Diapers, Matchbox Cars, and Lip Gloss
I never expected to live long enough to experience fourteen years as a grandmother. My first grandchild was born in 2009, a few months after my ovarian cancer diagnosis. A decade and a half later, I surround myself with the exquisite joy of playing an active role in my four granddaughters and three grandsons’ lives. Nine year ago, I passed my private hope of surviving five years.
I’ve grown from diapers and bottles to vacation adventures, stuffing matchbook cars, books, and lip gloss in my handbag. Best of all, I’ve watched each child grow into his/her unique self, perfectly imperfect with talents and challenges. My cup runneth over.
I worked professionally for 10 years after my diagnosis, contributing to the development of improved pathways of medical care. But since my retirement four years ago, I’ve lived my lifelong dream of writing and crafting medical historical fiction. I published my debut novel, In the Hands of Women, in May of this year. Its prequel, Threadbare, will be released in May 2024. If that wasn’t enough to fill my bucket, I was recently offered another book deal with my publishing house.
Gratitude is too short a word to express my deep appreciation toward my medical team, hospitals and the innovative therapies discovered during my years fighting cancer. As a long hauler, I’ve had numerous new treatments, all keeping pace with my ever-changing pathology.
Please continue supporting The Matilda Fund at the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance in the next year. Your contributions fuel these advances, opening the floodgates for so many women, like me, struggling with this disease.
My heartfelt thanks,
Jane Loeb Rubin
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