share my decisions re treatment, my fears and concerns with him. I'm a legal assistant with a family law firm in Los Angeles. I've been with my wonderful boss for the last 16 years. I was diagnosed with IBC in January 2005. After chemo, surgery and radiation, I am finished with all my treatment. I was on herceptin for one year (until Feb. 06). I am now concentrating on reconstructive surgery and working full-time. I've also become interested in volunteering for ACS. I enjoy reading, movies, hanging out with friends, and joking about my cancer -- what's the point of having a life threatening disease if you can't joke about it! Aside from the obvious drawbacks (treatment, etc.), this has actually been an eye-opening experience. I have so many new friends. Thank you all.

07-29-2006, 01:01 AM

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dawn · 07-30-2006, 04:46 PM

Hi Rhonda,

ITs so nice to talk about something besides cancer once in awhile. Im an accounting assistant. I only work during the tax season in the year and take the rest of the year off to be with my kids. It works out great for all of us and now its working out even better.
Dawn

Rendi69CA · 07-31-2006, 07:49 PM

I am a certified instrument tech for surgery.

Yorkiegirl · 07-31-2006, 08:05 PM

I have no idea how I ever missed this post.

I am/was a Licensed Veterinary Technician.
I took a LOA when I was diag, with Cancer last year.
So, far I haven't been able to bring myself to go back to work.
I just hate the idea of having to give shot's, do blood draws or assit in surgery on animals after all I have been thru.

Christine MH-UK · 08-04-2006, 02:58 PM

My field is a social science one where running experiments is usually just not practical, but we had to learn all about experiments for controlled trials anyway. Oh well, I guess I've found a use for those skills now.

I have a little three year old, who is a joy, and a husband, who is wonderful. Also, an excellent oncologist.

I read some research once that breast cancer patients who participate in chatrooms are usually people who have a wide circle of friends and everything to live for (I think that the researchers were hoping that it would provide support to people who didn't have other sources of support). I think that this list shows it.

athena453 · 08-04-2006, 10:24 PM

I missed this also!

I work for a wine distributor in the mid Atlantic in brand development and marketing. I was a restaurant GM for several years after college (studied art history). Got sick of the crazy hours.
I live with my boyfriend of 3 years with two cats orange long haired and Siamese!

Found the "lump" myself, (though it was way too large to be a lump!), no family history.

No kids, just my kitties and wonderful boyfriend...he's a keeper!

KathyA · 08-05-2006, 03:41 PM

I am really a new member and happy to be on board.

I have been a teacher for 38 years, second grade through ninth. 22 years in catholic school the rest in inner city public school. The first 32 years were exceptional. The last 20 years of my career I taught computers. Working in an inner city school was good until the last 4 or 5 years. It became difficult to say the least. When my onc called asking me to come in to see him, telling me that I had a hole in my chest, I left that afternoon to see him and never returned to work. (May 5, 2005) With mets to bone, liver and lungs, I took it as a sign that it was time to retire, one of my best decisions. May 5th was 18 months after I finished treatment the first time.

My husband and I just celebrated our 25th anniversary. We have a daughter 23 who is still finding herself. Charles is still teaching in the city of Mount Vernon which is in New York. He's been there for 28 years and still loves it. He also taught 10 years in catholic school. He is an avid tennis player. Plays every day of the week and at this moment is at a tournament in Cape Cod. He is ranked 8th in the men’s 55 USTA mid-Atlantic division.

I kayak, garden, stitch work, build - as to build a side porch, hide a bed, decorative fence. I like building things the best but don’t do that now or kayak either. I’m not strong enough and I’m afraid of cutting myself. I have done that pretty regularly in the past, cut myself that is.

I often have Saturday or/and Sunday breakfast with friends. This is most important to me.

I love the ocean and walking on the beach. We have a newly inherited home there and I have been able to get there twice this summer and hope to make it again soon.

Basically I’ve had chemo every week for the past 14 months.

Thanks everyone for caring and sharing your prayers, best wishes and info.

Val Pfeiffer · 08-06-2006, 08:23 AM

I just changed jobs. I was inspired after my breast cancer diagnosis to go back to work in the field of health care. At the time of diagnosis I was VP of Marketing and Business Development for a financial institution. Four months ago I took a position with the health plan that is part of the integrated health organization that I worked with eight years ago (although at that time I worked in admin for the clinic part of the business). Fortunately I was able to convince the health plan that I could be Director of Product Development at a health plan without any prior health insurance experience. I am learning a lot and I love it. BTW, this is the same health plan to which I submitted the request to go out of network for radiation treatments...I was a member of theirs through my previous employer...but that is a whole different story.

I have two children, Charlie, age 15 and Jane, age 11. In addition to my "day job," I teach Indoor Group Cycling (also known as "Spin") at my local YMCA at 5:00 a.m. three times a week. I also enjoy road biking (although last summer between finishing chemo and undergoing radiation I didn't get out on my bike at all) and graphic design--in my new job I don't do any design work or marketing anymore, so I like to do voluntary design work for non-profits--so I can keep up my skills.