This is going to be interesting. Totally irrelevant I suppose but the challenge will keep me going.

[jillydabrat]

As I never attended college, in fact I never completed high school in Canada because of bullying, I always felt that I had failed myself somehow.  I knew I had a good level of intelligence but I had let the years slip away and never did anything with it.  In 2012 I decided to challenge myself and do a Diploma Course in Canine Biology and Science.  I am dog crazy and I figured, what the heck.  I was also in the middle of my breast cancer treatment so I wanted something to concentrate on other than my illness.

I cannot say it wasn't a struggle and I had to ask my course adviser for unlimited time to finish my course and he kindly agreed.  

I have just finished Module 1 of my course and I am hopping with pride to say I passed with 89% plus distinction.  I am now studying like mad for the second of three modules.

The tiredness has made it especially difficult and some days my brain is too fuzzy to even consider opening the books but I am determined to get my Diploma if it kills me.

Having something to concentrate on has really helped me to concentrate on something other than my illness and I would recommend it to everyone. 

I knew I had it in me, maybe I should be grateful to my PV for making my mind up to do something meaningful.

Just wanted to share my good news, hope it's okay Maz xx

[Realtorlin]

I love your story and so proud of you for following your dream and doing so well! I can only imagine how hard it has been also with the fatigue but you did it and you will continue to do well I an sure! Good for you!!!

[jillydabrat in reply to Realtorlin]

thanks so much, I am already looking into another course when this is completed.  Very liking the idea of a degree in criminology.  I swear if I didn't have this to concentrate on I would go mad xx

[Mazcd Partner MPNVoice]

my dear lovely Jilly, of course it's ok for you to share this amazing news, well done to you, I think you are fabulous for doing this course, and to pass a module with such a high %, huge pat on the back from me and my dog, just wish you were doing a course on how to make naughty dogs behave, then you could sort mine out!!!  Congratulations.  Lots of love Maz x x x x 

[jillydabrat in reply to Mazcd]

I have the answer to your naughty dogs behaviour......give him to me lol xx

[Inca]

Well done Jilly,You have to concentrate on something positive,I still do my sculpture,have an exhibition soon,sometimes my head is fuzzy ,my eyes blurr,I have to have help to get down ancient stairs from my atelier,but I feel better in myself that I achieve the work I love,then I crash out !!So keep going,loads of time ,I am 76 yrs young.......!!!!Know the N East well,studied Art at Middlesbrough,long years ago ,The best for next stage to you,Keep well !

[jillydabrat in reply to Inca]

Middlesbrough's my home town and I love it.  The people are so friendly.

[jillydabrat in reply to jillydabrat]

Where's your exhibition Inca? Well done in achieving such amazing standards as to get yourself exhibited.  76 or 16, an amazing achievement.  Let us know how it goes xx

[Inca in reply to jillydabrat]

Well,I have exhibited all my working life,commissions,galleries etc.but as you know now,struggling with P V and its related issues is a challenge in itself.Like you ,my dogs are my soul mates,the G S D I had before the two now,knew I was poorly before I did,he was Police trained to guard me as we were on a lonely farm,which he did all his life,these two now sleep at the bedroom door,watch me continually,prop me up when I am flagging!!!!One is U K police bred ,the big black boy in pic. the other is French bred,they as different as chalk and cheese!Think you are courageous to do your studies,wish you great success.My teeth bleed too and nose sometimes,goes with the territory we exist in now!!Love to M 'bro,many old friends in surrounding areas.Expo coming up is France,bronzes tho at Aintree and Chetenham,and other places for Injured Jockeys,soon.(horse s!)Good Luck Jilly,lots of great people on here to chat too with worries.Sally(have a web site if you are interested tap in Sally Rutherford I will come up !!!

