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Today's Featured Biography

 
Carolyn Cable Lowder

Attended Murray State Jr. College, Tishomingo, OK, and the University of Tulsa, marrying while at Murray State. I stabled horses at both locations and continued with horse show and rodeo schedules until I moved to Europe in 1970.

After returning from Europe I worked in newspaper advertising, then accepted a position with the Department of Defense, both in Lawton, OK. I later moved to Oklahoma City, serving in the Army Reserves and beginning a 30+ year career with the U. S. Treasury, gaining extraordinary experiences through a wide range of assignments across the country. I was obviously so very blessed to have been able to participate in a broad range of activities.

I married again in ’74 and transferred to Birmingham, AL. In the ‘80’s I was selected for management, subsequently serving as Security Officer for ten offices, various front-line management positions and numerous assignments as Training Officer, QIP team leader, Six Sigma team member, instructor, course material developer, radio and television appearances, speaking engagements, volunteer coordinator, quality reviewer, upper level management and staff positions. I had direct assignments in New Orleans and Atlanta.

My mother became seriously ill in 1997 and we made the decision that she would sell her home and live with me in Alabama. I cherish the time we had together and hope my father is pleased that I tried to take care of her after he left us in 1990. Mother left me on Valentines Day, 2004.

In May 2006 I experienced a “hammer” headache during a 4-day driving trip to OK, TX and returning to TN. Upon my return my doctor immediately requested CAT scans. The short of it is I had severed a blood vein in my head (hit with trunk lid while loading laptop in trunk) which was bleeding into my brain. My doctor still comments on how blessed I was to have survived and there have been numerous recent reports of those who did not. There was immediate brain surgery! No choice. Waiting on the gurney was the longest hours of my life, wondering if I would even know who I was when I came out from under the anesthesia. Thirty plus staples and six screws later my body decided it was under siege and began major combat, awaking Rheumatoid Arthritis from 20 yr remission. I did return to a limited work schedule in June, but was experiencing extreme swelling and fatigue. When I could not unplug my laptop for a work-related trip I finally accepted bed-rest for over a year. Thank goodness I had rarely used sick leave! I retired 1/2/07, four years after reaching retirement eligibility.

After about another year I was able to accept PT work with Enterprise Rent-A-Car, then required more surgery and have not worked since Mar 09. I had another emergency surgery in April 2010, and am doing much better. Enterprise is asking me to return and I might try it!

I do weekly injections in my stomach of a biological drug that costs approximately $5,000 for a 90-day supply. Fortunately my insurance pays all but $65. My weekly chemo and other 12 drugs are similarly covered.

I have two tremendous sons and four grandchildren.

I have been blessed in so many, many ways.

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