Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties

A survivor's journey

Bessemer Township woman works on maintaining health

By P.J. GLISSON

[email protected]

BESSEMER - Cheryl Taivalmaa, of Bessemer, was living in Phoenix when she learned her mother had cancer in 1985. It changed everything.

"I quit my job and came home because I wanted to be close," she said, explaining that she took jobs in Ishpeming first and then in Marshfield, Wis., so it would be easier to drive here to provide support.

Taivalmaa said the experience of her mother, Helmi Taivalmaa, went as follows:

-She realized she had a lump in her breast, but delayed seeing a doctor for several months because she was waiting to get on Medicare.

-When...