Who in the World is Heather Jungk?
2002 Boaz Rauchwerger
Shes 31 years old, 56tall, slender, with an easy smile and a warm demeanor. Not exactly the type of person youd consider when looking for candidates who are positive attitude giants. But thats just what she is.
Born in Wyoming, she came to San Diego to attend Point Loma Nazarene University. Perhaps the fact that her father is a minister had something to do with that choice.
She met Scott last year and a romance bloomed. Hes an American working for the U.S. military in England. They became engaged and a wedding date was set for this year. Then, the news from Heathers doctor changed things forever. She had breast cancer. The diagnosis may have changed things physically for Heather, but emotionally she was about to show those who know her a whole new person.
Heather and Scott did get married and they now live in England. Scott proved to be the perfect husband. He has been incredibly supportive of Heather.
It is the attitude with which she has moved through her health challenge that has impressed so many people. Thats why Im sharing her story with you. Since she shares her experience with so many of her friends and acquaintances through her e-mails, I feel comfortable letting you in on some of her messages. There is an amazing positive spirit that weaves through her comments.
May 20, 2002 Update #5 from Heather
Scott and I landed in England on May 6th. We had a great flight hometogether! Ive been without a car, cell phone, computer, television, radio, job, pets, roommates, a post office and a watch ever since I landed. Ive spent all kinds of time in the garden in our backyard discovering all the flowers and herbs that the previous owners developed. Im up to over 50 different kinds of flowers already.
As Heather points out, isnt it amazing what joy we can find around us when all the material things suddenly dont mean much. Notice the pattern of her positive thoughts as she continues below
We landed here Monday had an appointment with doctors here on Tuesday. Theyre great! Its a brand new facility and the staff is just as wonderful as the one I left in San Diego. That first week here in England was traumatic! All my hair fell out at once! There were a couple of little strands left. So Scott shaved my head one night and we discovered that my heads not all that bad. Even comparable to star trek chick!It took me a day or two to give up on the hair mentally, but it was empowering once I did.
Lucky me I got to go through menopause symptomswhile Im on my cancer medication. I got hot flashes and everything just another experience! Kind of interesting, kind of annoying, but it beats the hell out of dying!
Lance Armstrong has a book called Its Not About the Bike.He had a 3% chance of surviving the incredible cancer he had. He beat it and went on to win the Tour de France AGAIN! To follow his example, I plan on beating my record time in the London Marathon next year. Im allowing myself the year 2002 to recover from this and train. Then, in 2003, ITS ON!!
(Speaking about her radiation treatments) Ive lost count on what number this one is. Sorry! Thats what happens when you run into a brick wall, get stripped of virtually everything youve got and are FORCED into relaxation for any period of time! Not that Im complainingits been perfect therapy!
June 13, 2002
The following apology from Heather to her friends truly exemplifies the attitude of a champion
Sorry this one is late. Problems with the computer access. Anyway, sorry its late and that I worried some of you. The third of six chemo shots is done. Scott and I did a half-time dancecoming out of the hospital. This shot didnt affect me the same way either. I had so much energy and felt fine for two days. Ive had a couple of crappydays since then, but nothing really bad. I should be done with shots in mid August and then six weeks of radiation, five days a week. Were not counting the radiation in our half waymarker. Thats overtime in this game. Right now the score is Heather 3, Cancer 0. By late September or early October, this little adventure will be over!
If Heather Jungk can call her cancer scare and treatment a little adventure,what about you and me? Ive been as guilty in the past of making mountains out of molehills. Of getting upset about something that, given a little time, wont mean a hill of beans.
With Heathers lead, lets decide that many of lifes challenges are now little adventures.Lets pay attention to the flowers in our backyards and see how much happiness we can allow to bloom.
An Affirmation from Heather
Life is a wonderful adventure. I now choose to live it positively!
Article reproduced with permission from Boaz Rauchwerger. You may reprint any of these articles in any publication or Web site so long as you credit Boaz Rauchwerger as the author and include this Web site address, www.Boazpower.com.