And, So It Goes

And, so it goes...

Exactly one year ago I was in the midst of teaching two summer school classes at the college and took on a third in an emergency. That was about as busy as I cared to be at the time. I felt "tired" a lot and insomnia had become the norm. One thing led to another and I was forced to make a "lady doctor's" appointment for stuff I had not thought about in years. And, here's where my personal God thing began its journey.

I went through a web program hunting a female physician, who took my insurance, and practiced near my home. I came across this one doctor who had ONE appointment open in the week and no more for months. She met my criteria so I snagged the appointment! The name sounded familiar, but I have met so many people that everyone sounds familiar. With paper work in hand I headed off for "that" exam....ladies you know what I mean.

Sitting on the table, half-dressed, and nervous as a cat in a room full of rockers, I waited. The door opens and OMG there stands Dr. Stephanie Bruce, nee Swafford.  Tomball High School class of late 80's, drum major of the band (all 5' nothing), big bows in her hair (thus nickname "Bowhead"), and my new doctor. We laughed and hugged.  I won't go into the gory details, but within 4-5 days she had diagnosed me with uterine cancer. She looked at me and to paraphrase told me we would get through this together. I knew that God had brought us together and I looked at her and adopted my mantra for the upcoming adventure, "What's next?" She went into gear and hooked me up the fantastic Dr. Richard Drake of Texas Oncology at Willowbrook Methodist. He later told me that he knew he had to get me well because he did not want to deal with Dr. Bruce :)

As things go with cancer, I had to have two major surgeries, three radiation treatments, and three chemoes.  In the scope of cancer, it was nothing compared to what I saw people going through in the treatment rooms.  At each turn Dr. Bruce was kept in the information loop and called to check on me about halfway through. I said something to her at one point that I could never thank her enough for her kindness and pushing through paperwork, etc. to get me on the road to a cure. She replied that it was the least she could do because of what I (and she mentioned others) taught her in high school. She said she always wanted to repay us. That did it. I realized that all those years of teaching all those students were indeed for a purpose. Here was this great physician whom I had not seen since graduation day at Tomball High School and 30 years later...she would begin the steps to my eventual wellness.

Yes, the cancer is gone! I have new purpose (that's another blog) and I can close my eyes  and be in Room 106, second row on left, last desk of three...there sits "Bowhead" who would save my life so many years later.

Thank you Dr. Bruce!