NCCC international chapter

I received word three weeks ago that I had been accepted by the National
Cervical Cancer Coalition (NCCC) as an International Chapter for the
province of Quebec.

I was so thrilled - and I've noticed that if I keep busy and positive; this
helps me thru the day. This week I translated some of their documents into
French; as well as did some research for Canadian statistics related to
cervical cancer here in Canada.

More people need to understand that this silent cancer can be treated with
early detection - and education, detection, prevention and support are all
very important in the survival rate.

It only takes a simple, not pleasant, but brief visit to the doctor's office
for a regular PAP test - and these results are what can make a huge
difference in the detection and cure of cervical cancer.

I am a fighter - and I was lucky -I had a doctor who wanted to take me on as
a patient, and was so thorough and sent me for all kinds of tests, including
a mammogram which I had never had - blood work and the PAP test. Sherbrooke's
own, Dre Raymonde Vaillancourt's vigilance is the reason I am the person I
am today. She sent me to Dr. Bureau, who in turn referred me to Dr.
Bessette, who in turn sent me back to Dr. Bureau and then onto Dr. Nabid. My
three month post-radiation appointment is scheduled for next month where I
am expecting good news.

I have come out of this life experience richer in knowledge, and I want to
share this with other women who do not know about cervical cancer, the risks
and dangers, as well as the preventative measures that can be taken
including vaccination.

Please take the time to make that doctor's appointment and get tested for
HPV and have the PAP test - it can save your life.

For more information about the NCCC and to become a member; please visit:
www.nccc-online.org

Or you can email me at: keryou@ nccc-online.org

Or leave a message at 819.432.4522 and we'll call you back asap

A lifelong dream comes true

I've been a fan of Jackson Browne for many years - heck every since I was a
teenager and I have never been able to attend one of his few concert dates
as he was not a regular visitor to our neck of the woods.

As I am still recuperating from my bout with cervical cancer and the
radiation treatments, and taking it easy, I saw an advertisement on CITY
television out of Toronto that Ottawa was hosting a Blues Festival and
Jackson Browne was one of the performers. I quickly logged onto their
website to see when he would be there; as Ottawa is not that far away. well,
once online came disappointment - he had performed a week ago; another
missed opportunity.

I then went to his newly remodeled website - and saw that he is releasing a
new album in September and is on a kickoff tour. Looking at the dates, I
could not believe what I was reading - Shelburne Museum, on the outskirts of
Burlington, Vt. on that very night.

I began calling to see if tickets were still available - advised Chad who
was just returning from a quick trip to Ohio - and he advised me he was off
as his truck was going to be in the garage for a bit. Checking with his
dispatcher, he got the thumbs up that he was off until the next day. By now,
it was 14:00, and the concert gates opened at 6 and the concert itself began
at 7 with no opening act. Shelburne, Vt., is approximately 3 hours away;
depending on traffic. We had to decide quickly and get moving. Chad took
over the computer and ordered the tickets, grabbed sweaters, and an umbrella
as this was an open air concert. Out the door, into the car, and hit the
highways and byways to get there at 5:55 - presented ourselves to the
makeshift box office tent, picked up our tickets and headed thru the gates,
down across a field, to the front of the stage, and spread out our blanket
and got comfortable for the evening.



What a concert! Jackson Browne is as awesome today as he was so many years
ago - he can still hit the notes and has a great band and backup singers. It
was such a non planned event and enjoyable evening.

He closed the evening with The Pretender - and a curtain call had them back
on stage for Load Out / Stay.

This was, an evening I will never forget - nor will I forget the sacrifice
that Chad made to make this dream of mine come true - as he had to return to
work today - and we never got home until 4 am.

Goosebumps, amazement, I was speechless, the music just took me back in
time, and my problems seemed to be non-existent for that brief moment. Today
is back to reality; tiredness and all, but the memory of this very special
event will never be erased from my mind.

Thanks Chad for making this dream become reality!