My name is Carol Hoffman. I’ve learned that there is nothing certain in life and instead of dwelling on the negative, it’s important to pay the good in life forward.
Diagnosed in June 2000, my retirement from 30 years of teaching took an unexpected turn. My doctor tried to be encouraging, telling me that mine was the best kind of breast cancer to have, but my first tearful thought was “what’s good about cancer?”
Cancer-free eight years later, I now understand what my doctors were telling me, and I have been working on paying back all of the good things that have happened in my life.
I have spoken to many groups in my area to encourage every woman to get her yearly mammogram. It makes my day when someone calls and says “Carol, you can quit pestering me now, my mammogram is scheduled.”
As a Reach to Recovery Volunteer, I support other women who have also been diagnosed with breast cancer by listening to them, providing them with American Cancer Society information and sending each a card handmade by me.
I’m even paying it forward with youth cancer patients, having volunteered at St. Jude’s affiliate at OSF St. Francis to teach these special children crafts.
My message to all is to be positive. Live each day to the fullest. Use your talents to help others. And pay back the good in your life to make others lives better.
Paying It Forward
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says ... on Tuesday, Sep 16 at 6:31 PM
Good job, Grandma. You are a great example for me and my little cousins. Love, Josh
says ... on Tuesday, Sep 16 at 8:44 AM
Congratulations on being cancer free! Keep up the good work in your community!
says ... on Tuesday, Sep 16 at 7:11 AM
Wow! Such a tremendous lesson - not only for cancer patients ... but ALL of us! Too easy to loose sight of those little things! Way to go - Janet's Mom!!!!!
says ... on Monday, Sep 15 at 8:16 PM
Way to go, Mom! I'm proud of you.
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