Ginny's Story
*Author's note: This story was written as an interview with Ginny - not about Relay for Life and what it means to her, but about her life and how she coped with this disease. On September 10, 2010 Ginny lost her battle with cancer. The story was written and published prior to her death, therefore it speaks in the present-tense. The song you're hearing is a Ginny favorite and is referenced in the following article.
Please help us share her story of unfailing faith.
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Once upon a time there was a young woman who lived in the countryside of Laurel, Montana. She was 29-years-old, mother to a beautifully red-headed 3-year-old girl, a wife of seven years, daughter, sister, and faithful believer in Jesus. She also had cancer.
However, this is clearly no fairy tale; rather it is the very real story of Ginny Hein, now 33-years-old. She has been battling cancer for four years with no reprieve in sight. At this point there are no further treatments for Ginny to try, though she has remained strong in her faith and her future stating, “I just know that I have hope for my future no matter what, and that I am already living in the Kingdom of Heaven so I don't need to worry when I step across that threshold.”
Come along with us as we get to know Ginny and experience the incredible inspiration she is and has been as she’s fought each day against this vicious disease.
The Diagnosis
Initially Ginny began seeing her doctor for hormone problems. At first Ginny was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), which turned out to be Cushing’s syndrome. With Cushing’s syndrome comes a 99% chance of a tumor on an adrenal gland or pituitary gland that is benign and needs to be removed and replaced with hormone therapy. That is typically the end of the process. However…
In June of 2006 Ginny was diagnosed with Adrenal Cortical Carcinoma following a surgery to remove the tumor from her adrenal gland. A biopsy was completed at the Mayo Clinic. This particular type of cancer is extremely rare “affecting only 1 to 2 persons per one million population,” according to WebMD.
Treatment
Ginny has undergone four types of chemotherapy, one attempt at radiation therapy, and six different rounds of mitotane treatment. She has also endured six surgeries. As previously stated, there are no additional courses of treatment for Ginny to try at this point.
How cancer has impacted…
When asking Ginny how this battle (cliché, though it might sound, it’s so true) has impacted her marriage, family, parenting, and faith - here’s what she had to say:
Marriage - The process of going through this has made me appreciate my husband more than ever. This illness has made us grow so close together.
Family - I have the greatest group of family and friends in the entire world. My church is just as great and they all take such good care of me. They love me more than anything and that is the greatest feeling in the world.
Parenting - I try to assess every moment to make sure this is a discipline moment or just a time together learning moment that does not require my yelling! Ginny’s brother noted, My sister has focused her entire life on her daughter. I wouldn't say it changed the way I parent, but it definitely inspired me to cherish every day no matter what's going on personally.
Additionally, Ginny reflected, with all the challenges she has faced dealing with cancer, being a parent has been a great blessing to her. It was God's plan [for me to be a parent]; I see such great things in my daughter.
Faith - While Ginny noted Jesus has been her greatest help in navigating this illness, she also had this to say when this writer inquired to her ability to stand strong against this great test of faith: Even Paul doubted at times. I have my moments. The only way I can be this strong and carry on each day is because Jesus is holding my hand each step of each way. Through the valley, through the peak, through the storms and through the calm. In fact, I have been carried a LOT of the time - like the poem “Footprints in the Sand” and that is when I realize how much I need Him.
Getting to know Jesus is the best thing that has happened EVER in my life and I know that no matter what storm is lying ahead, He is there with me to drive it away or take me directly through the eye. If it's straight forward, I am NOT afraid, because He is there and he will bring me out on the other side. BRING ON THE TORNADO!
Those who love her
Thoughts from Ginny’s brother, Justin: Watching my sister go through this has been a mix of emotions. First it was anger that she had to go through it; some selfishness on my part. Then it was a "learning experience" to see my sister have such a positive attitude towards knowing where she was going if it did take her life.
If you were to go to the Guest Book of Ginny’s CaringBridge page you would find a constant refrain of admiration in Ginny’s faith, strength, and a voicing of the inspiration that is Ginny and how she lives her life. To sum it up, her brother said, Ginny's faith alone has inspired anyone who has known her. To this day, she continues to trust in God's Will. That's an inspiration to anyone who is struggling with their walk with God.
Final thoughts
Ginny’s story is one that needed to be told if only to be a source of hope and inspiration to not only other families who are going through something similar, but to all of us as we continue to put the daily pieces of our lives together one day at a time. Regardless of what’s happening in Ginny’s life and with her illness, she has maintained her ‘true north’ and that is her faith. It’s easy to believe in something when the going is good, but it’s a true testament to her strength and faith that when the going got rough she held on.
Parents - Ginny offered a great piece of advice in navigating daily parenting struggles. At least once a day, choose to say “yes,” when you would’ve said “no.”
I hope in some way Ginny’s story has had some meaning to you. She is indeed an amazingly strong woman, who continues to be a great source of inspiration to many. I challenge you, as Justin stated, to cherish each day, regardless of what’s going on in your life.
I’ll leave you with an excerpt from Ginny’s theme song, so to speak:
Be strong in the Lord And never give up hope
You’re gonna do great things I already know God’s got His hand on you
So don’t live life in fear Forgive and forget but don’t forget why you’re here
Take your time and pray These are the words I would say…
--From the song The Words I Would Say by the Sidewalk Prophets
**This article was written for and posted on Examiner.com, by Rebecca Stewart. Many people responded to this article, if you'd like to view the comments, click here.
