To start off, I would like to share a little of my life with you. At the age of 17 years old, I was told that I had Osteosarcoma (bone cancer) below my left knee. This was very hard for me to accept because I was into a lot of sports. I was told that I was going to have to have my left leg amputated above the knee and also go through 9 months of chemotherapy. This was so hard for me to deal with, but I did. As long as I can remember I have always had a lot of will power. My father died when I was 8 years old, but I can remember him always telling me that life is so special and you should never let anything get you down. He was a very strong man and I have a lot of his strength in me. I went through a lot of emotions and denial, but I grew stronger because I wanted one thing and that was to live. About 3 years later, I met my husband. I was always scared that no man would ever love me for me, but this man did. In 1986 I was married. My husband and I were so happy. In March of 1987, I found out that I had osteosarcoma (bone cancer) in my lung. This was 5 years and 2 weeks since I lost my left leg above the knee. This was less than a year of marriage. We both were so scared, but my will power to live and my husband's love got me through this again. Well, 10 months after the removal of 40% of my right lung, I gave birth to a beautiful 9 pound baby boy. Since this time we now have 2 beautiful girls. My children are my life and strength. My husband is so wonderful. Our children are now 8, 6 and 5 years old. I now devote my lift to helping amputee's and cancer patients. I feel that God has given me life to help others to overcome and live a normal life. I am a fighter and I always will be. My disability is just a word someone has placed on me and I will live my life as normal as I can. I have found that as long as I have faith in myself, that I can overcome anything. May God bless you all.
Sincerely,
Nan McGowan, Age 32Editors Note: Reach Out would like to thank Nan McGowan for the article and we wish her well. If anyone is interested in contacting her, she can be reached by sending email to: LMcgo64237@aol.com.
Copyright © 1996 Reach Out Magazine
Publisher, Jim Jakubek