Every Thursday I volunteer my time to a local Oncology physician and her Breast Health Clinic. It involves taking vital signs and assessing women who come to the clinic for updates on their Breast Cancer. Some are newly diagnosed women, some are survivors and one of the patients happens to be a male. Doing this for free totally makes me feel fulfilled. I feel that I am giving back. Some of these women have totally inspired me. Their sheer determination. Their courage. Their strength. When I heard that this physician was going to begin doing this clinic, I had to jump on board. It is so admirable to see a physician who is donating HER time for such a great cause. She charges no fees for seeing these patients. She assists them in getting life prolonging medication such as Tamoxifen and Zoladex for free and lab testing and radiology tests are handled on a "whatever you can pay a week or month basis."

Breast Cancer has never directly affected me before. My family history for this disease is basically non existant. But it is a cause, I support so much. Women are the strongest of human beings. They bring forth life into this world and have to assume so many roles in today's world. All of my best friends.....are women.

I recently finished reading an autobiography entitled "Before I Say Goodbye". It is a book filled with recollections and observations from one woman's final year. Her name...Ruth Picardie. Ruth Picardie was thirty-three years old when she died, a month after her twins' second borthday and just under a year after she was diagnosed with breast cancer. For Ruth, a journalist, it seemed natural to write about her illness. She published only seven columns for "OBSERVER LIFE" magazine before she became too sick to continue, but her moving,funny and very human account drew a HUGE response from readers all over England. "Before I Say Goodbye" contains these column entries with responses from readers. It contains e-mails to and from her friends during this period. Letters to her children and reflections by her husband and her sister. This is such a courageous and moving book, entirely devoid of self pity that celebrates the triumph of a brave and wonderful woman's spirit. Go and get it. Now, I am reading "Further Along The Road Less Traveled" The Unending Journey Toward Spiritual Growth by M. Scott Peck,M.D.