Well, since late introductions are becoming popular I guess it is time I add my two-cents.

My name is Janine (hence the nicknamd J9). I am 42 years old and a mother of 4 beautiful children. My oldest 2 sons are 21 and 19, (products of my first marriage) and both are in the Army National Guard. My youngest 2 are product of second marriage, one is a 13 year old daughter the other is a 5 year old son.

I currently live in Tennessee and have lived in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan and Alaska.

Right now I am in Nursing School (as if you all have not heard that one before, haha). My occupation prior to student was Legal Assistant for about 10 years. I did a lot of research into products liability, insurance fraud and medical malpractice. Medical Malpractice interested me the most because so many people want to sue doctors these days. I was the person who studied the medical records to determine if med-mal was indeed committed. I think the main reason that I wanted to go to Nursing School is that Johnny Cochran set up a firm here in Memphis and asked me to work for them and in good conscience could not, so medicine became my passion.

One Saturday morning when I was 31 I woke up to find a lump in my breast. I thought nothing of it really because there was no history of cancer in my family. The only thing I thought was that there was a storm the night before and my daughter came into bed with my husband and I and brought her doll. So, I thought I must have slept on the doll’s hand. Well, come Monday morning I went to the doctor and he sent me for a mamogram. They found a 3cm lump, but totally dismissed it. They told me I was too young for breast cancer, it did not run in my family, and the biggy “breast cancer is not painful.” Mine was painful. After searching 7 doctors I finally found one that would do a fine needle biopsy. When I went in for the results he put his hand on my knee and said “Us doctors have to listen to our patients a little more than we do. You know your own body better than we do.” Yeppers, it was cancer. I chose to have a bilateral radical mastectomy with reconstructive surgery.

After the mastectomy I went through 6 mos of chemo. That was the fun part, really it was. I did not have to shave my legs for 6 mos, needed a new haircut and got that. Chemo did not make me sick, actually made me stronger. I have not even had the slightest cold for 9 years now.

Well, that is the shizzy on me. And life goes on. Hello again to all.

Qualifications

I have spent a total of ten years in medical malpractice research. Duties included, but were not limited to, interviewing clients regarding medical treatment, reviewing medical records to determine if medical malpractice had been committed by physicians, nurses or any health care providers.

After being given the diagnosis of breast cancer in 1997 I have spent much of my spare time learning about the practice of medicine. I have always been interested in a medical career, however, while in high school I did not feel that I would be able to accomplish my goals due to a lack of self-esteem.

I have four children who range in age from 19 to 4. It was through my pregnancies with them, subsequent labors and deliveries, visits to pediatricians offices, many different medications along with my battle against breast cancer that I renewed my interest in the medical field.

I have learned most of what I know through my own practical experience coupled with what I have learned as a mother, a survivor and a researcher to the point that it was suggested to me by the attorneys that I worked for along with my peditrician and my OB/GYN that I go back to school to work in the medical field either as a doctor or a nurse.

I went back to school in 2003 to begin prerequisites for the Nursing Program at my local college. I was inducted into the National Dean’s List for the 2003-2004 year as well as the 2004-2005 year. In October 2005 I was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa International Honors Society. In March of 2006 I applied to my Nursing Department and was chosen along with 47 other students, out of over 300 applicants, to begin the Nursing Program at one of the most competative colleges in West Tennessee.

As stated previously, the majority of my current knowledge was learned on my own with the exception of Anatomy & Physiology, Chemistry and Microbiology, all of which I passed with honors. I currently hold a 4.0 GPA and am an active member of SocPsyety Psychology Club. I participate with my local OB/GYN on a volunteer basis to discuss women’s health with local teens and young women regarding women’s health. I am also a member of the Y-ME Breast Cancer Association. I work on an as needed basis at The Med, a regional trauma center in the Memphis Area.

I hope to work at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in the future.

Janine

P.S. I am now in my final semester of nursing school!!! YAY ME!!

**EDIT**

The latest, I have one semester left of school, and am currently employed at my local hospital in Labor and Delivery as a Nurse Extern. Pinning ceremony is May 2, 2008, with graduation being May 4. NCLEX is right around the corner.

**EDIT**

I have since graduated nursing school and passed my boards. I am now a licensed registered nurse.

J_9

Wow, you have a lot to back you up too!!!!!!!

Still at a size 2? Wow, something we all wish we could have!!!

