Warrior Queen

~ slfuchs
Vickie, the Warrior Queen

When Rabbi Esther Hugenholtz saw a photo of Vickie when she was young on Facebook, she commented to me, ”You were clearly punching above your weight.”

I have never met Rabbi Hugenholtz in person, but clearly she was correct: in marrying Vickie I was ‘punching above my weight’. Nearly fifty years later I still am.

At the end of September 2022 Hurricane Ian hit and devastated our home in Sanibel Island. It was our “second hurricane” because a month earlier Vickie was diagnosed with Stage Three Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.

Six days before we had to evacuate the Island, she underwent her first of six chemotherapy treatments that were debilitating and that cost her all of her beautiful hair. But she beat back the disease and triumphantly “rang the bell” to symbolize the end of chemo at the renowned Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa.

The doctors told her she was ‘cancer free’.

You can imagine, therefore, how devastated we were to learn in November 2023 that Vickie, who had never smoked, had non-small cell lung cancer. She underwent major surgery at Moffit which took away the top third of her left lung.

Pain is not a strong enough word to describe what she has endured since.

But Vickie is a warrior. Her hair has grown back stronger than ever. Before chemo it was straight. Now it is curly. It looks, proud, fierce and beautiful. It typifies my wife.

After consultations with two oncologists, she will proceed with drug therapy to keep the cancer at bay. I will proudly carry the spear of Vickie, the Warrior Queen, as she fights and triumphs over this disease. I am in awe of her, and yes, Rabbi Hugenholtz, I am definitely, “punching above my weight.”

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Published by slfuchs

Loving husband, father, grandfather and rabbi. Author of, "What's in It for Me? Finding Ourselves in Biblical Narratives,” "ToraHighlights,” “Why the Kof?,” “Why Triple Chai?,” "Who Created God?," and "...And Often the First Jew." On October 17, 2017, Rabbi Fuchs was selected as the recipient of the Vanderbilt Divinity School's Distinguished Alumnus Award. To be considered for this award, one must demonstrate excellence and distinction in justice-making through their efforts in congregational ministry, religious institutions, non-denominational/all-inclusive organizations, community–based organizations, government, or other social institutions. Spent last four falls serving in Milan, Italy, (2013) and Germany (2014-2016). Otherwise, he enjoy writing and speaking after serving three congregations and as President of the World Union for Progressive Judaism. He is currently serving as Rabbi of Bat Yam Temple of the Islands, Sanibel, Florida.

14 thoughts on “Warrior Queen”

  1. What a beautiful article !!! So much love and truth! Vicky the warrior queen will be victorious as her name signs.
    May this Shabbat be of enormous blessing for you two.
    Love
    Yancy in Germany

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  3. Calendar Date: Saturday, February 3rd, ( 2024 )

    Dear Rabbi Fuchs,

    Shabbat Shalom ( ❤ )

    Lady Coretta Scott King articulated your volitional love, attention and affection for Vickie beautifully as a manifestation in her words of that of the "transcendent moral ethic."

    Lady Vicky Fuchs is, indeed, a lady of beauty and integrity.

    Please allow your beautiful Wife Vickie to know that her "Fan-Club" wishes for you to say "Hello ( ❤ )" to Her for them in their name ( I'm their spokesperson ) ?

    Thanking you in advance, Rabbi Fuchs.

    In appreciation.

    Shalom Shabbat ( ❤ )

    Best always,

    Mark Loveland

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  4. Dearest Rabbi Fuchs,
    Andrew and I send our loving and strong belief that your Warrior Queen Vickie, protected by your love and the deep commitment expressed, will help to keep her moving forward toward health and peace within.
    Our love to your beautiful Vickie and to her Warrior King!
    Ellen and Andrew Stokoe
    PS It was a miracle that somehow I saw this article..let them continue.

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  6. Stephen, your latest update is a powerful combination of shocking, heartbreaking and inspiring. The news, in a word, stinks! I’m so sorry. You have endured so much together, but the most enduring thing is your beautiful love for each other; surely it will be a force that helps conquer this and any foe life sends your way!

    Vickie is indeed a Warrior Queen. How lucky she is to have her Knight in Shining Armor by her side on this journey neither of you expected or wanted to take. I’m sending healing prayers and heaps of hope in your direction.

    – Linda Campanella

    P.S. Her curls look great!

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  7. Dear Stephen,

    Vicky looks so beautiful on the picture. Part of it is her beautiful heart radiating through the camera all the way to Germany. I think both of you together manage to radiate such generosity. I am grateful to have been a receiver of that. Sending love and strength for Vicky’s recovery from surgery and with that medication. I hope you find nice things to do together despite everything else.

    Love from Germany Navah

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