Woman believed 9/11 cleanup caused disease
By Bianca Cain 
Staff Writer - The Augusta Chronicle
Friday, Sept. 9, 2011
(view original post on the The Augusta Chronicle)

As Cindy Mahoney laid dying of multiple respiratory illnesses, she begged for an autopsy. The Aiken woman who had never smoked in her life said her volunteerism at ground zero caused her disease, but she wanted to prove it.

Instead of Interstitial Cystitis becoming a curse for me it has become a life-changing gift.  I was devastated and angry when first diagnosed in 1983.  Then I was relieved to have a name for what plagued my every waking minute and interrupted my sleep.   In-between potty breaks I decided to fight rather than give up.  I went back to school and got my Master’s degree in Social Work.  I opened a holistic private practice and began to counsel among others, “IC” patients offering them hope and encouragement.  Creative ways to deal with pain emerged.

On August 28th while going through a divorce I was diagnosed with colon cancer and required surgery. While working to quickly close down my practice, I suffered a number Transient Ischemic Attacks (“mini strokes”) requiring carotid artery surgery a week after colon resection surgery. I was grateful I made preparations for such a crisis, but I also realized how unprepared I was.

As a young child my mom faced the loneliness of living apart from her divorced parents. She struggled growing up to achieve success in a world torn apart by World War II.

Melanie J. Barton
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida
Many cancer patients experience anxiety sometimes due to the cancer diagnosis, sometimes prior to the diagnosis for reasons not related to the illness.

I am new at this. All these people coming and saying all these nice things, but what does it all mean? Joseph is being such a good father neither one of us knows exactly what to do as parents.

In 2009 I was diagnosed with colon cancer, heavy metal toxicity and chronic Lyme’s disease and had five “mini-strokes”. I feared my days of serving others were over. Not so. You might ask yourself: “How can I serve others when my own life needs help?” You would be surprised. Here are some ways the Spirit has answered my prayers.

Preparation: tell the kids ahead of time what to expect
Organization: plan ahead what the consequences will be
Support: Tag team, friends, family, therapist
Innovation: Do what works for you, not what the kids want
Timeliness: Address the behavior when it happens every time
Integration: Use a combination of techniques and change as needed
Values: Remember what you do is what kids will see as your values
Energy: Take time for yourself, do not have a child-centered home

When sad I cry, when mad, I express it, when happy I cry, when lonely I call and check on someone, when scared I pray, when in pain I meditate, when frustrated wait on God to answer.