(OCT 15) It was my day off from my regular day job in October of 1989--I was home at the time, in my music room, working on some material, that I was using in my [then] current band---I was not a police officer at this time, but on the list to become one.

The phone rang, and I was surprised to receive a phone call from my physician. In fact, it may have been the first time a doctor had ever called me directly, as it was usually a nurse or a receptionist that would make those phone calls.

My physician proceeded to tell me that the results of my needle biopsy that he had taken from my left breast had been complete, and he needed to give me the results. It still did not occur to me, why a doctor would be calling me directly. He then asked me if there was anyone in the house with me, and I told him that there was a family member [My then husband, who left me during chemotherapy].

After being assured that someone was in the house, he told me that I had breast cancer. I cannot begin to tell you the flood of feelings from disbelief, to this ‘must be a nightmare---and I will wake up anytime’---to the fear that is so insurmountable it is almost indescribable.

Here I was---former pro boxer, black belt in Karate, police officer to be, known for my toughness, determination, and perseverance in whatever I pursued---reduced to a fearful, pathetic soul, not knowing what in the world to do. I also had extreme sadness over my children—their future, with or without me.

I went from feeling sorry for myself, to anger and hopelessness. I wish I could tell people that I was brave, but I was not. Every hour on chemotherapy felt like a day. I was losing control of my life and my future.

One day while still going through Chemo, and needing to have more surgery, I confided to one of my physicians [Plastic Surgeon] that I was disappointed because, I was on the verge of being offered a police officer position, and I would now not be able to take the position. I went on to say, that it was “ironic” that I worked for so many years to achieve that goal, and that just as it was within my reach---I would have to turn it down.

What surprised me though was his unexpected response to my negative comment by saying, “Why can’t you take the job?”

That day was the turning point in my survival.

I realized that there was nothing stopping me from taking that job--except me. A couple of weeks after that conversation with my doctor, the Chief of Police called me and offered me the police officer position. I knew for certain that when I told him about my [then] current medical condition, that he would tell me “Thanks, but no thanks.” To my amazement, he still offered the job.

I want to dedicate this 17th year as a breast cancer survivor, to those of you who have experienced this disease, and say that there is, “Life after Breast Cancer.”

There are so many things that I have done after going through this disease that have included, becoming a police officer, going through the Oregon police academy during that chemo treatment, returning to college throughout the years, learning the alto saxophone (an instrument that I love dearly), and lastly developing WBAN that has now been live on the net since 1998.