Just for fun...

[Val Pfeiffer]

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.

[Marlys]

This is without a doubt my favorite thread so am bringing it forward.
Marlys

[SusanV]

Great Idea & Amazing Women !

***********************
I was dx at age 37 on August 3, 2006 and celebrated my 11 year wedding anniversary two days later to my soul mate Chris. Ours was a love a first sight story, and the fairy tale continues....... We have two beautiful children ,my son Christopher John (CJ ) age 9 and my daughter Caroline age 6. My son is into his Playstation II and playing flag football, and my daughter is taking her first year of dance classes. I am an avid animal lover, and have a 2 year old golden retriever named Patrick..He is definatley part of the family. My office at work has as many pictures of the dog as the family !

I am very close to my parents and my only brother who is also the best friend a sister could have. He has been an enoromous support to me, went with me to my appointments, researched on the web and continues to call me everyday to check in. My mother is not handling my dx all too well, but I think in time she will do better. My family is known for our sense of humor which I think will pull us all through ! My husband works for the State of PA and has exceptional health care benefits (Thank goodness), he has also taken time off to help me, and is now trading places with me at home to take care of all the laundry, house work, running the kids everywhere etc....

I have a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration with a minor in Marketing. I have been with the same company for the past 14 Wonderful years...Two years ago I received an amazing promotion and broke into the good old "boys" network. I am a regional manager responsible for 8 of our accounts. I am the only woman regional manager in my office, and take great pride in always being able to run with the big dogs. I LOVE my career, and I pray that I never have to give it up. I am one of those people who perfers managing the demands of both work & home together. I was off work for the first month of my DX and work was both supportive & understanding. I was very lucky that way.

I love reading in my spare time, drink way too much coffee (until the dx) and am your typical Type A over achiever....
I love this site and many thanks to Joe & Christine...

[Vanessa]

I have a Master's Degree in Social Work and am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I am currently working part-time as an adjunct faculty teaching sociology and social work. Previously, I have worked in foster care and as a therapist at a psychiatric hospital. I also worked as an on-call screener for a crisis center, but had to stop, because my sleep cycle got off track due to being called out in the middle of the night a lot.

I got the opportunity to teach Death and Dying this summer, (initially thought I wasn't going to be able to do it, because of my bc and my dad's end-stage Alzheimers), but it turned out to be a good experience and helped me deal with my dad's passing, incidentally the day before I gave the final exam in the class. My sister and I were fortunate enough to be with him when he died. He experienced a peaceful death. He simply stopped breathing. It was bittersweet as he had no quality of life.

I have 2 grown daughters. The oldest is 25 and has a degree in Corporate Communications. Her and her husband recently celebrated her 1st wedding anniversary and are thinking of starting a family. My youngest daughter is taking her nursing prerequisites at a local community college. They have always been an inspiration to me, especially now. I also have some furry family members, 3 dogs and 2 cats. I am an animal lover.

My husband and I were divorcing when I found out that I have Stage IV bc, so we have tabled the divorce for now. He is working in another city, but comes home a couple of times of month on the weekend. He doesn't seem to really know how to deal with this illness.

I am trying to stay positive and be proactive by making some healthy choices, but there are times when I feel really afraid and don't know that to expect. This board is helping me to feel more hopeful. I am having my follow-up catscan and petscan this week after my first round of treatment, so I am particularly nervous.

[kat in the delta]

Vanessa,
WHAT perfect timing your note was for me !!! You sounded so sad, tho, but I can relate.......my husband ignores me ........and my cousin who thought "I" had cancer soo bad and didn't know what to tell me, has ended up soo much worse than me. He is in stage 4 and has just stopped all chemo and rads as his bladder cancer has spread throughout his bones...and now popping up everywhere..He can know longer get out of the bed and I think he may be getting hospice. He is pretty much out of it, and I AM SO SAD about him......((.I know my husband is just sick of all of this eventho' he is in the healthcare field.)).....Can you help me out with my feelings about my cousin who is a few yrs. younger than me, ..... you said you were TEACHING the end of life ....???? His mom is there with him and his wife and( 2 children)-10-girl and 12-boy. I am so upset....he is about 2 hrs away and went to the BEST clinic.....now is he pretty much sedated....kat in the delta

[Vanessa]

Hi Kat,

I am so sorry to hear about your cousin's situation. I will gather up some information for you and forward it to you. One of the best sources for dealing with grief is Kubler-Ross. I have a full day of catscan and work tomorrow, so it might be the next day before I can get to it. I will not forget. In the meantime, best wishes.

[kat in the delta]

Vanessa,
Hope your catscans are clear !!! Please remember to send me info. on end of life & possibly griefing soon to follow. Where do I find that info of ?-Ross you mentioned??kat in the delta