[jillydabrat in reply to Inca]

Wow, your sculptures are amazing!  You can actually feel the playfulness in the dogs as well as the concentration of the hunt.  The fear in the hares is uncanny.  If you exhibit in the north east please let us know, I would love to see them up close xx

[Hidden]

Congratulations and well done. Lovely of you to share your great news with us. Good luck with the rest of the course, I am sure given your high mark you will sail through the rest Liz xx

[jillydabrat]

thanks Sue, feel like doing the happy dance around the kitchen lol.  My lack of education didn't stop me, I had a wonderful job as PA for a consultant child psychologist.  Determination gets you everything is my motto xx

[mol56]

What a fabulous post. Really uplifting. Well done

Judith

[margie1]

Hi Maz you are an inspiration and I wish you well with your treatment and getting your diploma. Having a positive attitude really helps I too love dogs and when I had oesophageal cancer it was touch and go but my rescue German shepherd helped me to fight as I could not leave him he's my best friend and he lay with me all through my treatment I owe him my life as there were times i thought I couldn't fight anymore but he would look up at me and I knew he was willing me to keep fighting ! That was in 2012 and he's now nearly 16 with health problems so I'm now lying with my mate like he did with me and willing him to fight until he says enough is enough 🐾🐾❤️

Best wishes Margie 

[jillydabrat in reply to margie1]

Oh Margie, your post brought back so many memories of my springer soulmate, Bridie.  When I had my mastectomies she lay by my bed refusing to leave my side even to go toilet or eat, only leaving when my hubby carried her downstairs.  I lost her 2 years ago and I miss her every day.  I have her ashes and she will be scattered with me.  Give that beautiful German shepherd a huge hug from me and enjoy every moment with him xx

[margie1 in reply to jillydabrat]

Hi Jilly I have given him big hugs from you and so sorry to hear you have lost Bridie I can only magine how much you miss her as I know I will miss my Jezzie it breaks my heart to know that when his time comes I can't let him suffer but feel I should save him like he saved me 🐾 Others tell me I saved him when I rescued him and he was doing the same for me ! I love him so much yes he's my soulmate too 🐾❤️🐾 Wishing you well and hope you are doing well Jezzie sends you cuddles too xxxx

[jillydabrat in reply to margie1]

thank you Jezzie, cuddles much appreciated.   When the time comes have the strength to realise what a wonderful life he has had with you and that he will be the first to greet you when you the time comes.  I often think that if things to turn to the worst with this condition then I can look forward to being with my beautiful girl again.  I think life can be so cruel when the animal you take on and love like a child lives such a short life compared to their humans, not fair at all xxxx

[margie1 in reply to jillydabrat]

I agree life is too short for us all xx

[Nickthedevil]

Well done Jilly. What great news! Karen xx

[lizzziep]

Wow!! Well done you!! I'm dog mad too ❤️🐕 Congratulations!!

Lizzie x

[jillydabrat]

My dogs are my furry children lol xx

[beetle]

Brilliant. We all love happy stories here 😀.  I can identify with this as I challenged myself with a Masters degree ten years into my ET diagnosis.  Although I didn't complete it because of a change in circumstances I did get a post graduate diploma and felt very proud at 55 years old! I really enjoyed the studying although as you say the fatigue and brain fuzz can be a real nuisance!  I wish you all the very best in your endeavour which I am sure will give you many challenging but happy times and be a great diversion for you.  Keep letting us know your good news as we love sharing with you 👍🍾😀😀

[jillydabrat in reply to beetle]

Hi Beetle, I, too am 54 and I am setting my goal to finish this within the year.  I did go for a long time with all my notes and 23 textbooks shoved in the spare 'junk' room but my husband wouldn't let me give up and now I am happily involved in it again.  Could you not take up where you left off?  I am already collecting books for my next goal in a degree in criminology xx

[beetle in reply to jillydabrat]

My degree was in Enclusive Environments which involved the design and management of environments to include use by all disabled people. I had a marriage breakdown and changed my job and to be quite honest I couldn't afford the dissertation module. I was encouraged by my four sons who all got bachelor degrees and I was having a race to Masters with the eldest -he won!!  It is lovely that your husband is encouraging you as without encouragement from my boys I might have fallen by the wayside but they wouldn't let me. At 66 and with MF now, my fatigue and brain fuzz would not encourage me to go back to studying but I continue to challenge myself learning new crafts, bobbin lace & tatting for example,  and also extending my computer skills just for enjoyment. I recently electronically "scrapbooked" the entire collection of family photos and was able to give each son their own copy. I wish you all success with your criminology degree. It sound very interesting indeed. Very best wishes, Jan

[bruddery]

Congratulations it's NEVER late to do any type of study. You are so right that it gives you something else to focus on and hopefully it will lead to still more... good luck with everything Bruddery