"Elena Nenorta should be an inspiration to all of us. Through Elena, we are learning the true meaning of living. Her courage, her strength, and her love of life are the essence of her being, in coping with a life-threatening illness. Through these horrendous events that are taking place in her life, Elena performs her duties as a nurse without complaint and with much dignity and humor. She gives more than 100% to the patients under her care and to her fellow nurses, even though at times she is suffering from the aftermath of chemotherapy and cancer in her body."

So wrote the 46 employees who nominated Elena Nenorta, LPN, for Grace Cottage.s Employee of the Month in March (see photo, previous page). Elena's first bout with cancer was in 1991, when she was treated for breast cancer at age 36. "It totally changed my life," she recalled. "I quit my high-stress job as a retail print advertising coordinator and moved to Vermont. I attended Thompson School of Nursing in Brattleboro because I knew, after my experience with cancer, that nursing was what I wanted to do."

In December, 2000, Elena learned that she had abdominal cancer; she's had surgery and has been receiving treatments ever since while, at the same, time, maintaining her nursing position. "I couldn't get through this without my co-workers at Grace Cottage, and I want to thank all of them," said Elena. "Employees that I don't even know have given me earned time, baked cookies, had food delivered to my house, and have sent cards and letters! Their love and support has been just incredible."

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