Brave Toni Does It Again
Illawarra Mercury
Saturday December 20, 2008
TONI Howard deserved to feel proud yesterday as she accepted her second degree at the University of Wollongong in three years.
The mother of two from Horsley discovered she had breast cancer on Christmas Eve in 2004 while studying for her Bachelor of Teaching.A year later and only months out from graduating, the cancer returned and she had a double mastectomy."Uni staff were fabulous and never once suggested quitting," she said.Despite a series of operations, chemotherapy and radiation, Mrs Howard only ever missed one lecture."That was during chemo when I rushed outside to puke," she said with a laugh.In 2006, she got a full-time teaching job with the Catholic Education Office, first at St John Vianney's at Fairy Meadow and then St Pius X Primary School in Unanderra. She continued to study, this time her Master of Education, which she completed this year."I think I'm up to about my eighth operation, but I've found that through the ordeal the study took my mind off what was going on with my health," she said.She said nothing would have been possible without her family, especially her husband Peter, who she calls "her rock"."We have two daughters, Tayla and Mecenzi, and Peter is the full-time carer for Mecenzi, who has cerebral palsy. He is the kindest man and does all the physical things that I, with my limitations, can't do for Mecenzi ... he is simply wonderful."
© 2008 Illawarra Mercury
