Who in the World is Heather Jungk?

© 2002 Boaz Rauchwerger

She’s 31 years old, 5’6” tall, slender, with an easy smile and a warm demeanor. Not exactly the type of person you’d consider when looking for candidates who are positive attitude giants. But that’s 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. He’s 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 Heather’s 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. That’s why I’m 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 ‘home’ together! I’ve been without a car, cell phone, computer, television, radio, job, pets, roommates, a post office and a watch ever since I landed. I’ve spent all kinds of time in the garden in our backyard discovering all the flowers and herbs that the previous owners developed. I’m up to over 50 different kinds of flowers already.”

As Heather points out, isn’t it amazing what joy we can find around us when all the material things suddenly don’t 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. They’re great! It’s 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 head’s 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 symptoms’ while I’m 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 “It’s 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. I’m allowing myself the year 2002 to recover from this and train. Then, in 2003, IT’S ON!!

(Speaking about her radiation treatments) I’ve lost count on what number this one is. Sorry! That’s what happens when you run into a brick wall, get stripped of virtually everything you’ve got and are FORCED into relaxation for any period of time! Not that I’m complaining…it’s 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 it’s late and that I worried some of you. The third of six chemo shots is done. Scott and I did a ‘half-time dance’ coming out of the hospital. This shot didn’t affect me the same way either. I had so much energy and felt fine for two days. I’ve had a couple of ‘crappy’ days 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. We’re not counting the radiation in our ‘half way’ marker. That’s 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? I’ve been as guilty in the past of making mountains out of molehills. Of getting upset about something that, given a little time, won’t mean a hill of beans.

With Heather’s lead, let’s decide that many of life’s challenges are now “little adventures.” Let’s 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!