PAGE 20A -awl. . A 42 ear survivor 'I wasn't able to have any more kids, but God still made a way to bless me.' ' By Stephenie Livingston reast Cancer Awareness Month is a means to encourage the early detec- tion of all kinds of cancer in both women and men, young and old. Jeanne Fannin is an example of a life saved by early detection, and she wants everyone to know. In 1968, at the age of 28, Fannin was not diagnosed with breast cancer. But while stationed in San Diego with her mili- tary husband and her five children, she was diagnosed with cervical cancer. The doctor told her she would need a hys- terectomy to rid her of the disease. Although Fannin already had five children, she was devastated. "I was upset I wouldn't be able to have any more kids," she said. "But they told me I would die if I didn't have the surgery. I said, 'God didn't give me five children for me to let someone else raise them.'" And so Fannin had the surgery. "We got it all," they told her as she woke up post-surgery. She was cancer free. She had made it through the worst, she thought. Then, Fannin realized something was wrong. "They said I had anesthetic pneumo- nia," she said. Fannin's symptoms be- Jeff Tippens I came so severe she went into cardiac ar- , Jeff Tipp rest ... twice. 313 N.C "And I died," she said. "I died twice, Live Oa in fact. My heart stopped." Ph: 38' Although frightened, Fannin said she Fax: 38 was comforted by the image of an angel AUTO * H with pale blue eyes. CALL US TODAY I called her my blue angel," said Fan- nin. ,. Later, she went back to the hospital to INSU find her angel, whom she thought had INSU been one of the nurses or doctors resus- AGI citating her, but she was unsuccessful. COMPETITIVE RATES WALMART SUPERCENTER For all your shopping needs. PHARMACY VISION CENTER LAWN & GARDEN TIRE & LUBE EXPRESS DELI MEAT DEPT. 1-HOUR PHOTO FRESH BAKERY HAIR SALON PORTRAIT STUDIO Highway 129 North, Live Oak, FL 386-330-2488 622811 F Badcock HOME FURNITURE moree J Gary Olive, Dealer , Lollie Olive, Manager Jessica Olive, Sales Associate # 1429 N. Ohio Avenue, Live Oak 386-362-1971 www.badcock.com 622810-F She believes the woman she saw was her guardian angel, there to keep her safe. Now, Fannin, 70, one of Suwannee County's longest living cancer survivors, said it is her mission in life to be that same comfort to others in need. "God has a reason for me being alive. I take care of other people, that's my mission," she said. Fannin said after taking care of her parents throughout their later years, she has made it her duty to make life a little better for the elderly locally. She's very active with her church, vol- unteers, and is a member of a local bowling team that gives back to the community on a regular basis. Although the father of her children is deceased, Fannin re- married and together they have a total of 10 children. "I wasn't able to have any more kids, but God still made a way to bless me," she said. Fannin also has 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchil- dren. "I want to tell people to get their checkups, even at a early age. I am an example of someone whose life was saved by an early diagnosis," she said. PHONE (386) 935-1442 ESTABLISHED 1904 Badcock HOME FURNITURE &m1oreO P.O. BOX 518 903 SUWANNEE AVE. BRANFORD, FL 32008 622809-F 5 Suwannee , graphics PRINTING * COPY SERVICE Complete Printing Services from Business Forms, Blueprints, Tickets, Letterheads, Envelopes, Program Books, COLOR COPIES, etc... 621 North Ohio Avenue * Live Oak, Florida 32060 (386) 362-1848 * Fax (386) 364-4661* (800) 457-6082 622808-F Family is why WE DO IT ALL. We all feel the same commitment to care for our families. As your good neighbor agent, I can help you meet your insurance needs. Call me today. Rob Cathcart, Agent 115 Grand Street NE Live Oak, FL 32064 Bus: 386-364-7900 .A rob.cathcart.j656@statefarm.com LIKE A GOOD NEIGIIHBOR Ijll STATE FARM IS THERE. Providing Insurance and Financial Services lsa efmane c o @ State Farm Insu.r.... Companies�Home Offices Bloomingto,, Ihn1 s 11-i, OWNER TIM VERDI insurance Agency pens, Agent r Ohio Avenue ak, FI 32064 6-364-2886 6-364-3592 tOME * LIFE FOR A FREE QUOTE. RANCE ENC i AND EXCELLENT SERVICE 127 Howard Street E., Live Oak, FL Phone: 386-362-4539 Toll Free: 1-800-557-7478 Se Habla Espanol ( w .poolerealtv.om Hours: Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.; Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.; m Sunday by appointment MIS * SUWANNEE DEMOCRAT/LIVE OAK FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2010 October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month Jeanne Fannin: 'N-4