Virginia Beach spent four years researching and writing hundreds of family history pages.
She began her memoirs with his ancestors' journey to America on the Mayflower in 1620, and through the generations, including the birth of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. His move in palliative care in 2014 due to a diagnostic pleural malignant mesothelioma is also part of the story.
But his story does not end there because mesothelioma did not win.
Beach, 88, miraculously recovered from cancer, palliative left and returned to independent living retired Presbyterian Community near Lancaster, Pennsylvania. . Now she is looking forward to the birth of the three largest grandchildren to add to his columns and his correspondence list more
Last month, she spent 10 years of brand survival for patient with malignant pleural mesothelioma - a rare moment -. beautiful doctors with his ability to fight against this incurable cancer
She also returned to the church choir and his work as a librarian at the retirement community
"My oncologist is not. that he is in remission. He says he's in control, "beach said recently at his home." I'm very lucky. When I originally diagnosed, I was given half a year to live. that was 10 years ago. Then last year, they said it was time for palliative care. the tumor had doubled in size, but after six months I graduated out. "
miracles happen.
The power of prayer
Beach is the daughter of a pastor and his wife a widow of a pastor. She firmly believes in the power of prayer. His faith never wavered. Each day begins and ends with a passage from the Bible. She gives thanks to God.
She mentions mesothelioma once in his 250-page autobiography. And it is only in passing - nothing more.
"I live with a lot of seniors here. Everyone suffers from one thing or another. I do not want to hear sad stories. I will not be one, "she said." It's not a big part of my life now, so I can not speak. It is not how I want my grandchildren to remember me. I an optimistic person who looks at the bright side. "
When Virginia was first diagnosed, they put his name in the church bulletin so that everyone could pray for her and other patients Cancer. As much as she appreciated the prayers, she asked the church members to withdraw his name. She believed that God handle it very well. And he has.
His father could have died in 54 years of lung cancer that doctors first thought she had. But his mother lived until 104 and made speeches in his community throughout his 0s
Virginia inherited strong genes from his mother.
Still Sharp and contact
She fought cancer malignant melanoma off in late 190. Her husband, Roger, suffered from dementia in the later years of his life and died in 09, leaving the most expensive souvenirs.
But there is a clarity, purpose and sharpness to it today that defies her age.
Beach has 20 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren in his five daughters who are spread across the country in Oregon, New York and Ohio. Some of her grandchildren also live far away as Japan, Thailand and Colombia.
A son-became minister. A small-son abroad is a church mission.
She maintains a spreadsheet with birth dates, anniversaries and each addresses wedding. Each year, it sends each member of the family Christmas and birthday cards with personalized, handwritten notes.
"It is a wonderful family," she said. "I've been blessed."
Sudden Health Scare
Range underwent eight cycles of chemotherapy shortly after being diagnosed ten years ago, and the doctors were pleased with the results . Since then, she opted against undergo any aggressive treatment.
But last summer, she became frightened by a sudden shortness of breath, prompting her oncologist recommended palliative care.
a nurse and a social worker started visiting regularly. her primary care doctor also continued to arrest. Even the local chaplain began making home visits. But his health improved, and she waved off much of the help they offered.
"After a while, the doctor told me my lungs were clear. I did not need them to do much, but the nurse will help me understand my iPad, and how to use it better, "she laughs." It was a great help to me. "
live an active and productive life
Beach today remains active and takes over the balance five days a week in a wellness center. She traveled to Oxford, Ohio earlier this summer for the wedding of a son and little-visited Portland last summer.
She uses her iPad to send emails to his daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren. the organizational skills she has learned over the years as a librarian are evident today in his writing.
family members help the format, edit and create graphics for his memoirs, but the beach remains total control, changing his story each time another event takes place in his life.
despite his mesothelioma, the beach has accomplished much in his life, and that's why it has aptly titled his memoirs "Journey to Joy. "
