I was assisting in surgery, while in nursing school.
A young mother with a baby, only a few weeks old, was having a mastectomy, and
I was assisting in removing this young women's breast.

(I know we really don't like to think about breast cancer.
And I, personally use to *despise* doing the self exams on myself.
The thought of discovering a possible lump was almost paralyzing.
I would skip many months living in this wonderfully pretentious state of mind....
"If you don't exam...than you won't find the lump, and all will be well.)

Reality SMACKED me that day.
That night I discovered a lump in my own breast, that lead to my mastectomies (s).
One of my mastectomies was an *elected prevention* mastectomy.

That young mother.... she saved my life, but she did not live to see her baby walk.
I vowed to let her story be known, and through that extend,
her life-work here on this earth will continue in helping others.

I was in my 30's, the year 1990, and in nursing school,
when the cancer was discovered.
Me NOW, a Seventeen (17) Year Survivor.

I am PROUD to say I am 55 years old.

Scott and I ....RACE FOR THE CURE.

In SPITE of CANCER....
You can see I Graduated from Nursing School,
AGE 38 years old.

Husband, Scott, and I.

Daughters, Christa, Jes, and husband Scott at the 2007 Susan G. Komen "Race for the Cure".