This is an awesome story of the human spirit and faith. Victoria Chidester from Colorado will be competing in the U.S. Masters Swimming National Meet in Austin at the University of Texas Longhorns' Aquatics Center on May 2nd through May 4, 2008. She is battling Stage IV Colon Cancer the most advanced stage of the disease. She was diagnosed about 18 months ago. Defying all odds, Victoria still continues to competitively swim and undergo the rigors of chemotherapy. She is 51 years young, mother of four, and continues her high-tech career with Xilinx in Longmont, Colorado.
Victoria qualified to swim in the U.S. Masters National Swimming Meet last month at the Colorado State and Regional Meet last month in three events: 50 yd backstroke, 100 yd backstroke, and the 200 yd backstroke. Her doctor is calling her achievement and physical condition a miracle given the treatment regimen and diagnosis. She still has cancer and is not in remission. Many prayers from all over are being answered.
It is a reminder to all of us that no matter what happens to us in life we always have a choice to live a strong, positive life.
~ Jessica Bond, Medical Careerist
beating cancer
4 comments:
Dear Jessica,
I have a friend who was recently diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. Like Victoria, he is an accomplished athlete...marathon runner. I was wondering if there is a website to read more about Victoria's journery. Thanks.
JJ
I actually knew Victoria as Vicky years ago when we were members of the New Mexico Aquatic Club. She is an extraordinary person who has overcome a great deal of adversity in her life. She and I were very close at one time in our lives and I am devastated to learn of this ailment. I hope her spirit and strength will help her to cope with and hopefully beat this disease.
Mark Whigham. Dallas, TX
Victoria (Vicky) is one of the most courageous people I know. She is now on the Front Cover of U.S. Master Swimmer Magazine.
www.usmsswimmer.com
She sets a new standard in "Living Strong" and a challenge for all of us to live our life to the fullest and know that God is among us working miracles every day.
~ Jessica Bond
Victoria Chidester, 51, uses swimming as a mental and physical refuge from the stress and rigors of the chemotherapy she is taking. "I am passionate about swimming. It is as much a part of my therapy as my chemo treatments," Chidester says. "Since I was a swimmer from age 9, it keeps a high degree of normalcy in my life that is not just medical." Chidester competed in four events at the U.S. Masters Short Course Nationals in Austin, Texas, in May. Her doctors and nurses believe that her activity level in swimming has kept her blood counts in the normal range in spite of the chemo.
"The thing about swimming is that, even when I am fatigued, it is not difficult to exercise in the water; I can kick, pull, float and enjoy all kinds of variety without jeopardizing my joints," she says. "The swimming can be gentle or strenuous, which makes swimming the ideal sport, regardless of ability or disability."
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