Feb. 2005: I found a lump while taking a shower, then waited 2 weeks for reality to kick in and get myself to the Dr. Within 22 hours of a needle biopsy I was told, "you have breast cancer." A third stage diagnosis, lumpectomy and 19 lymph nodes taken, chemo, and radiation; then pushing myself to exercise all winter to get my body back to whatever my new "normal" was going to be. In summer 2006 I went into congestive heart failure (CHF). I was in good physical shape, and that is what saved me; the chemo had attacked my heart valves. It is now 8-31-09 and I am back to the everyday of living. I keep to a very low salt diet, and live my days involved with family, friends, and my passion since CHF, glass fusing, and enjoying all the great women that have come into my life through that interest. I'm impatient to hit the 5 year mark so I can say, "I did it!" and yet every day is a milestone for me. Dust bunnies, unfolded laundry and dishes can pile up, as I'm the first one to say, "Let's go, let's do it!" when an opportunity comes up to go, do, experience, and live life in the moment. Being a survivor makes me realize how precious every day is...

Janis T. Piper
Creswell, OR