Mary – Breast Cancer Survivor

Posted by admin on July 25th, 2010 at 10:57pm

As owner of her own catering company, breast cancer survivor Mary Stodola, or “Chef Mary” as she is fondly referred to by customers, family and friends, lives each day as testament to the healing powers of a positive attitude and the culinary wisdom instilled in her by her mother of “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” Mary was just 20 when her own mother died, at the age of 50, from breast cancer. “Before she became ill, my mother had gotten me a position as a governess with a family in Chicago,” says Mary, adding that she believes her mother was trying to ensure that she would have opportunities beyond their tiny hometown in northern Wisconsin. Mary seized the opportunity and earned her degree, advancing to business school and a prestigious job with a Fortune 200 company. When she lost her job at the age of 45 to a “downsizing” in the industry, Mary responded with an extra large helping of her mother’s lemons/lemonade recipe and attended culinary school to fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming a chef. But just six months after relocating to Nashville with her then 11-year-old daughter to take on a lead role with Viking Range Corporation, Mary received what would be the equivalent to a truckload of proverbial lemons and one of the greatest challenges of her life. A routine mammogram revealed an advanced stage of breast cancer and her doctor referred her to a surgeon. But Mary is a firm believer in being an active participant in her healthcare. She was concerned …

Tags: Breast, Cancer, Mary, Survivor

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