Mammograms and Mastectomies: Facing Them with Humor and Prayer Book

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Born in Stamford, Connecticut in 1950, Susan Farrell graduated with an Economics degree from Brown University in 1972 and moved to Belgium to join a consulting firm specialized in strategic planning. While living and working in Brussels, Susan earned her MBA from Boston University at night. After six years in Europe, Susan moved to New Orleans and joined the energy industry, beginning a twenty-three year adventure of working and traveling throughout Europe, Southeast Asia and the Middle East. She married an academic whose flexibility allowed her to aggressively pursue her career, keep the household together and manage two daughters. The family moved to London with Susan in 1994 and finally back to Houston in 1998. But, in January 2000, Susan's world fell apart. Her executive position with a giant multi-national was eliminated in a re-organization and a month later she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Life had stopped being cooperative. The ability to find humor in any situation is a coping mechanism which Susan has used throughout her life, often shocking friends and colleagues with irreverent comments. This knack of discovering, or creating, wit in seemingly dismal circumstances became a lifeline for Susan during her ordeal with cancer.

The other lifeline for Susan in her struggle with illness was prayer. Like many who have confronted life-threatening events, Susan embarked upon a slow, and often reticent, re-discovery of her spiritual self. Susan still lives in Houston and is a Senior Director for an energy consultancy. She is currently three years cancer-free, healthy, and once again feisty.