I was diagnosed on June 20, 1988.

Maureen

I was originally diagnosed with Breast Cancer at the age of 37 in 1988. I had a radical mastectomy then was told I was cured after 5 years of doctors' visits.

My breast cancer came back in 1994. After having crippling back pain for 9 months, I was eventually sent for a CT Scan, and the Metastatic Breast Cancer was diagnosed.

I have been having chemotherapy for the past twelve years on and off - mostly on. I now have weekly Herceptin and Navelbine, and the good news is the Navelbine is actually working.

I have been bald 7 times, have had the dental problems caused by Zometa and have just this September had two Pluerodesis operations on both lungs which successfully removed all the fluid which had built up there from years of chemotherapy.

I live 90 klms from Sydney in NSW Australia and go to a private hospital for my weekly treatment. I continue to work full time and am just happy to be a survivor and not a victim.

Please click on the title of the song in order to hear the music.

I Hope You Dance

Click on the vocal file of this song, but it takes longer to download.

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leaves you empty handed

I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

I hope you dance

I hope you dance

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Living might mean taking chances, but they're worth taking
Lovin' might be a mistake, but it's worth making

Don't let some hell bent heart leave you bitter
When you come close to selling out, Reconsider
Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

I hope you dance
(Time is a wheel in constant motion, always)

I hope you dance
(Rolling us along)

I hope you dance
(Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder)

I hope you dance
(Where those years have gone)

I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

Daaaaaaaaance

I hope you dance

I hope you dance
(Time is a wheel in constant motion, always)

I hope you dance
(Rolling us along)

I hope you dance
(Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder)

I hope you dance
(Where those years have gone)

Dance
Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder

Dance
Where those years have gone

* * * * * * * * *

Recorded by Lee Ann Womack
Written by Mark Sanders and Tia Sillers
Backup vocals by Sons of the Desert