FAMILY : Happily married for 43 years to Dennis Zachow; two married children and three grandchildren
OCCUPATION: Retired; former owner and operator of Walden Hall Christian Montessori Schools
DIAGNOSIS DATEs: 1997 and 2001
WHAT HELPED: Faith in God, support of family and friends, a positive attitude and much-improved nutrition. Also exercise -- playing golf and riding a bike with my husband and grandchildren.
OUTLOOK: In 1997, I had a lumpectomy followed by radiation treatments. In 2001, I had a recurrence and had a mastectomy with reconstructive surgery. I am free of cancer. I am on the Cancer Patient Advisory Council at MCG.
ADVICE: Trust in God. Live by faith. Do the best you can to build your immune system with good nutrition and supplements.
PERSONAL: In August 1997, the day after I had completed my 30th and final radiation treatment, I was walking my 9-month-old granddaughter around our backyard in her stroller while my mother watered flowers nearby. I asked Mother to watch Sarah while I went inside to prepare the baby's lunch. When I returned several minutes later, the grassy spot where I left Sarah playing in her stroller was empty. My mother, who was spraying flowers near the deep end of the swimming pool, had rolled the stroller closer to where she was watering but failed to apply the brake. The hose had pulled the stroller into the water and my mother, who was 78 and hard of hearing, hadn't heard the splash. I looked in the water and saw my granddaughter still buckled in the stroller resting on the drain in the middle of the pool. I was in my weakest state that day. A month prior to this, I had 28 lymph nodes removed and could hardly lift my right arm. God chose to perform a miracle. I dove in the water, which was 9 feet deep, and God gave me the strength to lift the baby and stroller to the side of pool. She was gray when I got her out of the water. I prayed "God help me!" while administering CPR. On the third attempt, she took a breath. Today Sarah (also pictured) is 11 years old and a gifted, straight-A student. She plays the piano, violin and softball.
OCTOBER IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
Comments
Thank God for miracles...allowing His healing grace for Mrs. Zachow and giving her the strength to rescue Sarah from the bottom of the pool in her weakest of times. Mrs. Zachow, better known as "Nini" to the countless children in our area who have had the privilege to know and love her, has made a lasting impression in so many hearts. I am grateful my family has had the opportunity to be touched by this very special lady.
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