LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: June 1, 2007

by State Representative Addia Wuchner

“The 110% Model for Fighting Cancer and Success in School”

Greetings! Summer is here - school is out - pools are open! The General Assembly anticipates returning to Frankfort for a special session to complete unfinished business that cannot wait until January '08; subject of my next article.

I would like to share an update on my “fighting, surviving and thriving journey” --my experience with breast cancer. While not a path I would have chosen, this journey continues to unfold as a gift. Not a gift I would have opened willingly, had I known it's contents, but from the moment of diagnosis, I have been blessed and surrounded by the loving care of family and friends. My husband Jan and I have been personally touched by the outpouring of community support. I cannot adequately express my heartfelt gratitude for your cards, well wishes, prayers, gentle thoughts, meals, prayer services and Masses, as they provided me strength on the difficult days when even small efforts seemed mountainous. Thank you.

Sixteen weeks of chemo, bouncing between good week - bad week. Bad week, is the week that followed chemo day, those ugly days where I often found myself so sick; at times wanting to quit the whole course of treatment. Then the mail would arrive with your cards. Reading them, I found hope, encouragement, strength to persevere and the courage to make it through the tough days. Thank you.

I also found myself surrounded by sisters on a journey and brothers in a club that I was fighting to escape. They were the cancer survivors who approached me and announced, “ I am a survivor of two years, four years, fifteen years…” At that point, I didn't even know what I was. I once asked, “just when do you become a survivor?” I was in limbo… biopsies confirmed cancer, surgery- port in place, going through chemo, with big surgeries yet to go (bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction took place on April 9 th ). When do you join the survivors' club? I realized I am in the fight of my life. I put on my pink boxing gloves, stepped in to the ring with cancer, and decided this was a fight to “survive and thrive”. Again, I do not have words to express the encouragement my husband, children and I felt from so many of you who shared with us your journey and personal battles with cancer. Thank you.

With every chemo treatment I encountered other brave souls fighting the good fight. I began to think of the chemo treatment room as our battle ground of possibilities and hope. I miss you guys. You remain in my prayers daily.

The children with cancer touched my heart and gave me encouragement. They looked just like me - bald, without eyelashes or eyebrows, yet their big eyes, large hearts and smiles seemed to push through the darkness of cancer and the ugly side of treatment. They were brave and bright lights flickering with hope. Hope is the four letter word, that stands in the face of cancer and reminds us that cancer is only a small part of who and what we are. Cancer can never claim our souls. Those young children had wills, attitudes, and smiles that moved mountains; always giving 110% and more.

It can feel mighty lonely when you step into the ring to battle cancer. I am eternally grateful for the support and cheers of countless individuals who were there to give me that 110% attitude it takes to endure the battle. “Remission” was a sweet sound. God Bless and thank you! Be assured that I continue to offer my prayers daily for all of your intentions.

Speaking of 110% attitude, perseverance, and hard work…this year, I initiated the Wuchner Commonwealth Award for 5 th through 12 th grade students in Boone public, private and home school groups. The Commonwealth Award was presented to students who are recommend by their teachers for participation, attitude, overcoming of obstacles, perseverance to work beyond their potential, and what I call “GIVING 110%”. GPA was not a defining requirement. Please see the education page for a list of the 2007 Representative Wuchner Commonwealth Award recipients. Also, congratulations to parents, families, facility members and teachers for your commitment and hard work, encouraging our students become the very best versions of themselves.

I would like once again to thank you for allowing me to represent you and our community in Frankfort . Please do not hesitate to contact me with your concerns or suggestions regarding our work in the General Assembly. I can be reached at home anytime or through the toll-free message line, 1-800-372-7181. You may e-mail me at Addia.Wuchner@lrc.ky.gov