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Cancer Can't Stop Schooling

Breast Cancer Patient Keeps Up With Classes

POSTED: 11:15 am MDT October 3, 2008

Norma Garcia is a 36-year-old woman who lives in El Paso, Texas.

I was enrolled in school when I found out I had cancer a year ago. At first, I wanted to quit, but my husband encouraged me to keep going. That way, I was going to have my mind occupied with something else and not think about the cancer so much.

I went through a series of surgeries. First, the doctor removed the tumor. When it was sent to pathology, it was discovered that it was malignant. Then I had a second surgery to scrape out whatever was left, and the doctor found another tumor. Then I had lymph nodes removed. Then I had a port-a-cath inserted to receive chemotherapy.

Since I was in school at the time, I was getting my surgeries on Fridays, rest on Saturdays and Sundays, and going back to school on Mondays. It was hard, but I did it!

I graduated from a medical assisting program and was already wearing a wig, had no hair and was going through horrible muscular pains due to chemotherapy.

I am now the 24/7 mom of two daughters, ages 9 and 7. I hope I will get a job soon.

I still receive chemotherapy, but other than that I am in good health.

I want people to know that it doesn't matter if you have no cancer history in your family, you can still get diagnosed with cancer. I am living proof of it.

I will keep fighting because I have two beautiful daughters and a loving husband who have been with me through this hard ordeal. I have learned that no matter how much pain and depression you are going through, positive attitude is something you want to have no matter what!

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