Sharon's Profile

Where to begin...I guess in the start I was 16 and it was discovered that I had Hodgkin's Disease. I would neeed numerous surgeries, chemotherapies, and radiation. But I survived but my body was ravaged by the harsh treatment of the therapies. My future problems would somehow be connected to the first cancer. I would have a 16 lb tumor removed resulting in a hysterectomy and then thyroid cancer. And other ailments were diabetes, hypertension, chronic fatigue, and chronic bronchitis. Just to mention a few. At 46, I am definitely wore out! But with all of this, I had numerous miracles in my life. The cancer left a few months behind in enrolling at Penn State and I met my husband, Jim, in a history class. I am a bigger PSU fan for just that reason. Jim has been the best husband and greatest friend. He is, in just one person, the best support network a girl could have. We also had the opportunity to adopt a beautiful young child who has been the light in our marriage and made us complete. My daughter Josie is a true reminder each day of God's gifts to us. Through tragedy come the most delicate and beautiful miracles and she is definitely his blessing each day! Now, we have aortic stenosis. This is a result from the radiation treatments and the valves are fibrous--just like the pelvic tumor. I am tired and scared. I can say that this surgery scares me the most and is challenging me each day. I am not looking forward to this at all!