Please help us share her story of unfailing faith.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Once upon a time there was a young woman who lived in the countryside of Laurel, Montana. She was 29-years-old, mother to a beautifully red-headed 3-year-old girl, a wife of seven years, daughter, sister, and faithful believer in Jesus. She also had cancer.
However, this is clearly no fairy tale; rather it is the very real story of Ginny Hein, now 33-years-old. She has been battling cancer for four years with no reprieve in sight. At this point there are no further treatments for Ginny to try, though she has remained strong in her faith and her future stating, “I just know that I have hope for my future no matter what, and that I am already living in the Kingdom of Heaven so I don't need to worry when I step across that threshold.”
Come along with us as we get to know Ginny and experience the incredible inspiration she is and has been as she’s fought each day against this vicious disease.
The Diagnosis
Initially Ginny began seeing her doctor for hormone problems. At first Ginny was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), which turned out to be Cushing’s syndrome. With Cushing’s syndrome comes a 99% chance of a tumor on an adrenal gland or pituitary gland that is benign and needs to be removed and replaced with hormone therapy. That is typically the end of the process. However…
In June of 2006 Ginny was diagnosed with Adrenal Cortical Carcinoma following a surgery to remove the tumor from her adrenal gland. A biopsy was completed at the Mayo Clinic. This particular type of cancer is extremely rare “affecting only 1 to 2 persons per one million population,” according to WebMD.
Treatment
Ginny has undergone four types of chemotherapy, one attempt at radiation therapy, and six different rounds of mitotane treatment. She has also endured six surgeries. As previously stated, there are no additional courses of treatment for Ginny to try at this point.
How cancer has impacted…
When asking Ginny how this battle (cliché, though it might sound, it’s so true) has impacted her marriage, family, parenting, and faith - here’s what she had to say:
Marriage - The process of going through this has made me appreciate my husband more than ever. This illness has made us grow so close together.
Family - I have the greatest group of family and friends in the entire world. My church is just as great and they all take such good care of me. They love me more than anything and that is the greatest feeling in the world.
Parenting - I try to assess every moment to make sure this is a discipline moment or just a time together learning moment that does not require my yelling! Ginny’s brother noted, My sister has focused her entire life on her daughter. I wouldn't say it changed the way I parent, but it definitely inspired me to cherish every day no matter what's going on personally.
Additionally, Ginny reflected, with all the challenges she has faced dealing with cancer, being a parent has been a great blessing to her. It was God's plan [for me to be a parent]; I see such great things in my daughter.
Faith - While Ginny noted Jesus has been her greatest help in navigating this illness, she also had this to say when this writer inquired to her ability to stand strong against this great test of faith: Even Paul doubted at times. I have my moments. The only way I can be this strong and carry on each day is because Jesus is holding my hand each step of each way. Through the valley, through the peak, through the storms and through the calm. In fact, I have been carried a LOT of the time - like the poem “Footprints in the Sand” and that is when I realize how much I need Him.
Getting to know Jesus is the best thing that has happened EVER in my life and I know that no matter what storm is lying ahead, He is there with me to drive it away or take me directly through the eye. If it's straight forward, I am NOT afraid, because He is there and he will bring me out on the other side. BRING ON THE TORNADO!
Those who love her
Thoughts from Ginny’s brother, Justin: Watching my sister go through this has been a mix of emotions. First it was anger that she had to go through it; some selfishness on my part. Then it was a "learning experience" to see my sister have such a positive attitude towards knowing where she was going if it did take her life.
If you were to go to the Guest Book of Ginny’s CaringBridge page you would find a constant refrain of admiration in Ginny’s faith, strength, and a voicing of the inspiration that is Ginny and how she lives her life. To sum it up, her brother said, Ginny's faith alone has inspired anyone who has known her. To this day, she continues to trust in God's Will. That's an inspiration to anyone who is struggling with their walk with God.
Final thoughts
Ginny’s story is one that needed to be told if only to be a source of hope and inspiration to not only other families who are going through something similar, but to all of us as we continue to put the daily pieces of our lives together one day at a time. Regardless of what’s happening in Ginny’s life and with her illness, she has maintained her ‘true north’ and that is her faith. It’s easy to believe in something when the going is good, but it’s a true testament to her strength and faith that when the going got rough she held on.
Parents - Ginny offered a great piece of advice in navigating daily parenting struggles. At least once a day, choose to say “yes,” when you would’ve said “no.”
I hope in some way Ginny’s story has had some meaning to you. She is indeed an amazingly strong woman, who continues to be a great source of inspiration to many. I challenge you, as Justin stated, to cherish each day, regardless of what’s going on in your life.
I’ll leave you with an excerpt from Ginny’s theme song, so to speak:
Be strong in the Lord And never give up hope
You’re gonna do great things I already know God’s got His hand on you
So don’t live life in fear Forgive and forget but don’t forget why you’re here
Take your time and pray These are the words I would say…
--From the song The Words I Would Say by the Sidewalk Prophets
**This article was written for and posted on Examiner.com, by Rebecca Stewart. Many people responded to this article, if you'd like to view the comments, click here.