natalie@saveyourskin.ca

I am thrilled to announce that my support of Save Your Skin Foundation is taking a more formal role:  I have accepted a position on the SYSF team as Project Coordinator, working from my home office in Meaford, Ontario, with the odd commute to Toronto.  I am very happy to lend my patient voice/experience, fund raising, writing, and project management skills to be the "feet on the ground" in Ontario for this wonderful Foundation.  

In my darkest days, circa February 2015, I found Save Your Skin by an odd chance, and they quietly helped me to challenge my fears and learn about my options.  I clicked and emailed and phoned, and Kathy and her team warmly welcomed me to share my tears, my experience, and my hopes for the future.  They supported and encouraged me in a way I needed at the time, with the experience and confidence only a metastatic melanoma survivor can give another sharing this journey. Gratitude fuels my determination to help Save Your Skin Foundation help others, in the way they help me.  

I am so very thankful to all of my generous - and patient! - family and friends, my doctors, my posse, my past employers, my readers and colleagues newly discovered:  it takes a village to raise a cancer patient.  And if I say so myself, you have all done an amazing job!  You saved my life.  I cannot thank you enough.  

Time for me to take the next step, get back out there, and make you proud.  

I am happy.  For the first time in about three years I can say that. I am happy.   I am feeling better!  

The focus of my life has again become what I CAN do,      as opposed to what I cannot do. 

 http://www.saveyourskin.ca/blog/what-patient-advocacy-means-to-me/

As I exit my role as Front End Manager at Bill's valu-mart in Meaford, I would like to thank my friends there for their care and camaraderie (and prime rib roasts).  I do miss you guys! 

In the two and a half years since my "cancer sabbatical" began, I have had plenty of time to ponder what I want to be when I grow up.  A complete shock to the system such as this affords some time to re-think the professional efforts I will put forward in my future.  

I know I can no longer hack the long days that run into long weeks, nor the physical and emotional marathons that go along with 20+ direct reports, but I know I cannot draw out the generous benefits offered either, when I know in my heart I will not return.  Self-preservation yes, unethical No Thank You.
I appreciate the disability benefits which have allowed me appropriate time for recovery, and I am grateful for having the opportunity to come back when I was able.   I am ready to go back to work now, but in a different capacity, my passion has shifted.   Thank you for your understanding.  
I wish you the best in filling my role there; may you enjoy continued success in your business! 

(obviously, I gave my notice to Bill almost two weeks ago, I have not just resigned via blog ~ For the record, thank you)