SAY HOW YOUR LIFE CHANGED PERSONALLY AND PROFESSIONALLY

Hi all:

I am Ana Cristina Jiménez. I am 50 years old. I live in a small village in La Rioja, in the North of
Spain.

I work in a big International company as Plant Manager. I studied engineering in Madrid and
later on I have been working there for 23 years. I like it too much.

I am a working mother of 3 kids. Well … not really kids… the oldest one is 21 years old.

I used to think that becoming a mother was the most important change, for the better in my
personal life and the toughest change in my professional life.

The lack of time and stress was my day to day, I would complain occasionally, not too much. …I
wish I could go back to that.

In 2014 Cancer suddenly entered our lives, mine, and my husbands.

At the beginning I didn’t want to tell the kids and was scared that the people at work would
find out.

I was horrified that they would look at me with pity. My world turned upside down. Fear
overcomes you specially when you are not even sure of what is happening to you.

For some time, you live in denial, hiding and pretending that everything is ok. However, the
treatments were so tough that I could not hide it anymore. The day came when I had to inform
everyone, my superiors, my family and of course, my children.

I could say that there are 2 steps in this illness,

the first one, is when you to try to convince everyone that nothing is wrong, and you carry this
burden upon yourself every single minute of every single day …. As if having cancer wasn’t
enough.

I look back and remember how exhausting this was. I felt I was betraying everyone including
myself.

The second phase is “coming out” and letting everyone know that yes, you have cancer, but it’s
ok, … we are all going to get through this together.

The moment I was forced into telling my loved ones what was happening, I was immediately
released from my own cage.

I felt like I could fly, the feeling of relief made me gain so much energy that I knew, for the first
time since my diagnosis, that I was going to beat cancer.

Hiding cancer became more exhausting than cancer itself.

At home I had been hiding from my family, but since I let everyone know about it, it all
changed. I enjoy every minute I have with my family, friends, and co-workers. If I have a bad
day, I don’t have to make up excuses. This illness has changed my life for the better, I’ve learnt
that life is beautiful, and we should make the most if it.
Personally, it has taught me that it’s ok to not be ok and the people that love you are here to
help you, in the good and the bad times. I’ve learnt to realize just how lucky I am.

Professionally I have come to the conclusion that it’s not a matter of how many hours you
work, but more about the quality you put into them. I love my job and I have continued
working, because I am still a working mother of 3, and cancer will not change who I am.

CONSIDER THE CHANGES WHICH YOU SHOULD STILL ACCOMPLISH

When you ask me about future or accomplishments in my life, it’s an easy question. Live life to
the fullest but in the humblest point of view.

As long as I feel good, all I need is time with my loved ones. One of the things we have all
started to enjoy is travelling together.

In the past there was never enough time to travel, work was always the number one in our list.

We now find time and make sure we travel often; it can be near or far; we just came back from
Dubai last week. Spending time together, experiencing new things and making memories
makes me the happiest woman alive.

Learning is also one of my passions now. Studying and being better at those things I really love.
For example, polishing my English. I’ve always wanted to improve in languages but I always
thought I could leave it for later. My own personal priorities would always be at the last of my
list.

Now, my personal priorities are at the top of the list, and of course, it must be fun.

I must not be competitive with myself.

I confess I’m very demanding to myself, so I must remind myself that this is not a competition.

Being easier on myself is a task that I haven’t got under control yet.

To CONCLUDE with my OPINION I am going to tell you WHAT KIND OF CHANGES ARE
IMPORTANT IN LIFE

Changes usually come for a reason or at least I like to believe so. They should all be taken
seriously, as they normally carry a message within them.

Health issues are very important changes in life, I think that they are the most important ones.
We think that money is the key to happiness, but if you don’t have health…you don’t have
anything.

Today I understand life as a long road, a long path we must each take. We will do part of it
alone and part of it in good or even in bad company.

Obstacles will show up every now and then, we must learn how to overcome them with the
least damage to ourselves and learning as much as possible from the experience.
All changes are important for everyone, and I find it almost arrogant from my part to tell
anyone that they should value more what they have, because it isn’t until you have a shocking
experience that you really become aware of it.

Family, health, and love are the most important pillars in my life. A few years ago, I would have
probably told you it was Family, work, and education. We take family and health for granted,
when they are in fact, the most precious treasures we can hold.

I hope you have enjoyed with my reflexions. Thanks in advance

See you soon.