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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.
WOW. Thank you SO much for posting this, and being so open.. You know now that I am terrified, I have had a painful lump that has changed shape and grown, Dr.s told me the same thing,, " cancer doesn't hurt" I had a mammogram and they could not confirm or deny cancer.. “Most likely it's not, but we don't know what it is" And I DO have a family history. My maternal grandmother had a mastectomy and most of her lymph nodes removed,
I am one of those people that if I ignore it, it will go away. (As far as MY physical health goes)
I will be scheduling an appointment to be biopsied first thing Monday morning!
I hope you are going for a fine needle biopsy. It does not hurt at all.
I, however, knew right away that something was wrong but could not get anyone to listen.
I would not have the lumpectomy because I was afraid that if they left one teeny-tiny cell that it would come back, and radiation totally SUCKS!!!! I also looked at it this way:
I was tiny on top - this way I could get bigger and insurance would pay for it.
I am a survivor and a fighter, I fought this and won basically by using humor. I believe that humor can help cure almost everything. Call me Patch Adams Jr., but I believe there is truth in how emotions can heal.
If anything happens and you need to talk, feel free to PM me.
P.S. Don't be terrified, everything happens for a reason. Although I am rather new here, I will help you through the whole process. Consider me a friend.
All of my lymph nodes were removed, it is a matter of precaution to see if the cancer has metastisized.
I never even gave a lumpectomy a consideration. My thought was "if I buy something at Wal-Mart and it does not work, do I keep it or take it back?" Take it back of course, take my breasts and give me new good ones.
hi janine!
i admire your spirit.
we have breast cancer in our family:my grandmother, my aunt, her daughter, and my mother.
i do my regular share of check ups, and hope for t he best.
and, yes, humour is the best medicine, ever!
hugs to you and amy -from whom i hope to hear good news.
millie (=ahuva)
I was told that I would never have feeling in the nipple area and I said, "Alright, at least I won't get high beams in the freezer isle in the grocery store again"
Some of my docs have me speak to newly diagnosed patients, and, at least for me, it is theraputic.
Not only do your regular check-ups, don't forget your monthly exams that you do yourself at home. VERY IMPORTANT LADIES!!!!!!!!!!!
Janine,
How very very lovely to be able to fill in more details to the impressions I have had all along, that you are a trooper and SUCH a good spirited one at that!! Thank you for sharing that with us.
Thanks so much for sharing your story, Janine! I like your username J_9... I was wondering what it represented, haha. Anyways sounds like you are a strong person and you've led a very interesting life so far.
Since you are a breast cancer survivor and have a pink ribbon avatar, I was wondering if you are interested in a pink ribbon quarter? They are a special issue here in Canada, a quarter with a center that features a pink ribbon. I have a few and would be willing to mail you one if you'd like. Just let me know. Unless of course, you can get them in the States... I'm not sure. I'm attaching a pic of the quarter.
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