Dorothy

My name is Dorothy and I am a new volunteer for Michelle's Place in public relations. It is a rewarding way to give back to Michelle's Place for all they have done for me while I was going through breast cancer treatment last year. The Wellness Program was fun and I began to get acquainted with other women, the seminars are informative, and the staff and office volunteers have been caring and supportive of my needs.

My husband, Bob, and I grew up in small towns in Nebraska. We met in Lincoln when I was in the University of Nebraska. After graduation we were married and Bob also graduated from the U. of N. several years later. Omaha was our home for five years, and we adopted our son there. With a transfer from Bob's employer, we moved to Tennessee where we adopted our daughter. After living in Tennessee for seven years, we relocated to Orange, California, followed by a move to Murrieta in 1993. A few years later I began to read in the newspaper about Michelle's Place and their services to those with breast cancer. The article was clipped and tucked away for future reference.

In my late twenties, I felt a lump in my breast - a cyst which was drained. My mother died from cervical cancer when I was 31. After her death, I was diligent about getting pap smear tests and mammograms annually. When I was in my mid-fifties, I found a lump again. It was a benign tumor. In October of 2008 I had a mammogram which was followed by an ultra sound, a visit to my doctor, a consultation with surgeon, and the breast biopsy which was positive. Surgery was in November 2008 - a modified mastectomy of my right breast including the removal of seven lymph nodes. Four chemotherapy treatments were received in the spring of 2009, followed by radiation during the summer.

Now I am a breast cancer survivor! I look forward to continuing as a volunteer for Michelle's Place. Thank you for all you do and for allowing me to help.

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