"I'm a Miracle.'' Few would disagree. And few would suspect that this attractive and cheerful woman is anything but a picture of health as she goes about her unusually busy life.

Near the top of her list of priorities is the completion of her book, which tells the story of her life.

Mrs. White is also busy organising a public talk "for the people of Bermuda'' so that "they might learn from my experiences.'' She works on the book as often as she can, anxious to bring her message of hope and encouragement to those who, like her, have been diagnosed with cancer.

For earlier this year, Kathyann White was told that the cancer which she has been fighting so courageously for the past three years, had spread to her brain.

Now she is anxious to reach out. "I am the only one who can turn this ordeal into something good and positive. I want people to open up about the disease of cancer, to adopt a healing, coping mode of life before you get into a crisis situation.

"So many people just give up when they're told they have cancer. But if people keep going, and refuse to give in, they can still enjoy life, as I do.

And I want people to understand that. I also want to clear up some of the misconceptions about the disease.

"A member of my own family thought I was contagious, so there is still a lot of ignorance, just as there is about AIDS. It's something that needs to be addressed.'' Until 1989, the 36-year-old pharmacist had led what she describes as "a rosy existence. I was someone who was always successful.'' One of Berkeley Institute's top students, she obtained her BSc. from Boston College of Pharmacy and went on to do her doctorate at the Mercer Southern School of Pharmacy in Atlanta.

Back in Bermuda, she worked for eight years as a clinical pharmacist at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital before moving to the Paget Pharmacy as pharmacist-manager. "I was,'' she says, "in the prime of my career.'' She has also written articles for The Bermuda Times.

In February of 1989 Dr. White had stood as a PLP candidate for Warwick West and, she recalls, with a wide grin, that she had given the Hon. Quinton Edness "a good run for his money.'' She was all set to continue her political goals.

Her twins, Sacha Camille and Sergio Eugene, were "the pride and joy'' of her life.

But that life took a dramatic turn a few months later when she discovered a lump in her breast: "It seemed unbelievable and shocking.'' Tests in Bethesda, Maryland revealed that not only was the lump malignant, but bone scans indicated that the cancer had also invaded her skeleton. Plans for a mastectomy were abandoned as Dr. White was advised that her entire body would have to be treated.

Back in Bermuda, she initially responded well, but by July of 1990 her condition had deteriorated. As she describes this period of her life. "I was dying -- and I knew it. The cancer had already spread to my liver and although I was hanging on to my faith, I knew I would have to have chemotherapy, although I had been reluctant to do that.'' Now, she says she is grateful for the chemotherapy, and would encourage everyone to have it. "I had to grasp at this last-ditch effort to save my life. Chemotherapy has prolonged my life. And life is indeed precious and death is not that sweet.'' The loss of her hair has been artfully hidden by a stylish wig. "It makes me smile when guys say they like my new hair-cut!'' In February, there was another fright when she suffered convulsions as a result of a seizure. Further tests in Boston revealed that Dr. White had multiple tumours in her brain for which she underwent radiation treatment. She certainly earned the right to wear her `miracle' badge when she recovered from the seizure which had temporarily affected her speech, memory and ability to walk.

"It's very scary to have something happen to your brain,'' she comments. But, incredibly, she is now back at work again, earning the admiration of her colleagues and employers. On hearing of her proposed public talk on Sunday, June 7, at the Paget Christian Education Centre, the Phoenix organisation have undertaken to pay for the rental of the hall.

Mr. Ward Young says: "When I think of people I admire, I put Kathy at the top of the list.'' She is also still actively involved as President of the Heron Bay School PTA and is a member at large of the Bermuda Pharmaceutical Association.

"I love my work and my employers have been so understanding and supportive. I still have goals and dreams -- I want to set up the delivery service from the Pharmacy to Lefroy House. And I would really liked to have become an MP,'' she says with a wistful smile.

A recurring theme as Dr. White talks is her gratitude to her mother, Mrs.

Marion White and the rest of her family and friends. She takes out a huge pile of Get Well cards which she says she loves to read "over and over.'' She is grateful to the TB, Cancer and Health Association and to PALS, especially Ms. Jo-Anne Armstrong, whom she credits with getting her started on the idea of writing a book.

"I owe her a lot, because she invited me to give a talk to PALS volunteers and that was the first time I had ever talked about my experiences and she really inspired a need in me to reach out to people who were suffering, and to try and help their families.'' So many people, she says, have rallied round to help her -- which she found to be a new experience. "I had always been the strong one, going round helping other people, so it was strange, at first, to have to rely on others. But having cancer has shown me how to be humble and grateful and I feel I have grown spiritually.

"One of the most exciting things that ever happened to me was when the children at Heron Bay held a bake sale for me and gave me a cheque for $370.

It was very touching.'' Her faith, always important, has now become vital to her and she regularly attends Cobbs Hill Methodist Church.

"I'm not afraid of dying, but sometimes when I think of my beautiful children, I get sad. I told my mother that I don't think I have too much time left, so I have to give priority to the things I want to do most. I want to spend as much quality time as I can with my twins and to do the best I can so that they can have a good life.

"What else? Well, I want to give my public talk and I must finish my book -- that's of the utmost importance to me because it will be a day to day, real-life look at the reality of having breast cancer. I'm about half to three-quarters of the way through.

"It's going to be called `Breast Cancer: Windows Looking In'.'' The last part of our talk is an animated discussion on whether it would be "right'' to charge for the refreshments she plans to serve at her June lecture. She seems to think not, and is leaning towards the view that it would be best if she and her mother just made sandwiches themselves and took them along for everybody.

And the next morning, Dr. Kathyann White is on the phone to the Living section, full of bubbly enthusiasm as a member of the Board for Teen Services.

She is already busy with another idea -- "wouldn't it be great if The Royal Gazette could do a story on their 25th anniversary next month?' PROFILE IN COURAGE -- Dr. Kathyann White, who says she lives each minute of each day at a time.