During my life I have been very healthy. I guess I took it for granted. Never missed a school day or very rarely.

When I was 15 years old, I started smoking. In my defence, we were very nieve in those days... smoking was grown up and sophicated. Oh well, enough of that. I stopped smoking after about 20 years. I didn't think I was any the worse for wear.

Life went on still healthy I figured. I just had all the health checks for good measure. Never thought anything would ever come of them. Because of course, I was always very healthy. Never sick, I had a hystrectoary in my forties, and some repair work done in my sixties...that was it for surgeries.

I was working in my sixties 3 days a week and collecting social seculrity. My husband was also working and collecting social security.

My husband had been battling heart trouble since he was forty eight. He was having heart surgeries and back surgeries and neck surgeries and so on through now. I was busy trying to keep our finances together.

Before we were sixty five I carried the medical insurance on both of us because His job did not have benifits, and because I was the healthy one. All was still good.

I had my breast exams every year. I had a breast biopsy in my forties but nothing came of it. Never thought of it again. Then in 2002, November, I had my regular breast exam, at the hospital where I had been working. I knew all the girls that were doing the exam. They were being so thorough, but I hadn't thought about it much.

After the exam came back they sent me for a biopsy. I still didn't wory about it because I had one before and nothing came of it. When I went to get the results of the biopsy, the doctor came in said "you have cancer you know" "No I don't know that" I said. "Well it is the size of a walnut". he said "How could that be I never missed a test" I said. "It's a very fast growing cancer and we must take care of it right away" he said

Now it is December 2002 on New Years eve day, and I am having a lumpectomy. They also took ten lympth nodes to be sure that it did not spred. I had not spred so that was good.

Here comes the scarey parts. I am suppose to have Cemo and Radiation treatments. I was so afraid of the cemo treatments that I was only going to have the radiation and that was it. Of course, my Husband, with a clear head, talked to me and I was going to have the Cemo too.

The cancer center sends you to meetings to make you aware of what might happen because of the treatments. That way you are not too shocked. The Cemo for Breast cancer makes all your hair fall out (all you hair) your nails will split and nausa maybe vomitting. It is the second day, after the treatment, you are sick for the rest of the week. You just start feeling better and it is time for another treatment.

I had a cemo treatment every three weeks for three hours of IVs. During this time my friend Ethel, sat with me through the treatments. I had three of those treatments and then I had six weeks of radiation treatment. They were every day for 1 /2 hour treatments. No nausia, just fetigue.

In between the treatments they checked my blood to make sure I had enough white cells. If you do not, they give you shots in the stomach to build up your blood. You can not have treatments if your blood is not right.

During this whole time, I am still working. I had to work because I was carrying the Insurance. My job was great to me during this time. I could work when I was able and sit when I needed.

All of 2003 I was sick. I have had a lot of good things that came out of this time. Strangers offered me help. Family and friends gathered to comfort me. I had quite a few talks with God.

I decided to right some wrongs with people. A lot of positive things came out of this bad time. How wonderful my husband is. Our children and grand children are a real joy.

You don't really appreciate good health, family and friends until you take the time to see it.

This is nine years cancer free. I still go to have a yearly check up. DO NOT MISS YOUR EXAMS!

Thats it for now... see you soon?