Hope and determination-just a few of the things one can learn from one Alabama teen, who, at her young age, has already battled cancer. And hopefully she has won. Elizabeth Walters' story begins in September of 2007, at age 15, when a riding accident caused three compressed vertebrae. However, by the summer of 2008, the pain in her back and chest hadn't gone away; it just kept getting worse. In addition, it was getting hard for Elizabeth to breathe.
Her mother, Jeannie, became increasingly concerned, and after an eighth-place finish at the Middle Tennessee Pony Club Horse Trials, she wanted more answers than questions. After visiting several doctors in the search for a diagnosis, an x-ray showed a shadow, and then a biopsy was done. Elizabeth was finally diagnosed with a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The mass took up one lung-about the size of a football. The word “cancer” can strike fear into anyone's mind. But with the help of her family, friends, and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Elizabeth began treatment, which included chemotherapy. During five rounds of chemotherapy, she would spend one week at St. Jude getting treatment, then two weeks at home.
In addition, to her support from people, it was her love of horses that got her through the intensive treatments. And one horse in particular-her horse, Montini. Montini is a 11-year-old Thoroughbred gelding, and a grandson to the great racehorse Seattle Slew.
Elizabeth's journey with horses began at age two when she got her first pony. And it wasn't long before the thrill of competition got this horse crazy girl into shows and then eventing. Along with caring doctors at St. Jude, it was her dedication to equestrian sport and Montini that helped her beat her illness.
By early 2009 Elizabeth had returned to riding, and by working closely with her trainer, Candi Wheeler, she managed to compete in the Mid-South Pony Club Horse Trials in Lexington, KY, in June, placing fourth out of 21 riders in the Novice division. In October she placed fifth at the Middle Tennessee Pony Club Horse Trials. She is currently cancer-free, but not after a scare of a second mass, which turned out to be a build-up of scar tissue.
Elizabeth's story was brought to the attention of USEF staff through a video of her interview onThe Today Show. She was accompanied her mother and Marlo Thomas, the National Outreach Director for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Upon seeing her story, we thought it would be a good idea to bring more of the story to ClubEquestrian.com visitors.
So, after speaking with Elizabeth on the phone, I wished I could have done her interview in person. She sounded so sweet and likeable, as if I could hear her smiling on the other end, especially when she talked about her horse. She certainly is an inspiration to anyone dealing with cancer.
It is such a widespread disease, with so many different forms, that it would be hard to find someone who has not known a cancer patient. My first experience with it was when I was young, and a dear neighbor passed away from cancer. And then in my early college years, I had to deal with a melanoma, or skin cancer. We caught it just in time though, and it had not spread to the lymph nodes, so I consider myself quite lucky. Of course, those who have had skin cancer are seven times more likely than those who have not had it to get it again, according to my dermatologist. So I must always remain vigilant.
And then my uncle went through colon cancer, which spread to his lymph nodes, and then liver cancer. When doctors told him he had only five years to live, it was quite a scary time. Luckily, it is now long past that time, and he is now considered a “miracle patient” since he is living cancer free. I only hope it will stay that way. He is my inspiration when I hear of someone dealing with cancer, because thereare ways to beat it, in many cases.
And now I have another inspiration with the story of Elizabeth Walters. And even in the brief time I spoke with her, it was great to hear of her love for her horse. It makes me think of the healing power of horses, or animals in general. Through her connection with St. Jude, she is trying to give hope to those dealing with cancer and show other patients that youcan beat this disease. I wish her luck, and also continued success with her equestrian career, and anything else she may tackle in life. Below is our interview.
Tell me about your equestrian career.
I started riding when I was two. My mom started me out doing saddle seat, but then I switched over to jumping at six or seven years old. I got my second pony and started doing little shows. I did my first horse trial in 2006. I competed in beginner novice for a year. In late 2007 or early 2008 I moved to novice. I competed at training level in October.
How did you get Montini, and what makes Montini so special to you?
I got him in 2008. It was in late spring, in April, when I got him, and I had been doing a lot of beginner novice events. He was down the street from my barn. We went to look at him and tried him out, but he was out of our price range. But eventually we got the price down.
He's awesome. Such a gentle giant really. He's definitely different from any horse I have had. He's 18 hands, really big, and he is so game for everything. We have a really good trust. He trusts me to not face him at anything he can't do, and I trust him.
How did you get through your illness? What were your thoughts upon thinking the cancer had returned, and how did you and your doctors deal with it?
It was really difficult. I realized once I got sick I wasn't going to be able to ride. It was a very aggressive treatment. Everyone at St. Jude was awesome. Even though I couldn't see him [Montini], I knew he was doing good. My trainer took care of him and kept sending me pictures, so I knew he was doing good.
I couldn't believe it. The first time was a big shock. The second time was an even bigger shock. Again, my horse was a big concern. Thank goodness it was not a cancerous tumor. Mostly scar tissue build-up. I shouldn't have any more issues. They were just going in for another biopsy, and it turned out to be just the scar tissue, and it wasn't really big enough, so they took it out right then. It was a last minute thing while they were in there.
How are you doing now?
I'm doing great. I'm so glad to be on Montini, and even back in school. I am enjoying normal life and hopefully competing again this spring.
What other hobbies do you have?
I really just ride. Riding and school are my entire life.
What grade are you in, and do you know what you might want to do for a living?
I'm a junior. It changes from day to day. Right now I want to be a vet.
What was the biggest challenge you have dealt with?
Being away from regular life. You don't really know how much you should appreciate things until it's taken away from you. It was difficult to be away from my friends and Montini. But I knew one day I would be back on him, so that gave me a lot of hope.
How did Montini respond to your absence from riding and to your return?
I think we have a good enough connection and that he knew there was something wrong, so he was fine, but my return was awesome. We started right where we left off.
What advice would you give to a rider who must deal with such an illness or a severe injury?
I know for me that horses have always been a way to get away from things, and they were what gave me hope the whole time. I kept thinking “one day when I'm back on Montini.” That's what you have to focus on. Visiting him was a big part of it. That made my month.
What would you like to accomplish with your equestrian career in the future?
Everything possible. I've always hoped one day to go to Rolex, but I know how difficult that can be. I've gone once [to watch] a few years ago. We're just going to see how things go. He's been off for a month, hopefully we can do a training event in the spring.
How did you come to represent St. Jude?
It's a crazy story. I was in the cafeteria of St. Jude, and had a Rolex shirt on. Someone asked me about it. I was telling them I did have a horse, and they were really interested in my story. I did a small interview, which went on St. Jude website. Then people from The Today Show saw it.
What was it like to be on The Today Show?
It was so much fun. I was really nervous,
What do you hope to achieve through your representation of St. Jude?
I really just hope to be sort of an example for the kids who are in chemo and radiation and to let them know that one day they will be a survivor. And also to help with different fundraising.
How did your family and friends support you?
They were the best. I had so many people come to talk to me, pray for me-people I hadn't talked to in a long time. I had three really close friends, my mom and my dad. They were just really great. My trainer especially. They did the St. Jude Marathon and made t-shirts and armbands.
Is there anything else you want to add?
I'm so grateful for St. Jude and for my horse.
If you wish to donate to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, visitwww.stjude.org .