Warrior Queen Strides Forward

~ slfuchs
Th Warrior Queen celebrates one year since major surgery for non-smoker’s lung cancer.

One year ago, on New Year’s Eve, my Warrior Queen was in the hospital of the Moffitt Cancer Center recovering from major surgery that removed 1/3 of her left lung that was afflicted with non smoker’s lung cancer.

Her recovery has been by no means easy. But she has been indefatigable!

With enormous courage Vickie has dealt with more kinds of pain than I can describe, adverse reactions to medication, coughing fits, sleepless nights and a never-ending array of tests, pokes and probes.

And yet she moves forward and continues to make amazing progress!

She has embraced — and been lovingly embraced by — the community of Temple Beth Shalom of Vero Beach, which I currently serve as interim rabbi. She does weights, Pilates, plays tennis (her overhead is better than mine as she does not hesitate to point out), and cheerfully endures lots of physical therapy.

I am in awe!

It would be premature to claim that she is “out of the woods,” but what is perhaps even more important is she lives and acts and strides forward as though she is.

In the photo above she is holding the scroll of the Torah. As I stare at that photo, I find myself unsure of where The Torah ends and Vickie begins. She embodies all of the attributes of kindness, caring and courage which the Torah represents.

As we are about to enter a new secular year, my most fervent prayer is that she will continue to stride forward to the Promised Land of Cure.

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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.

11 thoughts on “Warrior Queen Strides Forward”

  3. Calendar Date: Tuesday, December 31st, ( 2024 )

    Dear Rabbi Fuchs:

    Shalom Aleichem.

    I wish for you, your beautiful Wife Vickie, and your Family-Extended only the best that our Gregorian Calendar’s newly-arriving year has to offer.

    Our health is truly our wealth, Dear Rabbi, and I both wish as well as pray that you, Wife Vickie and Family may experience it in abundance.

    Please take very GOOD care.

    With best wishes, always.

    Aleichem Shalom.

    Mark Loveland

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  4. Dear Steve and Vickie,

    The wonderful picture you sent is a beautiful tribute to the amazing courage and resilience that Vickie has demonstrated. She is a role model for how to face such challenging situations and still embrace life.

    May the new (secular) year bring you both good health, joy and peace!

    Much love,

    Sandy Teger

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