A Celebration of Life
Like most of you reading this, the family here at SCB Marketing (publisher of SpaceCoast Living) continues to be deeply affected by cancer. Two years ago, we lost Donna Skattum, a friend and mentor who meant as much to the community as she did to all of us here at SCB. Donna inspired us and made us laugh every day. She also encouraged us to “do what you love, and love what you do.” Her smile and laugh still and always lives in our hearts and memories.
Most recently, we lost Dawn Faust Bibby, a dear friend to many of us, and one of the great personalities ever. If you knew her, you’re smiling right now. She was one of those people who lit up a room and brightened everything around her. A service was held for her in August, and it just wasn’t a funeral. It was a “Celebration of Life” and it was so befitting the life she led, that we felt we had to carry it further. For her, and for us all.
What follows is SpaceCoast Living’s “Celebration of Life” with stories of courageous survivors, and lives filled with meaning. Whether as a mother, a sister, a wife, friend or business person, each of these lives were struck by cancer, as were their friends, families and associates. We chose to NOT write about them, but to let them tell you directly about their fights and their lives today. We hope you get the same encouragement and inspiration from these stories as we do.
Amy Jordan
Survivor: 20 Years, Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma
“At fifteen I was diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy. I was losing muscle control in my face, affecting my smile and ability to close my right eye. Even with treatment, the loss of muscle control progressed. After five years and more doctors and tests, I was told instead that I had Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma. I had cancer. I had to have my parotid gland removed along with 2 facial nerves and my inner ear as a result of having the cancer. As a bonus, to make up for the loss of muscle control due to the cancer damage, the process included several additional and painful follow-up surgeries.
As a teenager, all I wanted to do was fit in. But because of my illness, I stood out like a sore thumb. After I was diagnosed with cancer, I started searching for support groups. I was repeatedly disappointed when I reached out and was told, “You’re too young,” or “You have the wrong kind of cancer.” Throughout the repeated rejection I kept one thought in mind; someday I would help others who needed a sense of normalcy and understanding.
As a childhood cancer survivor, the question I’ve always asked myself is, “How can I use my experience to help others?” I looked at career options where I felt I could have the greatest positive impact on children. I completed a master’s degree in School Counseling. After starting my career in the local school system, I soon realized that with all the additional responsibilities that school counselors have, I wasn’t actually doing very much counseling. I wanted to do more. So I went back to college, completed an extensive internship with additional course work and became a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC).
My involvement in the world of mental health has allowed me to support children, adolescents, adults and entire families struggling with a wide variety of stressors like a cancer diagnosis. Helping others find ways of coping with life’s difficulties and ultimately improving their quality of life has been extremely rewarding. I’m able to apply my professional skills and experiences to helping others, and I am regularly rewarded by the progress made by the individuals I work with, as well as the positive feelings I get from reaching my personal goal of helping others.”