Joelene Case

Survivor

For the past 16 years I have been an advocate for breast cancer awareness. Think pink! I always knew the what, when, where, why and how but I never knew the who until last November…My mom has been taking care of others her whole life. Whether it’s work, family, friends or even strangers; she has always been a giver. On November 21st, 2018 she was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer at the age of 66, on the same day she retired after 30 years of being a registered nurse in the emergency room. What a way to retire? As an only child it is extremely hard on me because it is literally just the two of us. Even though I’m 36 years old and working full-time, it’s just not enough. We get  assistance with food stamps but my paycheck and her retirement funds are not enough to make ends meet. Thank God she has decent health insurance but we are now dealing with her going through radiation and hopefully no chemotherapy.