Breast Cancer Patient Takes Readers Along on Her Very Personal Journey



In the first week of January 2006, Sharon Asher-Phelps received the diagnosis, 's8220;You have breast cancer.'s8221; Not words anyone ever wants to hear, especially a self-employed businesswoman without health insurance.

Starting in the March issue of Ladybugflights, in the column 's8220;The Breast Journal's8221; Asher has invited us along on her journey. From the initial mammogram through her lumpectomy and on through radiation and chemotherapy, she shares in generous detail the story of her life since that diagnosis and the ongoing frustrations of her adventure.

Along the way she shares a discovery of vital importance to every woman in California: there is a program in the state of California that provides health insurance for women with breast and cervical cancer, the BCCCTP program. Not widely known, this program helped alleviate her financial worries, and is available to every Californian who needs it.

In the August issue, Asher describes her experiences with chemotherapy. Even in this situation, her humor and joy in life shine through, as in this little incident she describes:

's8220;My son wanted to do something to help me out, so I sent him to the grocery store with my list. He comes home bearing all high priced organic fruits and veggies, and all named brand items. Oh my heavens -- but he helped me out, and he wanted me to have pure non pesticide foods. Funny, I'sve just had Draino poured into my veins, but I'sm now eating an organic orange to help me stay healthyI had to laugh.

In her writing, Asher does not sugarcoat the realities of her situation. She describes in detail the side effects she experiences, the abdominal pain and bloating, the bone and joint pain and other side effects that accompany this life-saving treatment.

To keep up with what is happening in the life of this vital and persistent woman, read her column in the August issue of Ladybugflights and those to come.

About the Author:
Besides writing 's8220;The Breast Journal's8221; for Ladybugflights, Sharon Asher-Phelps owns and operates a skin-care business, Image Enrichment Group, located in Cupertino, California.





Breast Cancer Patient Takes Readers Along on Her Very Personal Journey