To write my story I would need 1000 words but will cut it short.
It all started in October of 2006. I had a complete left-sided stroke and was admitted to a great hospital; they also diagnosed left-sided breast cancer. No one wants to admit that they knew something was wrong, but I did. Enough said, and to this day, will never know if one lead to the other. It was a a very difficult 30 days in the hospital. I received tons of therapy and my family gave me the support I needed to go on. I left the hospital 30 days later, walking with a cane. Finding that there are always others worse than you and seeing little children with cancer was a wake-up call for me. Thank the Lord I was right-handed, tho.
After release from the hospital, I had four rounds of chemo, a mastectomy with lymph node removal, and 33 rounds of radiation. Lymphedema resulted. My husband was my savior as he stood by me, attending to my every need. He and my two children were my strength to get through.
On a separate note, I started driving again, in Fall of 2009. On the day before New Years Eve Day, someone ran a red light and totalled my vehicle. The airbag went off and I sustained 9 fracture ribs. I literally thought I would die as they had to pry me out of my car. Then I had to recover, in a sense, all over again. I've had to purchase another car and, lo and behold, I am back to driving again.
It has now been three years and I am cancer free. For that I thank the Lord I want to be a good example for others. God helps those that help themselves.
Franklin, WI