My name is Dee. I have always been an advocate to be heart healthy. Avoid stress, as it has a negative impact on every organ. Raising three beautiful children, with special needs, by myself certainly kept me on my toes every day.

 

Working in the field of education nearly 20 years allowed me to help others stay positive, create and achieve goals. Rewarding as this was for me, I decided to switch careers to my second most favorite passion. To help animals and help educate their owners in recognizing illness. I can spend my days loving on a new puppy, share ideas on how to feed an ill cat, or helping loved ones say goodbye to their best friend for 20 years.

 

No matter how much goodness we may extend during our adult lives, nothing can prepare you for a diagnosis of cancer. I now spend days wondering how am I going to feel tomorrow. How will I make it through the next 10 weeks or so of treatment. What side effects could I expect to suffer? I've spent a lifetime giving to my family, my children, and my community. Now I'm having to put myself first. As odd as this is for me, I'm also concerned about my 17 year old, special needs, daughter who I will be so dependant on for the upcoming months during treatment and recovery. I have promised her and myself I will work everyday while in treatment. Reality is I am uncertain if I'll be healthy enough to do just that. Whether I will be too tired through all of my treatment or will fatigue hold me down midway. Either way, this is a huge responsibility I'm placing on my daughter. It would be rewarding if she doesn't have the extra burden of unpaid expenses on top of everything else.