Carole said, “I told my daughters to make sure they go for a mammogram every year.” Carole, is an avid golfer, and plays cards weekly, especially poker and Hand and Foot. Her family is her greatest joy, and she always looks forward to traveling to visit them. Tami Donnelly, who is 16 years breast cancer-free, lives on Sawgrass Drive and has lived in Lake Ashton for 2 1/2 years with her husband of 30 years, Dana. They share three children. The Donnellys moved from Houston, Texas, to be close to elderly parents in Lake Wales. Tami had a mammogram 17 years ago, and although something was suspicious, she was told to come back in six months. She was her own best advocate and sought a second opinion with a biopsy. Ironically, the lump that was biopsied was benign, but the rest of her breast was 99% cancerous in the milk ducts. Tami chose a double mastectomy so she would not have to worry as much in the future. She was told that a machine would not have discovered this cancer for another seven years. She said, “All by the Grace of God, I went to a breast doctor.” She decided on expanders and silicone implants. Although she suffered through surgery and reconstruction, she said, “Some days I feel guilty because so many women that had breast cancer had to go through so much more than I did. Many women become sick, lose their hair, their livelihood, and even their marriage. I only had to give up two boobs; others go through much more.” She still checks herself every month. During Tami’s first golf game after her reconstruction, she got a holein-one. The Atlanta Journal and Constitution wrote about the achievement with the headline, “There Is Life After Cancer.” This September, at the World Amateur Golf Tournament in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Tami came in second place in her flight of 49 golfers. She has played there for 11 years. Besides golf, Tami enjoys cards, wine with her girlfriends, road trips, casinos and annual trips to Las Vegas. 13 This month is the Lake Ashton Pink Ribbon Breast Cancer Golf Tournament benefiting the Breast Cancer Foundation of Central Florida. Last year, more than $65,000 was raised through the Lake Ashton Pink Ribbon fundraiser. Women who need financial assistance while undergoing treatment may receive help with their mortgage, Uber rides to the hospital, utilities, daycare and other expenses. One in every eight women is diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. The journeys these four Lake Ashton women generously shared for Breast Cancer Awareness Month are yet another reason why Lake Ashton is “Simply the Best.” Please see more information about the act ivit ies at t he Clubhouse and HFC in October to promote Breast Cancer Awareness on page 28, and the Pink Ribbon Golf Tournament coming up on November 14 on page 44. Talk to a real person — and neighbor — about your Medicare options INSURANCE LA RESIDENT | 21+ YEARS EXPERIENCE Call or Text (863) 514-5368 www.cgravesins.com NOTE: I do not offer every plan available in our area | I represent 8 carriers, offering 132 plans | For all options visit: Medicare.gov • 1-800-MEDICARE • State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) – free, local help for Medicare questions
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