Q108 is recognizing the strong women of our community. Do you know someone who's been through something difficult in their life... the kind of event that's life changing... and yet they survived, they persevered, and came through the other side with a smile on their face?
Think about a woman you know that should be recognized then click below and tell us her story. Q108 will pick one woman every month and tell her story to the world.
My best friend Dawn is an inspiration to all women. She lost her son Spencer only 2 days after he was born. After dealing with this situation, she became pregnant again and moved to Germany with her husband. This time she was blessed with a beautiful little girl named Heidi. Only 2 years later she was blessed with another little girl Heather. When Heidi was 10 years old she and Heather were visiting their grandmother in upstate New York for a few weeks. One terrible evening they were involved in a car accident. Heidi was killed instantly and Heather sustained cuts, bruise and broken bones. My friend Dawn and her husband were here in Clarksville and the accident happened in New York. I can't even imagine what it was like to have to make that phone call as well as receive it. Since then She has had a house fire which caused massive damage to their house. Then a few years later a broken water pipe that flooded half her house. I just don't know how much more one human can take. She is the strongest woman I know and she is my "Woman of Courage".
Our March honoree... Amy Goodwin
Amy was diagnosed with breast cancer in the spring of 2008. She underwent 2 surgeries, has done 8 months of chemo and now in addition to the chemo she has radiation treatments daily. Amy has missed maybe 2 days of work due to this ordeal. She continues to coach gymnastics, which can be very physically exhausting, her husband is military and frequently gone, and she cares for her daughter Mya (2yrs old). Amy has never once complained about her situation, is always concerned about the schedule at Action gymnastics, the level of training of the gymnasts and their preparation for competition. Amy has never put herself "first" although she has every right to. She is a rock! We are so lucky to have her.
Our February honoree... Doris Cooley
Doris Cooley is truly a woman of courage. She defines and brings the definition of courage to new levels. Her road of courage started in 1997 when her husband was diagnosed with Leukemia. She battle the chemo treatments with him. Celebrated his remissions, only to battle with more chemo. Lets fast forward almost 10 years. In the spring of 2008. Tony's oncologist had mentioned a stem cell transplant. With much consideration understanding that this was a new procedure and it would not come easy they decided to go forward with the procedure. With months of preparation going to different doctors have test ran etc. In late July, after some failed attempted at finding a stem cell donor. It had been done. The donor was found, the phone call was made and Tony was on his way to get the Stem Cell treatment. However before the Stem Cell transplant could take place Tony had to have very harsh chemo to wipe his immune system clean. In the mean time. Doris packed up the essentials for living, and moved to Nashville. Putting her job, life and family on hold in order to stay right by her husbands side. She never left his side, thru the good and bad. She spent every hour with him. Good and bad times. Once the stem cell transplant was completed. They both were released to The Hope Lodge in Nashville. Going to clinic sometimes twice a day. Sharing a building with many other families. Having to prepare meals in a commons area with a very sick husband. She turned what could be a very bad situation a good one! Eventually they were moved to Vandy Villages which is more like an apartment. Keep in mind they are not seeing their family due to the increased chance of catching an illness. Tony's immune system was nothing! She took care of him. Giving him Medication, running to pharmacies in order to get medication that he had to have, making sure that he ate what he should. She was having to be his cheerleader, nurse, wife, and main support system. She never broke. She always had encouraging words to say and smile on her face. After many trips back and forth to clinic appointments which could last for hours depending on the treatments that he had to get, they finally were released to come home in Mid December. Tony has been back in Vanderbilt several times. The last time he was in the hospital he was there for 31 days. He has had to endure Physical Therapy at Vanderbilt. Doris has never left his side. He is still fighting, but he is Cancer free, is he still fighting to get back to normal it has been a long road filled with upsets, set back and great defeats for them. She is still helping him fight. Still has not left his side. Doris, my mother, she has shown nothing but courage during the past seven months. Where most people would throw in the towel she was picking them up washing them and using them again! She is a fighter and truly a woman of courage. Please accept this nomination for the Woman of Courage.
Our August honoree... Suzanne Gassett
I will tell you a story about the most courageous woman I know...her name is Suzanne Gassett. For years she took care of her husband who was on daily dialysis that was done at home and for those of you that know anything about it you know what that involves. She completely had to restructure her lifestyle to help and accommodate her husband. After several years her husband became strong enough for Suzanne to be a kidney donor for him. Surgery went well for her husband, unfortunately for her she went thru hell and back (and I mean hell and back). She suffered from multiple kinds of complicatons (internal bleeding, cardiac problems, etc...) She ended up having more surgeries to correct things that went wrong. She received transfusions and was put on life support for some time. When she was stablilized whe was moved to St. Thomas Hospital and she had open heart surgery. She received a new valve and some by-passes. She struggled for almost 2 years trying to gain back her strength and return to a normal lifestyle. Two years after the surgery her husband's kidney failed. She is back to taking care of him and doing everyday life's chores that he can no longer do. She always remains strong and is an inspiration to all and an inspiration to what love is all about.
