Just for fun...

This is a wonderful Forum for us all to express ourselves. I have either volunteered or worked in the health field for women. In the early 80,s while living in Dallas, I helped with the start up of the Susan Komen Foundation by helping women who did not have insurance get mammograms at Parkland Hospital. My Husband was COO of Parkland at the time. From there I worked for 2 Gyn Oncologists until we moved to Florida. I then worked at a Breast Center in Miami part time until 1998. Our youngest went off to college, we have 3 wonderful children and 4 Grandchildren, so my husband and I decided to move to a Country Club Community in Delray Beach. Several of us in our community started making Breast Cancer Bracelets to sell and a yearly golf tourny to raise money for Cancer Reaseach. Little did I know that 2 years later, in 2003, I would be diagnosed with BC........How it hits home! My community and Country Club has been absolutely wonderful, raising more money each year. It has become like a full time job to several of us.

My Husband has been wonderful and stayed home for 2 months helping me decide what to do but he had to return to work which included traveling (he helps hospitals that are in financial trouble) so my daughter who lives in Dallas and her 2 children moved in with me for 7 months during treatment. She litteraly gave up her life so I wouldn't be alone. I just had to mention how important family and support is, especially at a time like this and how grateful I am to have it. This site is part of this wonderful support system.

Thank you all for sharing.
Diane Nathan
Diagnosed at 55 in 2003

[Marlys]

Just bringing it forward again!
Marlys

[madubois63]

I never saw this thread and am glad to learn about everyone. I see a lot of you are/were in the health care field. I once read something about artificial light being a culprit...also someone mentioned chemicals.

I worked in the printing industry for nearly 20 years. Not blaming anyone, but I am sure that the stuff I worked with was not good for me. I started at 18 as a part time secretary (should have stayed that way) for a small printing company...before long, I was operating a huge camera that needed two rooms - one room for the actual camera where I loaded artwork that was to be printed and the dark room where I loaded large sheets of film (20 x 24) and then developed the negatives. I mixed chemicals and used large open trays for developing for years. I also burned plates (for the presses) and developed them with more chemicals. After getting married and having two babies to care for, I worked at a gym running the nursery. Hectic, but good job to have when you have kids...I brought my kids with me. when the kids started school so did I...I worked at a teacher's aide so that I had off when the kids had off. As they got older, I decided it was time to go back to work full time. I took a job at another print shop. My husband and I divorced at that time and then I was diagnosed with IBC. After chemo, I received SSD and was able to stay at home and recoup from surgery and radiation. I then went to college and finally earned my Associates in Paralegal Studies {with honors }. I did an internship at a great firm that ended up offering me a job. I handled divorce cases and loved my job. I also continued on with school, working towards my Bachelors and did bankruptcies on the side. And then came the cough...Since the relapse I have not worked. Now my official job is surviving and taking care of the kids (my son is 16, my daughter is almost 15 and my baby is a Bernese Mountain dog). I now spend my time going to the oncology center, cleaning and cooking, reading, surfing the net, painting glass, support groups, Reiki and I just started drawing again.