I am a cancer survivor, times two. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2004 after a regularly scheduled mammogram indicated a mass in my right breast. I chose to use the physicians in Lufkin. I had surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatments in Lufkin. In October of 2006, once again at a scheduled mammogram, I was informed of a ''suspicious-looking" mass in my left breast. It was breast cancer, a different type, and again I chose to have surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatments in Lufkin. I had a wonderful team of physicians and didn't have to go to Houston to find them. Beginning with Dr. Brian Spore, my primary physician, who put me in touch with surgeon Dr. Darryl Meyer. I liked him so well I went back the second time. I met after surgery with Dr. Munir Ahmad and his staff for chemotherapy. I went to Dr. Sidney Roberts and his staff at Arthur Temple Cancer Center for radiation treatments.

Having cancer of any kind and going through surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatments is terrible, but the doctors and their staffs made it as comfortable as it could be. We have wonderful and knowledgeable physicians in East Texas, so why go anywhere else?

I want to thank all the physicians, nurses and staff members that I have met in my five-year journey for their caring, compassion and support. God was and is with me at all times, and I also have the love, support and prayers of so many people. My family was there for me, as well as my employer and staff. They even threw me a "Pink Party" to celebrate the end of my treatments.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and I want to thank everyone who helped. You will never know what it has meant to me. I will continue to count every day on this earth as a blessing and a privilege. I have been blessed with many things; my family and all my friends are truly wonderful.

, Hudson