Rosemarie Winters I was born in 1932 in West Virginia of wealthy Caucasian parents. My family had a high blood pressure and heart disease, but not of cancer.
0-19 years I was only an average student in school, although my teachers consistently told my parents I could do better if I tried. Both my parents smoked. Not surprisingly perhaps, I began smoking as well at age 16. I was plagued with allergies and mild asthma through school and was never interested in sports. Instead, I loved to socialize, and even as a teenager I was a moderate beer drinker.	20-39 years I joined the work force instead of going to college or getting married right out of high school. As a secretary, I worked hard during the week and partied hard on the weekends. I still smoked, despite several attempts to stop. I was married at 27 and had a child at 29. I never remarried after my divorce at age 36.
40-59 years By 45, I had developed significant bronchial problems. I had a persistent cough and frequent bouts with deep chest colds and congestion. I finally stopped smoking at 55, but my hacking cough persisted.	60+ years I was diagnosed with lung cancer at age 63. By the time the cancer was detected, it had metastasized to my brain and was producing headaches, nausea, and vomiting. My doctor gave me chemotherapy and radiation, which made me feel tired and sick, but the cancer never went away. Rosemarie died three months later just a little shy of her 64^th birthday. Her family grieved, but was not surprised. Rosemarie’s doctor had told them that the five-year survival rate for lung cancer is only about 13 percent. ·