On Nov. 19, 2013, I found myself at MIB Cooperstown hospital emergency room after complaining of severe lower stomach pains.  I was diagnosed with Ovarian cancer and transported immediately to Albany Medical Hospital.

After having extensive tests throughout the week, and 27 liters of ascites (cancer fluid) removed from my abdomen, I was introduced to the Albany Dist. Women’s Cancer Team.  They gave me further diagnoses of Stage IIIC Ovarian Cancer with a prognosis of 3-5 years, pending scheduled surgery the following week.  I was advised that I could and should go home with my husband, spend a few days with family, to “get things in order,” as the surgery was “high risk” with the possibility that I might not make it through.

On Nov 27th, the day before Thanksgiving, Dr. Heidi Godoy from Albany Womens’ Cancer Team, came in on her scheduled day off, with out-of-town family waiting at home for her to celebrate the holiday, and performed my surgery at St. Peter’s Hospital.  By God’s grace, I truly believe she was my God-given-angel who extended my life that day.  She removed 7 cancerous tumors, and performed “debulking,”  which meant to me no chance of having any children other than my four-legged son, Houdini, nor the likelihood of ever getting appendicitis, which also meant the cancer had spread.  So life, as I knew it, was never going to be the same from that point forward.  

Being married to a 100% disabled Vietnam veteran for whom I was supposed to eventually be the caregiver, living my life grateful that God brought us together so I could be my husband’s support, I never thought that it would be the other way around.  So God had more plans for us 18 years ago when we spoke those famous marriage vows.  For this and many other reasons, I know that once we turn everything over to Him, what we think/want is not always in alignment with what His plans are for our life.  So I’ve learned more than ever to “Live, and let Him.”  

What a life-altering year it has been since diagnosis.  I have undergone debulking surgery, port implant surgery, 27 weekly sessions of chemotherapy, all the additional physical changes that come along with that, a blood transfusion, hernia, and now I continue to have blood work and Catscans done to monitor my CA 125 cancer count, which has been rising.

As I “rest” to build strength for what will be next, with the help of other angels at Bassett Wound Center, Dr. Moglia and Chris McCarty-Voulo, RPA-C and staff, I am healing an open wound, due to chemo, which resulted in staph infection, and . . . am waiting for the o.k. to have the hernia operation!

During my journey this past year, it may sound odd to say, but I have been so blessed.  It’s during the difficult times in life when we bring ourselves back to appreciate more than ever, the God-given life we have and those who share this short period of time together.  So I thank God every day for giving me more time on earth to spend with my dear family and friends . . . to reconnect with many from my past, to continue to enjoy those who have always been in my present and for having been blessed to welcome new friends and family into my life who I look forward to spending more time with in the future.  For this I thank first and foremost my Father above and my husband Bill, who have been ever present, every step along the way, and those of you who have been with me through the valleys and there on the mountaintops of life with me. I give thanks to each and every one of you, grateful to have grown up within my small town “family” in Milford.  I must say that after being out of the area, and moving back “home” several years ago, now more than ever I have realized just how fortunate, and blessed I have been.  My journey thus far has not been easy, but has been empowering in learning the awe of God’s hand in it all!!

Being nominated by my “sister” Deirdre Beach-Yerdon, as one of the Polar Bear recipients for the Portlandville United Methodist Church is such an honor for me and has reminded me once again how very blessed I am to have all of you. No words could possibly express the tremendous heartfelt gratitude I hold for all of you . . .  and all you do, year in and year out, in helping so many, especially in time of need.

I know there is so much more to life as we know it here on earth.  The amount of time God gives me before he calls me home I’m grateful for.  For without the loving, caring support and special moments had with all of my “family,”whether in life’s valleys or on the mountaintops, from this day forward  I embrace those I can spend with all my “brothers” and “sisters” here on earth. For without those, life would be but an illusion.

 “Life is not a matter of Milestones, but of moments.” - Rose Kennedy.

God Bless all of you.

Bridget M. Fish-Graves (nee Heck) - Former 1982 Milford Central School graduate, and Rotary Int’l exchange student to Cochabamba, Bolivia representing Dist. #717, now residing in Oneonta, NY.