You have a lot to add here. Keep up the emotional health, many people here can use some help like I am sure you can give.

lovelesspa

THANK YU, so much... I was beginning to lose hope, I truly thought we were butting heads too much and was about to bow out, gracefully, of course.... haha.. but I realize you have alot of experience in your field, and if your still going to school it's all fresh information! Medical science is always expanding and growing and it is a learning experience, medical science as well as nutrition is learning new ideas everyday. What we thought was gospel 5 years ago, will be life threating today. I appreciate your response, truly and now feel more confidence. Agsin, thanks, talk to you soon hopefully!!!!!

J_9

No, no, no, please do not bow out!!! What I have learned so far has come from personal experience or what I have learned on my various legal/medical jobs.

I am only now about to learn more about nutrition. I have many questions to ask about diabetic diets and the like. I learn every day from many different sources.

I too look forward to talking to you soon.

BTW, what is an "exchange"?

bluerose

Janine,

Hello, it’s very nice to meet you. I’m new here and I find your post very open and encouraging. And now I want to go and elaborate on my little two liner introduction. lol

Rose

J_9

Rose, it is wonderful to meet you!!!

Please go ahead and elaborate!!! I would LOVE to hear your story!!

From the few posts you have so far I feel that you are a welcome and wonderful addition to the forum. Hope to hear more from you very soon.

benderpally

I was only 6 weeks but it was my second pregnancy I have a 14 year old.

lovelesspa

Trade off is basically a trade, you don't like one of the choices, options,you go to another group that is equally as nutritionally equitable. I've learned a lot through just life experiences, as well as working as waitress, food preps, in restaurants while supporting myself during college. I received the title of R.D. L.D.N., and have worked in food analysis portion of my field, as well as other fields that are related. Although it took me a long time to recieve this degree, it was worth it, during studies, I had to veared off track alot for money.... in the end it..paidoff. I commend you for all your hard work and your family who must support your endeavors, any field that help people is worthwhile. I love trying to help people see that you can love food and still eat healthy, Especially with the teens, which is where I'm now focused. I have a grandaughter that's 15, cheerleader,(of course) and feels like at 5'7, 115 lbs she's "too Fat"" So I'm still working frantically to put the word out. You have help me immensely J_9!!!!! I'm not sure that alot of people understand, about nutrition, and alot of doctors think that nutrionalist are quacks and as in every field there are quacks, but if you love what you do, you will do it right!!! I come from a family that was totally obese, had high blood pressure, cholesterol, even cancer, I changed my whole life style and eaing habits at 18 and at 52, I am not too shabby, I'm not on any meds, have a geat weight for my 5"8 frame and after having 4 kids, truly believe that it is also in your own hands, diet and exercise are the key!!! Pass the word out !!!

1953hassan

thanks a lot Janine for the detailed story of success and firm determination. one nice comment asked about the name Janine and i would love to answer that the word means in arabic ( gardens) and sure you are more than a fruitfully garden. best regards

J_9

Wow, Hassan, I did not know that about my name. I appreciate that, really I do.

Thank you, you made me smile!!!!!!!!

J_9

Ashley, I am going to put your mind at ease here!!!

Breast cancer is genetic. There are few outside sources that contribute to breast cancer, and stress is currently being studied as a possible contributor.

To answer your questions:

Wearing a bra to bed at night will only prolong sagging. My 13 year old wears hers 24/7.

Sleeping on your stomach, you are kidding right? LOL, if that were the case then 75% or more of women would have breast cancer.

Getting kicked in the breast from fidgity little ones? Nah, that is only painful for a short while.

There are new studies out that have proven that since women were taken off of hormone replacement therapies after menopause in 2002 or 2003, I think it was, that the rate of breast cancer has declined tremendously.

So, breast cancer is largely genetic and hormones contribute in part to its occurrance.

Now, mind you there are 2 types of breast cancer - estrogen receptive and non-estrogen receptive. Estrogen receptive means that if you are genetically predisposed then estrogen levels will contribute. I had extrogen receptive, after my mastectomy and chemo I was no longer able to use any form of birth control since birth control contains estrogen. I got pregnant 5 years ago, I was watched very closely because pregnancy causes estrogen levels to rise.

If a woman has estrogen receptive breast cancer then the cancer can possibly come back in 5 other organs if estrogen levels rise to a high concentration level.

I hope this helped.