I have been happily married for 251/2 years and have a fantastic 20 year old son. I was back in college to get a degree to teach high school science when in April of 2010 I was diagnosed with stage 1A breast cancer. I was able to complete my spring semester and then underwent a lumpectomy. I dropped all of my summer classes and dropped out of classes for the fall semester and started chemotheropy in June of 2010. I made it through without too much difficulty and started radiation in November of 2010 and also finished 52 weeks of herceptin in June 2011.

Now for the hidden blessing part to my story. When I first felt the lump in my breast it had been less than a year since my last mamogram and because of job changes we had no medical insurance. Fortunately the health department in our county had a program just for womens health screenings. After the diagnoses was confirmed I qualified for a medicade program through the state of Virginia just for breast cancer. If we had had insurance the co-pays would have been very hard on us.

I also changed my major in college to Liberal Arts and Science pre-k thru 6, with a math concentration. If I had not gone through the time off during my treatments I would not have discoverd how much I wanted to teach math.

   I have just a few hobbies. I like to design and make jewelry. I also am a rock collector ( a rock and mineral hobbyist). I enjoy sewing a little and working with children and crafts.

I'm very fortunate to have a husband that is my best friend. Just like all families we have gone through good and bad times but we love each other.  I always had faith that I would get through the breast cancer diagnoses just fine, it seemed as though I often had to keep reassuring my husband. He is the type of person who worries alot and I am not. A good balance.